Skip to content

Grant County

NE · Pop. 695 · Rural County

52/100Homestead Score

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.

Property Tax: 0.75%
Growing Season: 146 days
Broadband: 69.5%
Density: 0.9/sq mi

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

Property Tax Rate0.75%
Median Household Income$69,063
Poverty Rate10.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$114K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season146 days
Annual Rainfall20.1 inches
Avg Summer High83.1°F
Avg Winter Low15.3°F
Top CropsHay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado1/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRegional West Garden County (46.2 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage69.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3%
Ag EconomyModerate

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

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

Nearby counties

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.