Merrick County
NE · Pop. 7,696 · Rural County
Merrick County sits in Nebraska across 488 square miles, home to 7,696 people at 15.8 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 $168,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.17% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 18.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Merrick Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Merrick Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 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 15.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Merrick County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 1.17%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.8"
- Broadband
- 95.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Merrick Medical Center, 4.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Merrick County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Merrick County?
- Merrick County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 18.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.17%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Merrick Medical Center is 4.6 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 Merrick 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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