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CITY

Merna

Nebraska · 344 residents (2025 est.) · 0.536 sq mi
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The short version

Merna has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $61,875. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $100,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
383
−2%since 2000
from 391 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
715 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 729 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.3
+2%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:344 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3273704134564991990201020202024Merna
2024383
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,875
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,736
+79%since 2000
from $15,474 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.0%
+35.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.358
−7%since 2010
from 0.385 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction12.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,000
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$983
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $413 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.1%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 79.6% in 2000
26.9% rent
Vacancy rate
13.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.9%
+32.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.6
+43%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
47
RELATED:See current rent listings in Merna on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(381)
Black0.5%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(17)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(330)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(12)
Asian0%(0)
Other10.7%(41)
Diversity Score30.6%(117)
Diversity Score
31
+589%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.9%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.0 min
+32%since 2000
from 9.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.0%
+30.5 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.9%
−37.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
5.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 65.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.8%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.1%
−9.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.3%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.7% in 2009
Female
45.7%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−57.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2012
from 6.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−80.2 ptssince 2013
from 87.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.9%
+33.9 ptssince 2017
from 59.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Merna, Nebraska?

Merna, Nebraska has about 383 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Merna, Nebraska?

The typical household in Merna, Nebraska earns about $61,875 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Merna, Nebraska expensive?

In Merna, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $100,000, and the typical rent is about $983 a month.

How educated are people in Merna, Nebraska?

About 14.4% of adults age 25 and over in Merna, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Merna, Nebraska?

About 19.7% of people in Merna, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Merna, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Merna, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1 residents, a change of about 0 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Merna, Nebraska: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy