Skip to content
Submit

Frontier County

NE · Pop. 2,562 · Rural County

51/100Homestead Score

Frontier County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 975 square miles with 2,562 residents at a density of 2.6 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 $139,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 13.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 22 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc is 21 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.43%
Growing Season: 147 days
Broadband: 92.8%
Density: 2.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $139,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 92.8% 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.
  • At 2.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 147-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.43% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • The nearest hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc, is 21 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 13.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
51/100
Median home price
$139k
Property tax
1.43%
Growing season
147 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
22"
Broadband
92.8%
Nearest hospital
Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc, 21 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.43%
Median Household Income$68,207
Poverty Rate12.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$139K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season147 days
Annual Rainfall22 inches
Avg Summer High86.6°F
Avg Winter Low13.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado3/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc (21 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage92.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Frontier County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Frontier County?
Frontier County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 13.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $139,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc is 21 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

Explore Nebraska Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Nebraska

All Nebraska counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Frontier 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.