Washington County
NE · Pop. 20,989 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in Nebraska, spanning 390 square miles with 20,989 residents at a density of 53.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $278,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F and average winter lows of 15.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Community Hospital Corporation is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87% 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
- Memorial Community Hospital Corporation, with an emergency room, is just 4.3 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 2.7% 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.
- 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 1.48% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Washington County, NE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 48/100
- Median home price
- $278k
- Property tax
- 1.48%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.7"
- Broadband
- 87%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Community Hospital Corporation, 4.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F, and average winter lows of 15.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $278,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.48%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Community Hospital Corporation is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Washington 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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