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 is a growing part of the community.
Prairie View Lake and Recreation Area, near Bennington, is a great place to enjoy nature.
Pine Creek Elementary School serves students in PK through K-6.
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.
If you're looking for a condo, Bennington has many options.
There are many ranch homes throughout Bennington.
There are many mult-level homes available in Bennington.
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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.
Main street in Bennington offers restaurants and shops for all to enjoy.
Fetch takes care of all of your furry friends in Bennington.
Cup & Cone is a great place to meet friends for a cup of joe in Bennington.
Earl and Gray is a great place to find that perfect gift in downtown Bennington.
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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.
There is wildlife to enjoy at Prairie View Lake & Rec Area.
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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 near 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
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Bennington, NE sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bennington, NE over the last 12 months is $399,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to a beautiful two-story home in the desirable MEADOW RIDGE community in Bennington. This residence features 3 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an inviting open floor plan with vaulted ceiling in family room. A nice kitchen with all appliances and a spice organizer in the pantry. Finished walkout basement & extended driveway & patio. A private backyard with privacy fence. AMA by
Amazing updated ranch townhome located in quaint & quiet Brynhaven at Hanover Falls! You will love the unique setting this community offers. Highlights:36" doors, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, granite counters, SS appliances, tile back splash, 2 pantries & under cabinet lighting. New roof, Freshly painted & newer flooring throughout. The oversized 2 car garage has access to a large floored
Welcome to your beautifully maintained & updated Celebrity home! This spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom 2-story offers an inviting open-concept kitchen & living area, perfect for gatherings. A convenient 1/2 bath is located on the main level for guests. Upstairs, you'll find a versatile bonus area-ideal for a sitting room, play space, or home office. The laundry area is perfectly situated near all 3
This executive luxury lake home on Bennington Lake is absolutely spectacular. The extensive outdoor and high-end interior features certainly make it a special opportunity to own a masterpiece. The combination of the infinity pool, indoor/outdoor grills, and outdoor fire pits/places and fountains create an entertainer's dream. The thoughtful design of the interior including custom commercial
This exceptional one-owner, two-story home is nestled in a sought-after neighborhood with fantastic amenities, including a community pool. Inside, the open floor plan offers spacious living areas, a gourmet kitchen, and seamless flow for entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite features a soaking tub, a large walk-in closet, and a spa-like bath. With five total bedrooms, there’s plenty of space
Step into the realm of architectural brilliance at this remarkable home at Bennington Lake! Perched perfectly on 1.5 lots (.84 ac) on a quiet cul-de-sac. The expansive layout is designed for both entertaining & everyday living. The great room is unforgettable w/picturesque lake views from the floor-to-ceiling windows & sunken wet bar for easy entertaining. Wake up & enjoy amazing sunrises from
Spacious remodeled 5 bed 4 bath home with fully fenced back yard. Large deck & patio for entertaining or relaxing. This is a must see home with great features in the bennington school district and close to shopping, parks, and amenities. Only dogs allowed. Available now for $3,100/month.
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.
Relax and enjoy the easy life in your Anchor Point Villa! This 3-bedroom villa, built in 2022, offers a walkout basement, effortless living with HOA perks like snow removal, lawn care, and access to a sparkling neighborhood pool. Located in the Elkhorn School District, this gem combines comfort, convenience, and community charm. Smart Home: sky video doorbell, Deako smart switch & plug and more!
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