Keith County
NE · Pop. 8,239 · Rural County
Keith County, Nebraska covers 1,062 square miles with a population of 8,239 and a density of 7.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, wheat. The median home price is $157,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.4%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 16.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Banner Health is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $157,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Banner Health, with an emergency room, is just 4.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 7.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.4% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Keith County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $157k
- Property tax
- 1.4%
- Growing season
- 165 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.3"
- Broadband
- 96%
- Nearest hospital
- Banner Health, 4.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Keith County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Keith County?
- Keith County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 16.6°F. The established crops are corn, hay, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $157,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.4%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Banner Health is 4.9 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Keith 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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