Kearney County
NE · Pop. 6,697 · Rural County
Kearney County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 516 square miles with 6,697 residents at a density of 13 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 $218,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.23% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 15.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kearney County is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.8% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Kearney County, with an emergency room, is just 1 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 13 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 6.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Kearney County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $218k
- Property tax
- 1.23%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.2"
- Broadband
- 87.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Kearney County, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kearney County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kearney County?
- Kearney County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 15.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $218,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.23%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kearney County is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Kearney 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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