Kimball County
NE · Pop. 3,348 · Rural County
Kimball County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 952 square miles with 3,348 residents at a density of 3.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, corn. A median home price of $110,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 14.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kimball County is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Kimball County, with an emergency room, is just 3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.5 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.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.73% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Kimball County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 1.73%
- Growing season
- 139 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.9"
- Broadband
- 89.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Kimball County, 3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kimball County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kimball County?
- Kimball County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 14.7°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.73%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kimball County is 3 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 Kimball 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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