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Dodge County

NE · Pop. 37,146 · Suburban County

48/100Homestead Score

Dodge County, Nebraska covers 529 square miles with a population of 37,146 and a density of 70.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $188,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.38% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F and average winter lows of 15.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 31 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Methodist Fremont Health is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.38%
Growing Season: 164 days
Broadband: 99.2%
Density: 70.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $188,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Methodist Fremont Health, with an emergency room, is just 11.7 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.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.

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.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • 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

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

Homestead score
48/100
Median home price
$188k
Property tax
1.38%
Growing season
164 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
31"
Broadband
99.2%
Nearest hospital
Methodist Fremont Health, 11.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.38%
Median Household Income$71,294
Poverty Rate9.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$188K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season164 days
Annual Rainfall31 inches
Avg Summer High84.8°F
Avg Winter Low15.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMethodist Fremont Health (11.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dodge County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dodge County?
Dodge County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F, and average winter lows of 15.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $188,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.38%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Methodist Fremont Health is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.