2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Nebraska — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

621 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 68440 (Steele City, NE) - 73/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 621 ZIP codes with data in Nebraska, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Nebraska Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 621
Highest value 73/100
Median value 37/100
State Nebraska

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 68440 Steele City NE 73/100 24/100
2 68375 Hubbell NE 69/100 69/100
3 69036 Lebanon NE 69/100 0/100
4 68324 Burr NE 65/100 33/100
5 68110 Omaha NE 63/100 51/100
6 68431 Rulo NE 62/100 45/100
7 68641 Howells NE 62/100 64/100
8 68602 Columbus NE 60/100 33/100
9 68710 Allen NE 60/100 22/100
10 68746 Lynch NE 60/100 63/100
11 68321 Brownville NE 59/100 63/100
12 68072 Winslow NE 58/100 45/100
13 68111 Omaha NE 58/100 51/100
14 68769 Plainview NE 58/100 33/100
15 68770 Ponca NE 58/100 45/100
16 68791 Wisner NE 58/100 13/100
17 68935 Edgar NE 58/100 33/100
18 68328 Clatonia NE 57/100 70/100
19 68783 Verdigre NE 57/100 66/100
20 68003 Ashland NE 56/100 51/100
21 68004 Bancroft NE 56/100 40/100
22 68044 Nickerson NE 56/100 64/100
23 68064 Valley NE 56/100 51/100
24 68341 De Witt NE 56/100 58/100
25 68601 Columbus NE 56/100 35/100
26 68653 Platte Center NE 56/100 61/100
27 68069 Waterloo NE 55/100 56/100
28 68106 Omaha NE 55/100 46/100
29 68107 Omaha NE 55/100 46/100
30 68108 Omaha NE 55/100 51/100
31 68648 Morse Bluff NE 55/100 70/100
32 68055 Rosalie NE 54/100 66/100
33 68112 Omaha NE 54/100 46/100
34 68421 Peru NE 54/100 63/100
35 68865 Phillips NE 54/100 38/100
36 68033 Ithaca NE 53/100 66/100
37 68105 Omaha NE 53/100 51/100
38 68131 Omaha NE 53/100 46/100
39 68367 Gresham NE 53/100 64/100
40 68640 Genoa NE 53/100 62/100
41 69337 Chadron NE 53/100 50/100
42 68008 Blair NE 52/100 61/100
43 68025 Fremont NE 52/100 52/100
44 68102 Omaha NE 52/100 46/100
45 68104 Omaha NE 52/100 46/100
46 68117 Omaha NE 52/100 46/100
47 68649 North Bend NE 52/100 55/100
48 68716 Beemer NE 52/100 63/100
49 68760 Niobrara NE 52/100 38/100
50 68882 Wolbach NE 52/100 62/100
51 68009 Blair NE 51/100 61/100
52 68059 Springfield NE 51/100 59/100
53 68132 Omaha NE 51/100 46/100
54 68463 Weeping Water NE 51/100 64/100
55 68779 Stanton NE 51/100 66/100
56 68934 Deweese NE 51/100 64/100
57 69039 Moorefield NE 51/100 65/100
58 68002 Arlington NE 50/100 63/100
59 68057 Scribner NE 50/100 65/100
60 68157 Omaha NE 50/100 46/100
61 68329 Cook NE 50/100 56/100
62 68739 Hartington NE 50/100 58/100
63 68958 Loomis NE 50/100 68/100
64 68047 Pender NE 49/100 45/100
65 68124 Omaha NE 49/100 46/100
66 68127 Omaha NE 49/100 46/100
67 68445 Swanton NE 49/100 68/100
68 68455 Union NE 49/100 60/100
69 68635 Dwight NE 49/100 70/100
70 68638 Fullerton NE 49/100 67/100
71 68813 Anselmo NE 49/100 82/100
72 68015 Cedar Bluffs NE 48/100 63/100
73 68061 Tekamah NE 48/100 60/100
74 68103 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
75 68109 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
76 68119 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
77 68120 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
78 68134 Omaha NE 48/100 46/100
79 68139 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
80 68145 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
81 68155 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
82 68172 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
83 68175 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
84 68176 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
85 68179 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
86 68180 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
87 68181 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
88 68182 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
89 68183 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
90 68197 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
91 68198 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
92 68413 Nehawka NE 48/100 65/100
93 68416 Ohiowa NE 48/100 62/100
94 68669 Ulysses NE 48/100 64/100
95 68726 Clearwater NE 48/100 82/100
96 68745 Laurel NE 48/100 60/100
97 68005 Bellevue NE 47/100 55/100
98 68019 Craig NE 47/100 59/100
99 68020 Decatur NE 47/100 65/100
100 68048 Plattsmouth NE 47/100 58/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

Get safety alerts for Nebraska

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool - no phone call required.