Is Hickman, Nebraska still a good place to buy a home?
Yes, but the window to buy in early looks different than it did a few years ago. Hickman has grown 179 percent since 2000 and now sits above 3,000 residents, with median home prices around $343,000, close to Lincoln’s own numbers. Builders have completed dozens of homes with hundreds more lots planned, so inventory is still coming, but you’re no longer buying into a secret.
By Jorin Masley | September 28, 2026
Hickman keeps showing up on “fastest-growing town in Nebraska” lists, and if you’ve been watching new construction signs go up south of Lincoln on your drive home, you already know why. The question buyers actually ask me isn’t whether Hickman is growing. It’s whether it’s still a smart place to buy, or whether the good lots and the good prices are already gone.
Here’s the real picture.
Why Hickman keeps showing up on “fastest-growing” lists
The numbers back up the reputation. Hickman grew 179 percent between 2000 and 2023, adding roughly 1,000 residents between 2010 and 2020 alone. The town has passed 3,000 residents, and median household income there now rivals Lincoln’s, at around $104,000.
That growth isn’t accidental. Hickman sits about 20 minutes from south Lincoln, close enough for an easy commute, far enough to feel like its own town. The city has been investing to keep up with demand: over $1.5 million into water treatment capacity and $4 million into wastewater treatment expansion, with a new reservoir and main line upgrades planned next. That’s not the kind of spending a town makes unless it expects people to keep showing up.
New restaurants and a grocery store have opened in town over the past few years too, which matters more than it sounds like. A bedroom community that can’t feed itself or run an errand without a drive into Lincoln stays a bedroom community. One that can starts becoming a destination in its own right.
What buying in Hickman actually looks like right now
Builders have completed roughly 50 homes in recent development phases with another 200 or so lots planned or under construction. That’s meaningful inventory for a town this size, and it means you’re not fighting over the last available lot the way you might in a smaller, fully built-out subdivision closer to Lincoln.
A few things worth knowing before you go look at a lot:
- Newer construction dominates the market. Most of what’s available is new or recently built, though established subdivisions with resale homes exist too if you’d rather skip the build timeline.
- Multiple builders are active in Hickman right now, which tends to keep pricing more competitive than a market with one dominant developer.
- The Norris School District serves Hickman, which matters for your day-to-day logistics even if it’s not something I’ll rank or rate for you.
- Recreation is a real draw, not just marketing copy. Wagon Train, Stagecoach, Hedgefield, and Bluestem lakes are all nearby, with fishing, trails, and camping within a short drive.
None of that answers whether Hickman is right for you specifically. It answers whether the town is still growing in a way that supports what you’d be buying into. Those are different questions, and worth separating.
What to weigh before you commit
Growth this fast cuts two ways. It’s why home values in Hickman have held up well, and it’s also why you’ll want to go in with clear eyes about what a town in the middle of infrastructure buildout looks like day to day: some construction traffic, some growing pains as the water and wastewater systems catch up, and a town that’s still figuring out its own identity as it grows past the small-town size it was a decade ago.
If you’re weighing buying versus renting right now anywhere in the Lincoln area, Hickman is one of the few spots where the growth story is backed by real numbers rather than just word of mouth. That doesn’t make it the right call for everyone. Someone looking for something quiet and settled is going to want a different conversation than someone who wants new construction and a short commute.
What I tell clients considering Hickman is the same thing I’d tell anyone looking at a fast-growing town: buy the house and the lot for what they are today, not for a projection of what the town might become in five years. The growth is real, but it’s not a guarantee, and the fundamentals still matter more than the trend line.
If you want a closer look at what’s currently available in Hickman, Elevate’s Hickman community page has more on the neighborhoods, lakes, and builders active there right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has Hickman, Nebraska grown recently?
Hickman grew 179 percent between 2000 and 2023 and has passed 3,000 residents, adding roughly 1,000 people between 2010 and 2020 alone. It’s regularly cited as one of the fastest-growing towns in Nebraska.
What’s the median home price in Hickman, Nebraska?
Median home prices in Hickman run around $343,000, close to Lincoln’s own median, with median household income in the area around $104,000.
Is there still new construction available in Hickman?
Yes. Recent development phases have completed roughly 50 homes with around 200 more lots planned or under construction, and multiple builders are active in the area.
How far is Hickman from Lincoln?
Hickman sits about 20 minutes from south Lincoln, making it a manageable commute for people who work in the city but want a smaller-town setting.
What school district serves Hickman?
The Norris School District serves Hickman and the surrounding area.
Thinking about Hickman?
If you’re thinking through whether Hickman fits what you’re looking for, I’m happy to walk you through the numbers and what’s currently available. Reach out anytime: 402-728-8750 or [email protected].
About Jorin Masley
REALTOR® and Co-Owner/Team Lead at Elevate Realty Group, brokered by Nebraska Realty. Leads with clarity: makes the complicated plain and shows you the real numbers early. Serves Lincoln and the surrounding communities of Milford, Seward, Beatrice, Crete, Waverly, Hickman, and Roca.