Top Nebraska Counties to Buy Land in 2026

Rolling prairies, working ranches, and fertile river valleys still define Nebraska—but today’s land buyers are also thinking about water, infrastructure, recreation, and long-term value. With 93 counties and multiple distinct land markets, the “best” county depends on what you want to do with the property: row-crop farming, cattle grazing, a rural homesite near a metro, or an outdoor-focused getaway.

Land values are also shifting in ways buyers should understand before making an offer. Nebraska’s average agricultural land value declined 2% to $3,935 per acre in 2025 from $4,015 per acre in 2024, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability. That same source reports Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland averaged $11,970 per acre with a 3% decrease in 2025 (University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability)—a key signal for buyers focused on high-performing irrigated ground.

Nebraska land in 2025: what the market signals mean

Nebraska remains an agriculture-first state, but the 2025 data shows a more nuanced picture than “everything is up.” The total estimated value of agricultural land and buildings dropped to $164.7 billion in 2025, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability. At the same time, several pasture and forage categories strengthened—useful context if you’re buying for ranching, hay production, or mixed operations.

What to prioritize when buying land in Nebraska

1. Land type (and its price tier): Your budget stretches very differently depending on whether you’re shopping irrigated cropland, dryland, hay, or grazing land.
2. Water and irrigation potential: Irrigation can change both yield expectations and resale value—especially where pivot-irrigated tracts dominate.
3. Soil, slope, and usability: Highly productive soils and flat fields typically command a premium; rougher ground can pencil out for grazing, hunting, or recreation.
4. Access and infrastructure: Road frontage, power, and broadband matter more than ever for operations, homesites, and future flexibility.
5. Local market fundamentals: Proximity to grain markets, feedlots, ethanol plants, and population centers can influence rent potential and liquidity.
6. County zoning and development rules: Always verify what you can build, subdivide, or operate before you buy.

Best Nebraska counties to buy farmland (row crops, feed, and mixed ag)

York County (east-central): classic crop country with strong fundamentals

York County remains a go-to for buyers who want productive, scalable cropland in an area built around commodity agriculture. It’s well positioned for corn and soybean operations and offers the kind of access to markets and services that many buyers want when they’re making a long-term land play.

• Strong fit for row-crop producers seeking established ag infrastructure
• Typically attractive for operators who value market access and ease of logistics
• Often considered for long-term hold strategies in core farm country

Custer County (central): space, variety, and operational flexibility

Custer County appeals to buyers who want options: cropland opportunities, grazing capacity, and room to expand. If you prefer a diversified operation—or you simply want more acres for the money—this is the kind of county that often lands on the shortlist.

• Mixed landscape can support both crops and cattle
• Room for larger tracts and multi-parcel strategies
• Often attractive for buyers seeking flexibility over specialization

Cuming County (northeast): livestock-forward economics and feed demand

Cuming County has a reputation tied to livestock and feed, which can make it compelling for buyers aligned with cattle, feed crops, and ag businesses that benefit from established livestock infrastructure.

• Strong fit for livestock-oriented buyers
• Typically benefits from local ag services and operational knowledge
• Can work well for buyers aligning land use with feed and cattle systems

Best Nebraska counties for rural living, recreation, and “close-to-town” land

Lancaster County (Lincoln area): acreage living with city access

Lancaster County is a practical choice if you want rural land without giving up proximity to jobs, healthcare, education, and year-round amenities. Buyers often look here for small-to-mid acreage, hobby farms, and homesites that still feel “country” while staying connected.

• Good match for buyers who want a commute-friendly rural property
• Options range from small acreages to larger parcels outside city influence
• Often appealing for long-term flexibility and resale liquidity

Sarpy County (Omaha metro): growth pressure and development optionality

Sarpy County stands out for buyers who want to sit near metro expansion. If you’re purchasing with an eye toward future development demand (while still enjoying semi-rural use today), Sarpy frequently checks the right boxes.

