$251,030Average Value$150Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
Crete’s economy centers on farming, food and education
Crete is a small community less than 30 miles from Lincoln. Many are drawn here for employment at Nestlé Purina, Smithfield Foods, Doane University and Crete Area Medical Center. "It's still a huge farming community as well. So, you have those salt-of-the-earth people there," says broker Nicole Zalesky, who has over 20 years of experience and co-owns Zalesky Realty & Auction. The town was settled as early as 1860, when the Bickle family built their log cabin on the east bank of the Big Blue River. The introduction of the railroad and its local university fast-tracked its evolution. Crete has several registered historic districts, including Doane University and its downtown area, where several buildings are marked by an 1888 embossment.
Doane University campus features historic buildings and green spaces.
Crystal’s Bakery adds local flavor to Crete’s Main Street district.
Farmers market brings fresh produce and local goods to downtown Crete.
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From 1800s charm to character-rich new construction
Home styles span 100 years. "We have your big beautiful two-and-a-half-story historical homes that have been here since the early 1900s to the late 1800s. And then you have your basic ranch-style homes built anywhere from the 1940s to the 1990s," Zalesky says. "And now you're getting more of your newer, character-building [custom] type of homes as well." Burlington Estates is a relatively new addition to the city with a mix of single-family homes and townhouses. The College Hill neighborhood showcases Victorian-style residences, Colonial Revivals, Craftsman bungalows and other classic forms of architecture from Crete’s earliest chapter. Homes closer to town exist on suburban and city-style lots, while those on the outskirts can be on acres. The area's median sales price is around $312,000, higher than the state's figure.
Victorian-style homes and Craftsman bungalows line College Hill neighborhood.
Single-story ranch-style residence reflects Crete’s traditional housing design.
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Families gather at parks for sports, swimming and seasonal events
Tuxedo Park is the largest green space and home to the local fairgrounds, where festivities are held every July. Spanning 96 acres, it's a popular spot for camping along the Blue River and encompasses diverse outdoor recreation. Families cheer from the stands during the season as local leagues play at the park's softball complex and baseball field. Families and their kids gather at the playground on the park's southern side; its northern portion offers a range for trap and skeet shooting. Trails weaving through the park grounds draw skiers during the winter. Other city parks include Wildwood Pool, where people practice their laps and play tennis, and Armory Park, with its soccer and flag football fields. College Heights Country Club features a 9-hole public golf course.
Tuxedo Park sign marks the entrance to the city’s largest park.
Playground at Tuxedo Park offers space for kids to explore.
Armory Park sign welcomes visitors to the sports fields.
Armory Park offers open fields for soccer and flag football.
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A restored theater and casual dining anchor downtown
Crete's historic downtown area showcases Italianate and Art Deco-inspired buildings. A cornerstone of the area is The Isis Theater, which opened in 1926 and debuted fresh renovations in 2024. Today, it's a popular spot to catch a movie, including the occasional free screening. The dining scene is casual. Locals can dine on comfort food at 9th Street Bar and Grill at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant is one of several spots to get south-of-the-border fare. Crete Foodmart, Super Latina Market and a meat store specializing in wagyu beef provide grocery options. Retailers include Crete Ace Hardware, New Beginnings Thrift Store and the yarn store Wool & Whimsy.
Isis Theatre stands as a cultural landmark in Crete’s downtown.
Guests enjoy hearty meals inside 9th Street Bar and Grill in downtown Crete.
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Pioneer Days lets students learn in a living history setting
Crete Heritage Society maintains the original Bickle family homestead. An old, one-room schoolhouse is on the grounds. It hosts Pioneer Days annually, where fourth graders gather to learn in a historic setting dressed in old-fashioned garb. "Crete also has a big pumpkin festival in October and Cinco de Mayo is huge here," Zalesky says. "It just seems like they have a little something going on all year." Sunday worship is also an important event. Despite Crete's relatively small size, over a dozen churches are here.
Students can pursue higher education without leaving town
Students attend Crete Public Schools, a small district that participates in school choice. Crete Elementary School covers kindergarten through second grade and earns an A on Niche. Third through fifth graders head to Crete Intermediate School, scoring a B rating. Crete Middle School also gets a B, and Crete High School maintains a B minus. The high school broke ground on a new sports complex in 2025 that will be used by various teams, including football and track. Doane University provides a close-to-home option for higher education, ranking No. 21 for Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Crete Elementary School serves students in pre-K through grade 2.
Crete Intermediate School serves grades 3 through 5.
Crete Middle School educates students in grades 6 to 8.
Crete High School serves grades 9 to 12 and has a new sports complex.
