A growing small town is already larger than data suggests
Located 18 miles northwest of Omaha in Douglas County, Bennington, Nebraska, is a small city of about 2,026 residents that is growing quickly. According to U.S. Census data, Bennington has grown at a rate of about 0.1% per year since 2020. The city offers proximity to Downtown Omaha and a setting surrounded by lakes, parks and unspoiled open land.
Newcomers to Bennington will quickly learn that there is a big difference between the downtown core of Bennington, about 10 square miles – which is where most of the 2,026 residents live – and the boundaries of Bennington Public Schools, an area of more than 30 square miles. The school district currently serves nearly 3,600 students. Another 1,000 students will likely be served by a new high school that is under consideration and will be voted on by the end of 2024.
Downtown Bennington if a growing part of the community.
Pine Creek Elementary School serves students in PK through K-6.
Praire View Lake and Recreation Area, near Bennington, is a great place to enjoy nature.
Westview High School is part of the Omaha Public School System.
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New homes and waterfront estates are bringing buyers to unspoiled acres
Bennington features about 1,000 single-family homes ranging from century-old cottages and midcentury ranch-style homes to new, attached townhouses and New Traditional waterfront estates. Just east of Prairie-View Lake & Rec Area is Bennington Lake, a man-made lake that aids in flood control. The lake is private and features Newport Landing, a waterfront subdivision of estate homes on small peninsulas of the lake. Home prices range from $800,000 to $4 million. Scenic views and back-door water access are some of the reasons people move here.
The City of Omaha Planning Department approved rezoning in April 2024 for the new community of Hagen Hills, which will offer 85 new apartment one- and two-bedroom apartment homes.
Newport Landing in Bennington is a private lake community.
There are many ranch homes throughout Bennington.
There are many mult-level homes available in Bennington.
If you're looking for a condo, Bennington has many options.
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Job growth is in downtown as well as in the surrounding county
The largest employers in the Bennington area are Waste Management, Casey’s and Federated Insurance, while the city’s largest industries are health care, social services, education and retail. A handful of new retailers have come to historic downtown Bennington, including Cup N Cone, an ice cream and coffee shop, and Earl & Gray, a one-of-a-kind spot for home décor and gifts. “Not all the growth in Bennington is outside the downtown area. Locals are loyal to downtown, and it’s great to see new stores and restaurants opening,” says Amber Tkaczuk, Realtor with Nebraska Realty and a real estate agent for 15 years.
Locals visit downtown Bennington to dine at Nate’s Stumble Inn, which offers casual fare for lunch and dinner. They also provide a banquet hall and a party room for events. The Warehouse Grille & Drinkery is a local sports bar. Fetch Pet Emporium puts a friendly local spin on pet care with toys, food, and grooming services. Jillian’s Produce is 4 miles south of Bennington and offers farm fresh fruits, vegetables and abundant fall melons.
Cup & Cone is a great place to meet friends for a cup of joe in Bennington.
Fetch takes care of all of your furry friends in Bennington.
Earl and Gray is a great place to find that perfect gift in downtown Bennington.
Main street in Bennington offers restaurants and shops for all to enjoy.
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Lakes offer boating and fishing
Prairie View Lake and Recreation Area is 3 miles west of the center of Bennington. Three pedestrian bridges connect small inlets and provide access to walking trails. Visitors can drop a fishing line off the bridges and watch for migratory birds common to the area, including herons and Canada geese. Small, no-wake watercraft are welcome. About 5 miles south of Bennington is Standing Bear Lake with 135 water acres and 400 acres of parkland. Flanagan Lake Park is about 5 miles west of Standing Bear Lake and offers a 220-acre lake, a 5-mile hiking and bicycle trail and canoe and kayak launch sites.
The recently organized Bennington Community Theater will announce its first season of productions by the end of 2024. Ofts Bed & Breakfast is Bennington’s first of its kind. The historic Victorian home from 1910 offers a peaceful setting and a family museum that records the city’s history. It also hosts Bennington’s History Society meetings. Main Street Studios and Art Gallery is 10 miles south in Elkhorn but is the closest gallery to Bennington.
The pedestrian bridge at Prairie View Lake and Recreation Area is a favorite of visitors near Bennington.
Enjoy the view from the pedestrian bridge at Prairie View Lake & Rec Area.
Standing Bear Lake is a large park with miles of trails.
For the art lovers, Main Street Studios is a quick drive from Bennington.
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Bennington is 18 miles from Eppley Airfield
Nebraska Highway 36 starts in Douglas County, goes through Bennington and connects to Bennington Road and McKinley Street on its way to Omaha Eppley Airfield. The airport is the largest in the state and is undergoing a $950 million renovation and expansion. Nebraska Highway 133 is a north-south route that connects southeast to Omaha and north to Blair, Nebraska. While there is no major public transportation in the city, Bennington Public Schools does offer transportation for students who live more than four miles from their school.
Highway 36 is a great way for Bennington travelers to head to Omaha.
Residents use Highway 36 for travel from Bennington to the surrounding communities.
The highway 36 and 133 intersection is a busy area neear Bennington.
Bennington residents use Highway 133 and 36 to travel in the area.
