Sioux County
NE · Pop. 1,197 · Rural County
Sioux County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 2,067 square miles with 1,197 residents at a density of 0.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $142,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.21% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.4°F and average winter lows of 10.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Community Hospital is 35.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 62.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $142,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 0.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.4% 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.
- A 97-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 62.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Sioux County, NE is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 22/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 1.21%
- Growing season
- 97 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.4"
- Broadband
- 62.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Hospital, 35.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sioux County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sioux County?
- Sioux County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.4°F, and average winter lows of 10.8°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.21%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 62.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Hospital is 35.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Sioux 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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