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Area data

Kearney, NE — ZIP 68849

Population: 1,385 (Census ACS)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with hail, strongwind, drought the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 9.9% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

Home values & appreciation

House Price Index (state)
431.4 (+2.1% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
90.1 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
12.3¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$11.40/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
hail, strongWind, drought, iceStorm, lightning
Notable hazard ratings (county)
drought: Relatively Moderate · hail: Relatively High · heatWave: Relatively Low · iceStorm: Relatively Moderate · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · lightning: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 67% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
29.6%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
50.0°F
Average high
63.0°F
Average low
37.0°F
Annual precipitation
29.0 in
Annual snowfall
25.4 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
5b (extreme annual low -15 to -10°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Amenities

Airports within 30 mi
9
Nearest airport
Onion Crest Airpark (7 mi)
Nearest major airport
Kearney Regional Airport (EAR) (9 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
8
Hospitals include
CHI HEALTH GOOD SAMARITAN, CHI HEALTH ST. FRANCIS, GRAND ISLAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.5 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
4.0 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
4
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.4 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Employment & development

Total county employment
23,495
Average weekly wage
$968
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Construction
Annual residential building permits (county)
119

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 68849?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: hail, strongWind, drought, iceStorm, lightning.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 68849?
Risk to homes is higher than 67% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 68849?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 68849?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 68849?
Regional Price Parity: 90.1 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

Selling a home in Kearney, NE?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents