Brown County
NE · Pop. 2,739 · Rural County
Brown County, Nebraska covers 1,221 square miles with a population of 2,739 and a density of 2.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, soybeans. A median home price of $100,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.08% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 14.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Brown County is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $100,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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.
- Average winter lows of 14.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Brown County, NE is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $100k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 143 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.7"
- Broadband
- 90.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Brown County, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 14.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $100,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Brown County is 13.3 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 Brown 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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