Saline County
NE · Pop. 14,642 · Suburban County
Saline County sits in Nebraska across 574 square miles, home to 14,642 people at 25.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $181,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F and average winter lows of 15°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. City of Friend is 12.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $181,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.35% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 15°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Saline County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $181k
- Property tax
- 1.35%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.4"
- Broadband
- 98.8%
- Nearest hospital
- City of Friend, 12.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Saline County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Saline County?
- Saline County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F, and average winter lows of 15°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $181,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.35%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- City of Friend is 12.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Saline 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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