Hamilton County
NE · Pop. 9,438 · Rural County
Hamilton County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 542 square miles with 9,438 residents at a density of 17.4 people 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 $239,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.96% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F and average winter lows of 16.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 31 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Community Health, Inc is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Memorial Community Health, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 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.
- At 17.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Hamilton County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 81/100
- Median home price
- $239k
- Property tax
- 0.96%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Community Health, Inc, 0.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hamilton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hamilton County?
- Hamilton County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F, and average winter lows of 16.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $239,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.96%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Community Health, Inc is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Hamilton 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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