The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 66538 sells for about $215,000, or $128 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $808 a month.
ZIP 66538 — Seneca
The housing market in 66538 remains stable with low inventory and consistent demand from local buyers. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, supported by the area's affordability and strong local employment base. Market conditions are characterized by low turnover and a lack of speculative investment activity.
This ZIP is well-suited for families seeking a quiet, small-town lifestyle, retirees looking for affordable living, and local workers who value a short commute and community-oriented environment.
Median prices moved up 3.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.0% · poverty 8.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 66538, Nemaha County KS
Crime rates in Seneca are generally low, with property and violent crime incidents occurring at rates significantly below the national average.
The area is served by the Prairie Hills USD 113, which maintains a solid reputation for academic performance and community-focused extracurricular programs.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including severe thunderstorms and occasional tornado activity, with flood risks primarily confined to specific low-lying areas near local creeks.
Economic momentum is driven by local agricultural support services, healthcare, and small-scale manufacturing, with steady but modest infrastructure investment.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Kansas) — Kansas Residential Property Tax: Annual tax bill calculated as: (Appraised Fair Market Value * 11.5% Assessment Rate) * (Mill Levy / 1,000). The mill levy is the combined tax rate set by local taxing jurisdictions.
Commutes are primarily local within Seneca, with longer-distance travel to regional employment hubs like Topeka or Manhattan typically requiring 60-90 minutes by car.
The area features local parks, community sports facilities, and proximity to regional outdoor recreation areas, including fishing and hunting spots in the surrounding Nemaha County landscape.
The rental market is limited in depth, primarily consisting of single-family homes and small multi-family complexes, with low vacancy pressure and stable, affordable rent levels.
The economy is anchored by agriculture, healthcare services provided by Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and local government operations.
Transportation is almost exclusively reliant on private vehicles, with US-36 serving as the primary east-west corridor for regional connectivity.
Development is focused on small-scale infill housing and the maintenance of existing commercial infrastructure in the downtown core.
The Nemaha County Appraiser's Office conducts annual market-based assessments to determine property valuations for tax purposes.
Parcels are subject to levies from Prairie Hills USD 113, Nemaha County, and the City of Seneca, with no major MUD/PID districts reported.
Property insurance premiums are moderate, reflecting the area's low crime and stable risk profile, though wind and hail coverage remain standard considerations.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 66538 profile tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Central community space with playgrounds and picnic areas.
Primary hub for local gatherings and public events.
Local 9-hole course serving the immediate area.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.