Douglas County
NE · Pop. 585,461 · Urban County
Douglas County sits in Nebraska across 326 square miles, home to 585,461 people at 1795.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $246,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 15°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Nebraska Methodist Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% 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.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Nebraska Methodist Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% 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.
- 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.75% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Douglas County, NE is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $246k
- Property tax
- 1.75%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.6"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Nebraska Methodist Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Douglas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Douglas County?
- Douglas County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 15°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $246,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.75%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Nebraska Methodist Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 19 hospitals in the county.
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 Douglas 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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