Skip to content
Submit

Madison County

NE · Pop. 35,535 · Suburban County

45/100Homestead Score

Madison County, Nebraska covers 573 square miles with a population of 35,535 and a density of 62 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $196,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F and average winter lows of 12.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Faith Regional Health Services is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.34%
Growing Season: 154 days
Broadband: 96.5%
Density: 62/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Faith Regional Health Services, with an emergency room, is just 11.7 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.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.

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.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
45/100
Median home price
$196k
Property tax
1.34%
Growing season
154 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
28.8"
Broadband
96.5%
Nearest hospital
Faith Regional Health Services, 11.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.34%
Median Household Income$64,637
Poverty Rate11.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$196K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season154 days
Annual Rainfall28.8 inches
Avg Summer High83.1°F
Avg Winter Low12.9°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFaith Regional Health Services (11.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Madison County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Madison County?
Madison County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F, and average winter lows of 12.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.34%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Faith Regional Health Services is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

Explore Nebraska Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Nebraska

All Nebraska counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Madison 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.