Seward balances hometown warmth with steady growth
Seward is a growing city 25 miles outside Lincoln with down-home elements, from family-friendly parks to mom-and-pop shops. "It's a welcoming community. People and kids are out riding their bikes and involved in plenty of activities," says Realtor Scott Jelinek, who grew up here and works for Nebraska Realty. "They decorate the square for the holidays and have a farmers market every week during the season. So, there is a lot of community pride." Seward is famous for its annual Fourth of July festival, which began in 1867 and attracts tens of thousands of spectators. Congress even designated it "America's Official Fourth of July City-Small Town USA." Seward is home to the private Lutheran college Concordia University Nebraska, and the city's growth is visible through rising home construction and big businesses moving here, including a $186 million Dari Processing plant known for producing shelf-stable milk.
Traditional homes with basements and walkable streets
Ranch-style homes and bungalows are common. "You do have some split-levels, but most are traditional," Jelinek says, adding that many properties include finished basements. Victorian-style, Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals and custom builds dot the area. Seward also has manufactured homes on its southern side. New construction is on the upswing, primarily modern single-family residences with large forward-facing garages, but some are townhouses. The median sales price in Seward is $275,000, compared to the state median of $314,000. Prices start as low as $70,000 for a modest fixer-upper and rise to $685,000 for a larger, newer home. Neighborhood streets are built in a grid formation and flanked by tall trees. Sidewalks connect the area, and downtown is within walking distance of many homes. The CAP Index Crime Score in Seward is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Brick-lined streets lead to boutiques, breweries and local eats
History is alive downtown, noted in its red-brick streets, vintage storefronts, and the Seward County Courthouse, completed in 1907. A historical marker pays tribute to the area's long-running Fourth of July event, which began in the heart of downtown and is still held yearly. Locally owned shops selling everything from clothes to books to second-hand items are all within walking distance. The coffee shop Neutral Grounds is a popular spot to start the day. La Cocina is a go-to for authentic Mexican cuisine, and Dragon Palace is the place for Chinese. Neighbors meet at Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. and Sparetime Lounge and Grill for food and drinks. Dollar General and Walmart Supercenter are in Seward for groceries and general items, while malls and shopping centers are about 25 miles away in Lincoln.
Fishing piers, ball fields and a nine-hole golf course
Seward has small playground parks and larger recreational spaces. Plum Creek Park is known for its sports complex, including a disc golf course and various fields. The park is home to the Cattle Athletic Training Center, where youth baseball and softball teams practice. Hikers can also start the nearly 3-mile Plum Creek Trail here, which winds around the creek and features a garden. Karol Kay Park has swing sets, a merry-go-round, climbing structures and slides. The Blue River flows through town, but according to Jelinek, much of it passes through private land. Locals head to the pond at Independence Landing to fish instead. Blue Valley Camping Area, open April through November, is one of two local campgrounds. Seward Community Dog Park gives pups a place to play. Tee time happens at Seward Community Golf Course, a nine-hole course open to the public.
July Fourth celebrations and time-honored traditions
While Seward has more than one annual tradition, the Fourth of July is the biggest deal. Residents promote the event through a holiday home decoration contest, cosponsored by the Seward Rotary Club. The top two winners score trophies. Store owners also decorate during this time of year. The event features a grand parade, a craft fair and live entertainment at the Seward Bandshell. Locals can also participate in a 10K Freedom Run or a 2-mile Fun Run. Festivities conclude with fireworks at Plum Creek Park.
Schools earn high marks and offer strong extracurriculars
Students attend Seward Public Schools, which participates in school choice. They begin at Seward Elementary School, which earns an A-minus on Niche. From there, they filter into the A-rated Seward Middle School and the B-plus-rated Seward High School. Seward High offers robust athletic programs and extracurricular activities, including golf and wrestling teams, show choir and dance. The private Lutheran college, Concordia University Nebraska, is located in the city.
Accessible public transit helps residents get around
Interstate 80 and Highway 15 pass through Seward. Seward County Public Transit supports commuters through door-to-door bus services that are ADA compliant, providing flexible routes to destinations within and outside the county for medical appointments, errands and more. Memorial Hospital, located in town, includes 24/7 emergency care.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
