Blaine County
NE · Pop. 385 · Rural County
Blaine County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 711 square miles with 385 residents at a density of 0.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. A median home price of $102,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.19% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 12°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc is 40.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $102,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 0.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 140-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc, is 40.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 12°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Blaine County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $102k
- Property tax
- 1.19%
- Growing season
- 140 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.2"
- Broadband
- 89.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc, 40.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Blaine County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Blaine County?
- Blaine County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 12°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $102,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.19%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc is 40.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Blaine County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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