Clay County
NE · Pop. 6,084 · Rural County
Clay County, Nebraska covers 572 square miles with a population of 6,084 and a density of 10.6 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 $146,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.29%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F and average winter lows of 16°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association is 18.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $146,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.4% 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 10.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association, is 18.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Clay County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $146k
- Property tax
- 1.29%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.8"
- Broadband
- 99.4%
- Nearest hospital
- The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association, 18.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F, and average winter lows of 16°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $146,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.29%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association is 18.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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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.
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