• Strong for buyers who value proximity to Omaha-area employment and services
• Common target for “buy and hold” strategies near expanding infrastructure
• Can offer a blend of suburban-adjacent and rural parcels

Keith County (western Nebraska): lakes, views, and outdoor value

Keith County attracts buyers looking for recreation-first land—especially those who prioritize water, boating, fishing, and open-space living. It’s a natural fit for a getaway property, a future retirement parcel, or a basecamp for outdoor seasons.

• High appeal for recreation buyers and lifestyle properties
• Strong fit for hunting, fishing, and lake-adjacent land use
• Often competes well on value compared with more densely developed lake regions

Up-and-coming Nebraska counties to watch

Dawson County (Platte River corridor): balanced economy and steady demand drivers

Dawson County offers a blend of agriculture and industry that many buyers like for stability. If you want land that can work as a producing asset today while maintaining multiple exit options later, this region can be worth a closer look.

• Often benefits from diversified local economic activity
• Works for buyers seeking a mix of cropland and grazing potential
• Can be appealing for investors looking beyond the most expensive districts

Scotts Bluff County (Panhandle): diverse ag, iconic terrain, and tourism tailwinds

Scotts Bluff County combines productive ag opportunities with standout scenery and a tourism presence anchored by the region’s bluffs and outdoor attractions. Buyers looking for something beyond standard row-crop ground often find the Panhandle especially interesting.

• Diverse agriculture profile compared with many eastern counties
• Scenic assets can add lifestyle and recreation demand
• Tourism and regional hubs can support broader property use cases

2025 pricing benchmarks to match land type to the right county

Use statewide and district benchmarks to sanity-check asking prices and to narrow your county search based on how you’ll use the land:

• Irrigated production focus: Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland averaged $11,970 per acre with a 3% decrease in 2025, per the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Pasture and tougher terrain: Nontillable Grazing Land statewide averaged $2,245 per acre with an 8% increase in 2025, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Northeast grazing benchmark: In the Northeast district, Nontillable Grazing Land averaged $2,980 per acre with a 6% increase in 2025, per the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• North (Sandhills-adjacent) grazing benchmark: In the North district, Nontillable Grazing Land averaged $1,855 per acre with a 7% increase in 2025, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Grazing with more productivity: Tillable Grazing Land statewide averaged $3,015 per acre with a 5% increase in 2025, per the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Forage and cow-calf support: Hayland statewide averaged $2,960 per acre with a 5% increase in 2025, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Regional reality check (Southwest): In the Southwest district, the All Land Average was $8,305 per acre with a 3% decrease in 2025, per the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Statewide baseline: Nebraska’s average agricultural land value declined 2% to $3,935 per acre in 2025 from $4,015 per acre in 2024, according to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Practical buyer checklist (to avoid expensive surprises)

1. Match the county to your land-use plan: A “great deal” on grazing land won’t help if you need high-quality cropland, and vice versa.
2. Verify water reality—not assumptions: Confirm wells, irrigation capacity, allocations, and any local restrictions before you commit.
3. Price by land class, not just by acres: Compare irrigated, hay, tillable grazing, and nontillable grazing to the right benchmarks (not to each other).
4. Walk the property: Access, drainage, fencing, shelter, noxious weeds, and neighboring uses all matter—and maps can’t tell the full story.
5. Plan for the long term: Land rewards patient strategies. Think about operational costs, future demand, and how you might exit if plans change.
6. Use specialists: A land-focused agent, ag lender, and local attorney can protect you from preventable title, access, and zoning issues.
7. Know your selling options: Traditional vacant-land sales can take time; if speed is your priority, direct buyers exist. For example, Land Boss advertises cash purchases as an alternative path for owners who want a faster close.

Final thoughts

Nebraska still offers a rare combination of productive agriculture, wide-open space, and real utility for working landowners and lifestyle buyers alike. Start by choosing your land type—irrigated cropland, grazing land, hayland, or a recreation tract—then target counties where that use case performs best.

If you anchor your search to 2025 benchmarks, confirm water and access early, and buy with a clear plan, you’ll be positioned to find the Nebraska county that fits your goals—and a property you’ll feel good owning for years.