Seward County
NE · Pop. 17,636 · Suburban County
Seward County is a suburban county in Nebraska, spanning 571 square miles with 17,636 residents at a density of 30.9 people 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 $232,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.2%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Health Care Systems is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% 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
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Memorial Health Care Systems, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 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.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- Average winter lows of 14.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Seward County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $232k
- Property tax
- 1.2%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.2"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Health Care Systems, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Seward County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Seward County?
- Seward County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $232,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.2%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Health Care Systems is 3.7 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Seward 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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