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Cedar County

NE · Pop. 8,344 · Rural County

50/100Homestead Score

Cedar County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 740 square miles with 8,344 residents at a density of 11.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $176,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.04%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 12.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is 20.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.04%
Growing Season: 160 days
Broadband: 91.2%
Density: 11.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $176,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 91.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 11.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.5% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 160-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • The nearest hospital, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, is 20.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 12.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Cedar County, NE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
50/100
Median home price
$176k
Property tax
1.04%
Growing season
160 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
28.2"
Broadband
91.2%
Nearest hospital
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, 20.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.04%
Median Household Income$73,977
Poverty Rate6.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$176K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season160 days
Annual Rainfall28.2 inches
Avg Summer High82.6°F
Avg Winter Low12.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado5/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAvera Sacred Heart Hospital (20.1 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage91.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Cedar County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Cedar County?
Cedar County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $176,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.04%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 91.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is 20.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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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.