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Scotts Bluff County

NE · Pop. 35,937 · Suburban County

45/100Homestead Score

Scotts Bluff County sits in Nebraska across 740 square miles, home to 35,937 people at 48.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, beans. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 15.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Regional West Medical Center is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.49%
Growing Season: 143 days
Broadband: 99.8%
Density: 48.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Regional West Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, beans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.

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.
  • A 143-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 15.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.49% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
45/100
Median home price
$161k
Property tax
1.49%
Growing season
143 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
15.6"
Broadband
99.8%
Nearest hospital
Regional West Medical Center, 3.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.49%
Median Household Income$60,960
Poverty Rate13.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$161K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season143 days
Annual Rainfall15.6 inches
Avg Summer High86.2°F
Avg Winter Low15.1°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Beans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado6/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRegional West Medical Center (3.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Scotts Bluff County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Scotts Bluff County?
Scotts Bluff County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 15.1°F. The established crops are corn, hay, beans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Regional West Medical Center is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.