Garfield County
NE · Pop. 1,797 · Rural County
Garfield County, Nebraska covers 569 square miles with a population of 1,797 and a density of 3.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $145,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F and average winter lows of 12.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Valley County Health is 21.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $145,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 3.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Valley County Health, is 21.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 12.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Garfield County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $145k
- Property tax
- 1.44%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.1"
- Broadband
- 99.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Valley County Health, 21.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Garfield County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Garfield County?
- Garfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $145,000 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 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Valley County Health is 21.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Garfield 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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