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Dawson County

NE · Pop. 24,020 · Rural County

53/100Homestead Score

Dawson County, Nebraska covers 1,014 square miles with a population of 24,020 and a density of 23.7 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 $158,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.26%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F and average winter lows of 15.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lexington Regional Health Center is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.26%
Growing Season: 164 days
Broadband: 92.1%
Density: 23.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Lexington Regional Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 23.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

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 164-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
53/100
Median home price
$158k
Property tax
1.26%
Growing season
164 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
23.4"
Broadband
92.1%
Nearest hospital
Lexington Regional Health Center, 6.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.26%
Median Household Income$65,383
Poverty Rate12.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$158K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season164 days
Annual Rainfall23.4 inches
Avg Summer High84.2°F
Avg Winter Low15.8°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalLexington Regional Health Center (6.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage92.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dawson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dawson County?
Dawson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F, and average winter lows of 15.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.26%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Lexington Regional Health Center is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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.