2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Nebraska — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 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 68324 Burr NE 66/100 33/100
4 68110 Omaha NE 62/100 51/100
5 68431 Rulo NE 62/100 45/100
6 68641 Howells NE 62/100 64/100
7 68710 Allen NE 60/100 22/100
8 68746 Lynch NE 60/100 63/100
9 68321 Brownville NE 59/100 63/100
10 68072 Winslow NE 58/100 45/100
11 68111 Omaha NE 58/100 51/100
12 68769 Plainview NE 58/100 33/100
13 68770 Ponca NE 58/100 45/100
14 68791 Wisner NE 58/100 13/100
15 68935 Edgar NE 58/100 33/100
16 68003 Ashland NE 57/100 51/100
17 68328 Clatonia NE 57/100 70/100
18 68783 Verdigre NE 57/100 66/100
19 68004 Bancroft NE 56/100 40/100
20 68044 Nickerson NE 56/100 64/100
21 68064 Valley NE 56/100 51/100
22 68341 De Witt NE 56/100 58/100
23 68601 Columbus NE 56/100 35/100
24 68653 Platte Center NE 56/100 61/100
25 68106 Omaha NE 55/100 46/100
26 68107 Omaha NE 55/100 46/100
27 68648 Morse Bluff NE 55/100 70/100
28 68055 Rosalie NE 54/100 66/100
29 68069 Waterloo NE 54/100 56/100
30 68108 Omaha NE 54/100 51/100
31 68421 Peru NE 54/100 63/100
32 68033 Ithaca NE 53/100 66/100
33 68105 Omaha NE 53/100 51/100
34 68112 Omaha NE 53/100 46/100
35 68131 Omaha NE 53/100 46/100
36 68367 Gresham NE 53/100 64/100
37 68640 Genoa NE 53/100 62/100
38 68865 Phillips NE 53/100 38/100
39 69337 Chadron NE 53/100 50/100
40 68008 Blair NE 52/100 61/100
41 68025 Fremont NE 52/100 52/100
42 68059 Springfield NE 52/100 59/100
43 68102 Omaha NE 52/100 46/100
44 68329 Cook NE 52/100 56/100
45 68463 Weeping Water NE 52/100 64/100
46 68649 North Bend NE 52/100 55/100
47 68716 Beemer NE 52/100 63/100
48 68882 Wolbach NE 52/100 62/100
49 68104 Omaha NE 51/100 46/100
50 68117 Omaha NE 51/100 46/100
51 68132 Omaha NE 51/100 46/100
52 68455 Union NE 51/100 60/100
53 68760 Niobrara NE 51/100 38/100
54 68779 Stanton NE 51/100 66/100
55 68934 Deweese NE 51/100 64/100
56 69039 Moorefield NE 51/100 65/100
57 68002 Arlington NE 50/100 63/100
58 68057 Scribner NE 50/100 65/100
59 68445 Swanton NE 50/100 68/100
60 68739 Hartington NE 50/100 58/100
61 68958 Loomis NE 50/100 68/100
62 68047 Pender NE 49/100 45/100
63 68124 Omaha NE 49/100 46/100
64 68157 Omaha NE 49/100 46/100
65 68413 Nehawka NE 49/100 65/100
66 68635 Dwight NE 49/100 70/100
67 68638 Fullerton NE 49/100 67/100
68 68813 Anselmo NE 49/100 82/100
69 68015 Cedar Bluffs NE 48/100 63/100
70 68048 Plattsmouth NE 48/100 58/100
71 68061 Tekamah NE 48/100 60/100
72 68127 Omaha NE 48/100 46/100
73 68134 Omaha NE 48/100 46/100
74 68182 Omaha NE 48/100 41/100
75 68307 Avoca NE 48/100 70/100
76 68416 Ohiowa NE 48/100 62/100
77 68669 Ulysses NE 48/100 64/100
78 68726 Clearwater NE 48/100 82/100
79 68745 Laurel NE 48/100 60/100
80 68019 Craig NE 47/100 59/100
81 68020 Decatur NE 47/100 65/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. 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: 2026-04-13.

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 service-line indicators and system-level action-level 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.

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