Howard County
NE · Pop. 6,492 · Rural County
Howard County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 569 square miles with 6,492 residents at a density of 11.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $205,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.13%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F and average winter lows of 16.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Howard County is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 79.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Howard County, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 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 11.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 79.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Howard County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $205k
- Property tax
- 1.13%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.2"
- Broadband
- 79.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Howard County, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Howard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Howard County?
- Howard County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F, and average winter lows of 16.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $205,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.13%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 79.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Howard County is 2.6 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 Howard 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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