How affordable is land and property here?

The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.34%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.

Is broadband internet available?

Broadband reaches 84.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.

Dawes County

NE · Pop. 8,212 · Rural County

54/100Homestead Score

Dawes County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 1,396 square miles with 8,212 residents at a density of 5.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $147,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 11.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Chadron Community Hospital, Inc is 9.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.34%

Growing Season: 129 days

Broadband: 84.1%

Density: 5.9/sq mi

Pros

A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
Chadron Community Hospital, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 9.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
At 5.9 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

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 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
Annual rainfall of just 18.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
An effective property tax rate of 1.34% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

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

Homestead score: 54/100
Median home price: $147k
Property tax: 1.34%
Growing season: 129 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall: 18.1"
Broadband: 84.1%
Nearest hospital: Chadron Community Hospital, Inc, 9.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.34%

Median Household Income$54,381

Poverty Rate12.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$147K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a

Growing Season129 days

Annual Rainfall18.1 inches

Avg Summer High86.7°F

Avg Winter Low11.1°F

Top CropsHay, Wheat, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10

Wildfire9/10

Tornado3/10

Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalChadron Community Hospital, Inc (9.8 mi)

Emergency RoomYes

Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage84.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%

Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dawes County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dawes County?: Dawes County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 11.1°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?: The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.34%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?: Broadband reaches 84.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?: Chadron Community Hospital, Inc is 9.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Data sources

Verified June 2026

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.