A traditional farming community enjoys creative investment
About 120 miles northwest of Lincoln and Omaha, Norfolk -- which locals proudly pronounce “Nor Fork”–- is the economic hub of Madison County and surrounding counties known for their farming, manufacturing and retail industries. Founded in 1866 by German immigrants, the community sprouted where the Elkhorn River meets the North Fork River. The land was ideal for farming and is still today, with 12% of Norfolk’s economy driven by agriculture. With about 26,000 people, Norfolk is the eighth-largest city in the state and is experiencing a changing landscape. Traditional employers in food production and steel manufacturing share the stage these days with younger companies in healthcare, technology and insurance. “There are signs of growth all over Norfolk,” says Jenn Carnine, a Realtor with RE-MAX Associates since 2014, “but the most obvious is the North Fork Riverfront Development. It’s bringing tourism to the city, whitewater rafting fans and new businesses to downtown.”
The city of Norfolk, a farming community since 1866, balances manufacturing and agriculture with newer businesses such as Norfolk Crush.
Norfolk is the economic hub of Madison County and surrounding counties known for their farming, manufacturing and retail industries.
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Norfolk has won recent awards for revitalization and development efforts
In December 2024, the city won two awards from the Mid-America Economic Development Council. The North Fork Riverfront Development, which includes the North Fork Whitewater Park, is a $25 million mixed-use revitalization project credited with increasing tourism and business in the city. The Northeast Nebraska Growing Together Initiative collaborates with city government and local employers to encourage new business and long-term career development for young Norfolk professionals.
The newly updated Norfolk library is a hub for public events and learning.
Recent development efforts around Norfolk include Johnson Park.
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Plenty of land and new homes near parks and golf courses
“Most of the homes we’re selling these days are pre-existing, which can give buyers a leg up on pricing and flexibility with renovations, but we do have a lot of new construction. Much of it is inside existing subdivisions, such as Legacy Bend,” says Carnine. The median home price in Norfolk is $254,450, compared to the national median price of about $420,000. About 300 homes sold across the city in 2024, from manufactured homes and century-old cottages to farmhouses and custom ranch-style homes. Fixer-uppers start at around $60,000, while golf course homes sell for around $700,000. Many homes for sale have land from one to five acres.
Many Norfolk golf course homes sell for around $700,000.
Many Norfolk homes for sale have land from one to five acres.
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North Fork Whitewater Park has sparked a rise in tourism
The city maintains 16 parks. Johnson Park, one of the oldest, has been extensively renovated to include an ice rink, a nature playground and an amphitheater. It connects via landscaped walkways to North Fork Whitewater Park. The 3-mile-long attraction opened in June 2024, with seven engineered rocky rapids for rafting and kayaking and one area that welcomes river surfing. “This was an opportunity to breathe new life into our community,” said Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning at a public forum in August 2024, “It was a quality-of-life moonshot that will attract visitors and spawn economic growth.”
Residents and visitors can walk a short distance from downtown to the North Fork Riverfront.
The North Fork Riverfront Development, which includes the North Fork Whitewater Park, is a $25 million mixed-use revitalization project.
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Norfolk Public Schools serves city students
Norfolk is zoned for the Norfolk Public Schools system, which is graded B by Niche. It manages eight elementary schools, two middle schools and Norfolk Senior High, which also receives a B grade from Niche. B-minus-graded Norfolk Catholic School offers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across two campuses. Christ Lutheran School has no reviews by Niche, but it dates back to 1871 and offers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Northeast Community College is known for high academic standards and one of the lowest tuition rates in the state.
The Norfolk Senior High School is graded B by Niche.
Norfolk Middle School also receives a B grade by Niche and is located near the YMCA.
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Downtown connects to North Fork Whitewater Park
Evidence of Downtown Norfolk’s booming status is visible along West Norfolk Avenue. Several new bars, boutiques and restaurants have opened recently, including Harbor Bar and 411 Restaurant and Lounge. The busy shopping and dining district, with plenty of new landscaping and storefront parking, is three blocks from the North Fork Whitewater Park. AquaVenture Water Park in Veterans Memorial Park welcomes kids from Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers slides, dumping buckets, water cannons and a wave pool.
Several new bars, boutiques and restaurants have opened recently in Norfolk, including District Table and Tap.
Evidence of Downtown Norfolk’s booming status is visible along West Norfolk Avenue.
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Low risk of flooding despite historic 2019 event
In March 2019, flood waters along the Elkhorn River prompted the city to evacuate one-third of its residents. The flood was the most extensive the state of Nebraska had ever experienced, and three fatalities were reported in the city. Since 2020, Norfolk’s reported rates of violent and property crimes have been mostly lower than the national and state average. However, periodic spikes have occurred.
Getting around in Norfolk
U.S. Highways 81 and 275 and Nebraska Highways 24 and 35 intersect in Norfolk. Norfolk is 112 miles northwest of Omaha, 121 miles north of Lincoln, and 75 miles southwest of Sioux City, Iowa. Sioux Gateway Airport, 90 miles northeast, is the closest commercial airport to Norfolk.
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