Keya Paha County
NE · Pop. 939 · Rural County
Keya Paha County sits in Nebraska across 773 square miles, home to 939 people at 1.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $109,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.14%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rock County is 22.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $109,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 1.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Rock County, is 22.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Keya Paha County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $109k
- Property tax
- 1.14%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.6"
- Broadband
- 93.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Rock County, 22.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Keya Paha County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Keya Paha County?
- Keya Paha County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $109,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.14%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Rock County is 22.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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More counties in Nebraska
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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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