Hayes County
NE · Pop. 854 · Rural County
Hayes County sits in Nebraska across 713 square miles, home to 854 people at 1.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, wheat, hay. The median home price is $113,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.27%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 155-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F and average winter lows of 15.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Chase County is 31.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 52% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $113,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, wheat, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 155-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 52% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Chase County, is 31.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Hayes County, NE is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $113k
- Property tax
- 1.27%
- Growing season
- 155 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.9"
- Broadband
- 52%
- Nearest hospital
- Chase County, 31.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hayes County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hayes County?
- Hayes County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 155-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F, and average winter lows of 15.7°F. The established crops are corn, wheat, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $113,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.27%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 52% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Chase County is 31.7 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 Hayes 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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