Dakota County
NE · Pop. 21,331 · Suburban County
Dakota County sits in Nebraska across 264 square miles, home to 21,331 people at 80.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $168,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F and average winter lows of 12.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercyone Siouxland is 10.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% 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.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 157-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.59% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Dakota County, NE is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 1.59%
- Growing season
- 157 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.7"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercyone Siouxland, 10.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dakota County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dakota County?
- Dakota County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercyone Siouxland is 10.9 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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The closest counties to Dakota 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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