Richardson County
NE · Pop. 7,797 · Rural County
Richardson County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 552 square miles with 7,797 residents at a density of 14.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $97,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.38%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 19.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 34 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Community Medical Center, Inc is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% 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.
Pros
- A median home price of $97,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Community Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 6.7 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 14.1 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 1.38% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Richardson County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 84/100
- Median home price
- $97k
- Property tax
- 1.38%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34"
- Broadband
- 96.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Medical Center, Inc, 6.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Richardson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Richardson County?
- Richardson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 19.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $97,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.38%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Medical Center, Inc is 6.7 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
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Richardson 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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