Johnson County
NE · Pop. 5,263 · Rural County
Johnson County sits in Nebraska across 376 square miles, home to 5,263 people at 14 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $132,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 15.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Johnson County Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $132,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Johnson County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 14 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Johnson County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $132k
- Property tax
- 1.52%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.3"
- Broadband
- 93.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Johnson County Hospital, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Johnson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Johnson County?
- Johnson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 15.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $132,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.52%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Johnson County Hospital is 3.7 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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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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