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Lincoln is less than 30 miles away via Highway 33
Nebraska Highway 33 passes through Crete, connecting the city to the broader area, including Lincoln, less than 30 miles away. Saline County Area Transit provides public transportation, offering door-to-door services scheduled in advance.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Pasha Chichagov
Video By
Taylor Noll
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tamera Toof,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Crete, NE sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Crete, NE over the last 12 months is $274,900, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this stunning zero-turn, 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhome, built in 2024 and thoughtfully design with comfort, style and smart-home connivence in mind. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the beautiful landscaping, gorgeous roses, and underground sprinkler system with smart controls. Step inside to beautiful luxury flooring that flows throughout the home and leads you to a
Classic Tudor charm meets modern comfort in this beautifully maintained 1930s home. Timeless architectural character is paired with thoughtful updates, including a remodeled kitchen, newer roof, Andersen windows, and a professionally repaired fireplace. Hardwood floors extend throughout the main level, while spacious living areas, abundant natural light, and a functional floor plan create an
Experience the perfect blend of luxury and privacy on this 5.35 acre estate. This 2015 custom ranch offers a bright, open layout with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and ~3200 sq ft of refined living space. The walkout basement is an entertainer's dream, featuring a sleek wet bar and 1400 sq ft of finished area, plus nearly 900 sq ft of flexible space for expansion or storage. Outside transforms into a
Everything you need lives on one floor, and everything extra lives below it. This 1990s ranch at 1510 Cherrywood Drive sits on a low-maintenance quarter acre in Crete, with roughly 2,800 finished square feet across two levels. The main floor holds three bedrooms, including a primary suite with a private 3/4 bath, plus a full guest bath with skylight, a bright kitchen open to the dining area, and
Welcome home to this stunning zero-turn, 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhome, built in 2024 and thoughtfully design with comfort, style and smart-home connivence in mind. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the beautiful landscaping, gorgeous roses, and underground sprinkler system with smart controls. Step inside to beautiful luxury flooring that flows throughout the home and leads you to a
Productive cropland with excellent build potential. This tillable acreage offers the opportunity to continue agricultural use while providing an ideal homesite for a custom residence or other permitted out buildings. 20.01 acres is located 11 miles SW of Lincoln on all blacktop only a short country mile on gravel. Approximate location SW 100th & W Stagecoach Rd.
Classic Tudor charm meets modern comfort in this beautifully maintained 1930s home. Timeless architectural character is paired with thoughtful updates, including a remodeled kitchen, newer roof, Andersen windows, and a professionally repaired fireplace. Hardwood floors extend throughout the main level, while spacious living areas, abundant natural light, and a functional floor plan create an
Welcome to Butterfly Acres, Lancaster County's most affordable acreage development. With prices starting at 110k for over 3 acres! Located east of Crete, along W Stagecoach Road, These acreages offer you great flexibility. Non-builder attached so you can bring your own builder! There's also no time limit to break ground! You build when you're ready! One great benefit to Butterfly Acres - we
Welcome to Butterfly Acres, Lancaster County's most affordable acreage development. With prices starting at 110k for over 3 acres! Located east of Crete, along W Stagecoach Road, These acreages offer you great flexibility. Non-builder attached so you can bring your own builder! There's also no time limit to break ground! You build when you're ready! One great benefit to Butterfly Acres - we
Welcome to Butterfly Acres, Lancaster County's most affordable acreage development. With prices starting at 110k for over 3 acres! Located east of Crete, along W Stagecoach Road, These acreages offer you great flexibility. Non-builder attached so you can bring your own builder! There's also no time limit to break ground! You build when you're ready! One great benefit to Butterfly Acres - we
Welcome to Butterfly Acres, Lancaster County's most affordable acreage development. With prices starting at 110k for over 3 acres! Located east of Crete, along W Stagecoach Road, These acreages offer you great flexibility. Non-builder attached so you can bring your own builder! There's also no time limit to break ground! You build when you're ready! One great benefit to Butterfly Acres - we
Beautiful Saline County land for sale, just a mile from pavement! Lot 4 is 10 acres and has mixture of timber lines, pasture (great building location) and a few acres of tillable ground along Rd B. This surveyed lot is 10.01 acres and located along County Rd B, approx 7 miles south and 1 mile east of Milford! All lines on photos are approx boundary lines and are not exact. Please do not drive
Welcome to Butterfly Acres, Lancaster County's most affordable acreage development. With prices starting at 110k for over 3 acres! Located east of Crete, along W Stagecoach Road, These acreages offer you great flexibility. Non-builder attached so you can bring your own builder! There's also no time limit to break ground! You build when you're ready! One great benefit to Butterfly Acres - we
Welcome to this beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home in the desirable Westwood neighborhood! Offering a functional open-concept layout, this home is perfect for comfortable living and entertaining. The main level features a bright and inviting living room that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, creating an open and welcoming space. You'll also find three spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms
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