BrownleeCH, 2009
Brownlee’s story
38 years in pictures
The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 2009 and 2 maps from 1951 on.
- 1988Brownlee is settled
BrownleeNE
Population 2: a town settled in 1988.
Photo: Stewmag · CC BY-SA 4.0
Is Brownlee a good place to live?
100% of households own their home in Brownlee, above both Nebraska’s towns (67%) and U.S. towns (73%). Brownlee has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
2 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Brownlee.
Natural hazards
Natural hazards: very high risk in Brownlee, mostly inland flooding
81risk score of 100
37% of Brownlee’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by wildfires at 28%. Storm and flood damage is expected to run higher than in just over four fifths of U.S. communities.
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingWildfireCold waves
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Expect four seasons and pleasant summers in Brownlee
88°summer high
July afternoons reach 88° and January nights drop to 13°.
Typical low → high °F
Winter15–39°
Spring34–61°
Summer58–85°
Fall35–63°
Oct 11
typical first frost
Apr 30
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
88°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
Brownlee stands out in Nebraska and nationally: a smaller share of its adults report frequent mental distress
Among 58 Nebraska towns, just 5 have a lower share of adults who feel lonely than Brownlee. 7.3% of Brownlee adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance. Also worth knowing: this Nebraska town does better than the Nebraska average on 10 of 32 CDC measures and worse on 8.
| Brownlee | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 14% | 17% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 30% | 33% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 31% | 36% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 18% | 23% |
32 measures vs. Nebraska
10 better14 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Brownlee | NE |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 8.3% | 12.4% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 7% | 9.5% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 11.3% | 8.3% |
Cherry County Hospital
40.9 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Brownlee
11pages on Brownlee
Getting set up
Moving to Brownlee: who provides what
Brownlee is unincorporated, so Cherry County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerKBR Rural Public Power DistrictEIAHIFLD · EIA
Internet1 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesCherry CountyCherry County provides services here
Register to voteOnlineIn Nebraska you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereCherry County ClerkCherry County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP code6916669166 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Brownlee; the nearest are
Sinte Gleska UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Mission, SD69.8 mi$4,714 in-state tuitionMid-Plains Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · North Platte83 mi$3,600 in-state tuition
About 0 of every 100 Brownlee residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Nebraska.
About Brownlee
Unincorporated Community and Census-Designated Place in Nebraska, United States
Brownlee is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 13. It is located on the North Loup River, 5 miles (8 km) west of U.S. Route 83 in the Sandhills region of the state.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 0.1 sq mi
Questions about Brownlee
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Brownlee, NE a good place to live?
Brownlee has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Brownlee is in here
Say something about Brownlee.
Ask a question, answer one, post a photo or an event. Free, and the parts only a neighbor would know are the parts worth reading.