Grant County
NE · Pop. 695 · Rural County
Grant County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 777 square miles with 695 residents at a density of 0.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay. A median home price of $114,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F and average winter lows of 15.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Regional West Garden County is 46.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 69.5% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $114,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 0.9 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 10.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 146-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 20.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 69.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Regional West Garden County, is 46.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Grant County, NE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $114k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 146 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 20.1"
- Broadband
- 69.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Regional West Garden County, 46.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Grant County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Grant County?
- Grant County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F, and average winter lows of 15.3°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $114,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 69.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Regional West Garden County is 46.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Grant 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.