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Demand for more public schools is high
Bennington Public School District serves more than 4,500 students. It is rated the No. 5 public school district in Nebraska and has an A-minus grade from Niche. It offers five elementary schools, two middle schools, and A-minus-rated Bennington High School (also known as Bennington Secondary School). With continued growth has come some growing pains. A second high school is needed to support area students. The district hopes to pass a bond issue in late 2024, which will allow for the construction of a second high school in Bennington that would open for the 2027-2028 school year.
The hottest month in Bennington is July, with highs of 86 degrees. January is the coldest month, with lows hitting 17 degrees. Residents can see snow from early November through mid-March. While accumulations in one event can reach 7 inches, the area averages 32 inches of snow annually. The risk of tornado damage in Bennington is lower than the Nebraska average but higher than the national average.
On Arbor Day, April 26, 2024, an EF-4 tornado with maximum winds of 170 miles per hour touched down in Bennington, Elkhorn, and Blair, Nebraska. Several homes near Newport Landing Lake were heavily damaged, but no loss of life was reported there or in Bennington.
Bennington Middle School is very convenient for families.
Bennington Elementary School is part of the Bennington Public School system.
The students of Bennington High School enjoy learning in a large and modern setting.
Omaha Westview High School is a newly built facility located in the Elkhorn area.
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Environmental improvements and a strong healthcare network
The Bennington Police Department and Bennington City Council are refining a redevelopment plan to improve blight, trash collection and the speed of road repairs. An aggressive clean energy project, announced in September 2024, is creating a Waste Management renewable natural gas facility in Bennington. The site will produce fuel for the landfill’s 40 trucks and power about 20,000 homes in the area.
While there are no hospitals or healthcare centers in Bennington today, CHI Health Lakeside medical facility is 10 miles south of South 168th Street. Methodist Women’s Hospital is 12 miles south in Elkhorn, north of Route 6 / Dodge Street. Just east of downtown Bennington, Ridgewood Senior Living, on North 149th Street, has offered a full continuum of senior living services for over 15 years.
Highway 36 provides a convenient route for Bennington travelers heading to Omaha.
The Bennington Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting the Bennington community.
Dodge Street runs north of Pacific Meadows, allowing easy access to all of Omaha.
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Low crime rates are not taken for granted
With a stated population of 2,026, crime rates appear low, with the FBI reporting less than 1.00 violent crimes per 1,000 people over the past several years. The Bennington Police Department employs two full-time, four part-time, and three reserve officers. Bennington has an active Neighborhood Watch program and a regularly updated Facebook page that, for a small city, “is often the first place locals will learn about community safety concerns or events,” says Realtor Tkaczuk.
Written By
Sarah Albiston
Photography Contributed By
Kevin Franz
Video By
James Segars
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sandy Davis,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Bennington, NE sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bennington, NE over the last 12 months is $414,990, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 2-story home is impressive from top-to-bottom, inside and out! Starting with the fantastic curb appeal with manicured landscaping and fresh exterior paint, you will see how well-cared-for this home has been! Step inside and take in the open floor plan with neutral paint throughout, new carpet, and updated window treatments. A large eat-in kitchen offers a center island, lots of cabinet
**OPEN HOUSE | JUNE 22 @ 12-2PM** Prepare to be WOW'd by this 4-year-old 2-story in popular Bennington subdivision, Highland Hills. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car garage w/ built-in shelving! This spacious layout has everything you could possibly want. Main floor includes a gorgeous open-concept floor plan w/ powder room, coat closet, large living room w/ electric fireplace, drop zone, & spacious
OPEN HOUSE, JUNE 22 12:00 AM - 2:00 PM!!! Discover this charming, PRE-INSPECTED two-story home in desirable neighborhood, just blocks away from Pine Creek Elementary! The main floor offers an office, formal dining area, and living room with cozy fireplace that opens to the kitchen. The kitchen boasts new granite counters & backsplash along with a new refrigerator. Dining area leads to the
Amazing deal on this Pre-Inspected 2020 home! Listed $23,000 under what it was bought for in April. Located within the top-rated Bennington Schools, it's just a short walk to Pine Creek Elementary and under a mile from the Westview YMCA. This 5 bed, 2 story gem features a stunning kitchen with quartz countertops and SS appliances, all included for your convenience. Enjoy modern enhancements like
Pre- Inspected! Everything is included in this stunning 2-story in sought-after Anchor Pointe: all appliances, window coverings, even the infrared sauna! Swim, Fish, Jog, Play, Learn… Supreme location just steps from new community POOL, elementary school & trail leading to Flanagan Lake! Step inside to modern finishes, thoughtful design & inviting open-concept layout featuring a showstopper
Move-in-ready 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom home in Ridgemoor! Step into an open floor plan featuring vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and main floor family room. The spacious eat-in kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances & abundant cabinets, while the family room flows out to an oversized deck and fully fenced backyard, perfect for entertaining or relaxing. The master bedroom features a tray ceiling,
Recently built in 2024, this big beautiful 4 bedroom 2 story home is sleek, modern and features many gorgeous updates! Stone fire place, huge walk in pantry in kitchen, master bath with dual sinks, master walk in closet, laundry room located on second floor for your convenience, AND finished basement with full bath and 4th bedroom!
Redwood Bennington is where you'll find the single-story apartment you've been looking for. Live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, pet-friendly apartment rental home with an attached garage. Enjoy being surrounded by charming greenery, with all the amenities you could need just a stones throw away. Plus, you can get to the arts, entertainment, dining and attractions of downtown Omaha in 30 minutes.
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