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Nemaha County

NE · Pop. 7,035 · Rural County

76/100Homestead Score

Nemaha County sits in Nebraska across 407 square miles, home to 7,035 people at 17.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $125,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.41% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 17.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Nemaha County Hospital is 0.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.41%
Growing Season: 166 days
Broadband: 93.8%
Density: 17.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $125,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Nemaha County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 17.3 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.41% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Nemaha County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
76/100
Median home price
$125k
Property tax
1.41%
Growing season
166 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
31.7"
Broadband
93.8%
Nearest hospital
Nemaha County Hospital, 0.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.41%
Median Household Income$60,132
Poverty Rate13%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$125K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season166 days
Annual Rainfall31.7 inches
Avg Summer High86.8°F
Avg Winter Low17.7°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado5/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNemaha County Hospital (0.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Nemaha County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Nemaha County?
Nemaha County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $125,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.41%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Nemaha County Hospital is 0.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Nemaha 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.