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Gage County

NE · Pop. 21,646 · Suburban County

72/100Homestead Score

Gage County sits in Nebraska across 851 square miles, home to 21,646 people at 25.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $167,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F and average winter lows of 15.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Inc is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.44%
Growing Season: 168 days
Broadband: 98.6%
Density: 25.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $167,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 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 3.2% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Gage County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
72/100
Median home price
$167k
Property tax
1.44%
Growing season
168 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
31.2"
Broadband
98.6%
Nearest hospital
Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Inc, 5.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.44%
Median Household Income$64,426
Poverty Rate13.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$167K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season168 days
Annual Rainfall31.2 inches
Avg Summer High86.3°F
Avg Winter Low15.9°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado8/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBeatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Inc (5.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Gage County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Gage County?
Gage County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F, and average winter lows of 15.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $167,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.44%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Inc is 5.5 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.