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Lincoln County

NE · Pop. 34,122 · Rural County

50/100Homestead Score

Lincoln County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 2,564 square miles with 34,122 residents at a density of 13.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $183,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 15°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. North Platte Ne Hospital Corporation is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.48%
Growing Season: 156 days
Broadband: 93.4%
Density: 13.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $183,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • North Platte Ne Hospital Corporation, with an emergency room, is just 5.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 13.3 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.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 20.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.

At a glance

Lincoln County, NE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
50/100
Median home price
$183k
Property tax
1.48%
Growing season
156 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
20.8"
Broadband
93.4%
Nearest hospital
North Platte Ne Hospital Corporation, 5.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.48%
Median Household Income$64,342
Poverty Rate12.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$183K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season156 days
Annual Rainfall20.8 inches
Avg Summer High84.5°F
Avg Winter Low15°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado7/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNorth Platte Ne Hospital Corporation (5.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Lincoln County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 15°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $183,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.48%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
North Platte Ne Hospital Corporation is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.