Community-driven city rising from Nebraska prairie
At the crossroads of two highways 50 miles west of Lincoln, York rises from the south-central Nebraska prairie. With a population of 8,000, the city is small but growing thanks to a favorable location and a strong sense of community. “It has a lot to offer for families — the community center, library groups, plus the Chamber puts on a lot of events,” says Jennifer Otte, who worked as a Realtor with Heritage Realty for 12 years. “And it’s centrally located on I-80, so you can get anywhere pretty quickly.” The seat of York County is also home to a private Christian university and the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.
Healthcare is a major area industry, with York General Hospital employing over 350 people.
Several agricultural service companies operate from the outskirts of York.
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Median home price lower than Lincoln
Buyers in York benefit from a median home price of $215,000, nearly half the national median and about $80,000 lower than the median price in nearby Lincoln. Starter homes cost $150,000 to $200,000, while well-maintained or updated homes are priced from $200,000 to $400,000. Large custom builds or homes on multiacre lots might sell for $650,000 to $800,000.
York is in Tornado Alley, a swath of the central United States prone to high tornado activity. Buyers should look for properties with basements or storm shelters and ensure that their insurance policies cover wind and storm damage.
York is in Tornado Alley, a swath of the central United States prone to high tornado activity.
With a population of 8,000, York is small but growing thanks to a favorable location and a strong sense of community.
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A cultural scene with a family focus
Family-friendly museums and events distinguish York’s cultural scene. Art Deco architecture welcomes visitors to the City Auditorium, home of the York Area Children’s Museum. The auditorium includes a gymnasium and other function spaces available for private rentals. Artifacts from the Ancient Near East and Rome are on display at the Clayton Museum of Ancient History, which includes an interactive zone where kids can join a simulated archaeological dig. According to the World Record Academy, Lee’s Legendary Marbles and Collectibles features the world’s largest marble collection. The annual Yorklympics event launched in summer 2024 as a celebration of teamwork, athleticism and community pride.
Family-friendly museums and events distinguish York’s cultural scene including the Clayton Museum of Ancient History.
The Sun Theatre is the goto location for movie night in York.
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Home of York University
York Public Schools is a small district with four schools, including a preschool academy. The district earns a Niche grade of B. The city is home to two parochial schools, St. Joseph Catholic School and Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School, both ungraded by Niche. York University, a private Christian liberal arts school, enrolls about 500 students. The university and the two parochial schools testify to the city’s large Christian population. About 75 percent of Nebraskans identify as Christian, and York’s population is predominantly Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic.
York Public Schools is a small district with four schools and earns a Niche grade of B.
York University, a private Christian liberal arts school, enrolls about 500 students.
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At the crossroads of I-80 and Route 81
York residents live at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 81. The interstate leads 50 miles east to Lincoln, where nonstop flights to Chicago and Denver are available from Lincoln Airport. In 2022, York received a $15 million federal grant for an infrastructure project to improve pedestrian and bicycle trails throughout the city. Project Access York will expand existing trails and build a pedestrian bridge over Route 81. The project is slated for completion in 2028; until then, construction could affect pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Healthcare is a major area industry, with York General Hospital employing over 350 people. The university and detention center provide jobs in education and corrections. Several agricultural service companies operate from the city’s outskirts. “Supplying food for America is big in York,” Otte says. “But it’s a nice wide variety of industrial and blue-collar jobs.”
Downtown on Lincoln Avenue
Lincoln Avenue is the main artery in York’s downtown district, a wide thoroughfare feeding into a network of smaller side streets. Jewelry and furniture stores, consignment shops and boutiques, coffee shops and cafés populate the white- and red-brick buildings. Chances “R” Restaurant and Lounge is a popular tour bus stop that’s been featured in numerous articles about Nebraska. “It’s just basic home cooking, but it seems like everyone across the country who’s been to York knows Chances ‘R,’” Otte says. At the intersection of Route 81 and I-80, chain restaurants and department stores line up alongside car dealerships and auto parts stores.
Discover bold flavors and fresh ingredients at La Cocina Mexican Restaurant in York.
Lincoln Avenue is the main artery in York’s downtown district and leads to many local jewelry and furniture stores, consignment shops and boutiques,
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Wet and wild fun at the Aquatic Center
York’s Parks and Recreation department features a Family Aquatic Center with waterslides, climbing walls and a zero-depth play area. The high school’s baseball and softball teams take the field at the York Ballpark Complex, which hosts weekend tournaments. Parks throughout the city are threaded with walking and biking trails. The York Country Club is private, but its 18-hole championship golf course welcomes guests and visitors.
Family-friendly outdoor fun at Peyton Parker Lane Playground in York.
York’s Parks and Recreation department features a Family Aquatic Center with waterslides, climbing walls and a zero-depth play area.
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Groundwater contamination and crime risk
Groundwater contamination issues have plagued the area for decades. The Environmental Protection Agency monitors the situation with periodic private well sampling activities.
According to FBI data, violent and property crime rates are lower than in Lincoln. Incidents of violent crime can vary from year to year but went down between 2022 and 2023. Numbers for property-related crimes have held relatively steady over the past several years.
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Seth Johanson
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristen Reimers,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in York, NE sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in York, NE over the last 12 months is $202,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Cute & charming home just hitting the York, NE market! Covered front porch facing the west - perfect space to sit out and enjoy! 2 bedrooms on the main floor with a full bathroom with newer tub/shower combo. Nice wood floors that carry through the living room/formal dining room area. Don't forget to check out the tall ceilings! Main floor laundry located just off the kitchen. All kitchen
Great opportunity & priced to sell! This 2BR 1BA home is situated on a corner lot with a nice fully fenced in backyard! Wood floors in the living. Great size kitchen with tons of storage! All kitchen appliances stay with the home! Second level includes the bedrooms and full bathroom. 1 stall attached garage. Utilities are also situated in the garage space including washer and dryer. Call your
Welcome to this nicely updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home nestled in the heart of the small, friendly town of York, Nebraska. This cozy residence features a refreshed interior with modern finishes throughout Enjoy a bright and inviting living space, an updated kitchen and a spacious bathroom. Both bedrooms offer ample room and natural light, making this home move-in ready for first-time buyers,
Ridgeland Park Apartments are the perfect localization for professionals and individuals looking for an apartment! We offer residents spacious, unfurnished apartments at rates you are sure to love! Seconds from downtown York and just minutes from shopping, dining and schools, our apartment rentals are convenient, comfortable, and, perhaps best of all, affordable!
Property Id: 14783431 and 2 bedrooms1 and 1.5 bath apartmentsSQ FOOT: 576-1,232Rent $695-$910BEST PHONE NUMBER OR TEXT EMAIL Garage/storage units available $60.00 per month.Water, sewer, and trash paid by landlord
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
