Harlan County
NE · Pop. 3,006 · Rural County
Harlan County, Nebraska covers 553 square miles with a population of 3,006 and a density of 5.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $147,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.15%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F and average winter lows of 16.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Harlan County Health System Board of Trustees is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.6% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Harlan County Health System Board of Trustees, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5.4 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 5.4 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Harlan County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 1.15%
- Growing season
- 167 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.6"
- Broadband
- 88.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Harlan County Health System Board of Trustees, 5.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Harlan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Harlan County?
- Harlan County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F, and average winter lows of 16.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.15%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Harlan County Health System Board of Trustees is 5.5 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Harlan 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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