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Custer County

NE · Pop. 10,544 · Rural County

58/100Homestead Score

Custer County, Nebraska covers 2,575 square miles with a population of 10,544 and a density of 4.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.15%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F and average winter lows of 13.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.15%
Growing Season: 143 days
Broadband: 87.4%
Density: 4.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 4.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.4% 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 143-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 13.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Custer County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
58/100
Median home price
$161k
Property tax
1.15%
Growing season
143 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
23.3"
Broadband
87.4%
Nearest hospital
Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.15%
Median Household Income$66,310
Poverty Rate8.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$161K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season143 days
Annual Rainfall23.3 inches
Avg Summer High82.5°F
Avg Winter Low13.1°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado6/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalJennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage87.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Custer County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Custer County?
Custer County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F, and average winter lows of 13.1°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.15%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 87.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, Inc is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.