Merna, NE

Nebraska

Merna is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 380. Residents earn $73,500 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
380 Population 704/sq mi density
$73,500 Median Income $32,828 per capita
$107,500 Home Value $165,384 Zillow
$1,083 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,500 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,500 home value, $1,083/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,500
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $107,500
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,083
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.1%
35% lower than US avg

How Merna Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population380
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density704/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,500
Per Capita$32,828
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty8.1%
County GDP$882M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$107,500
Rent$1,083
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,384

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.4%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain23.0 in/yr
Elevation2,661 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+94.7%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 13%
Commute14 min
Libraries7

Is Merna a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Merna receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Merna stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Merna is $73,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. 8.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Merna is $107,500, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,083 per month. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Merna experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.0 inches, including 29.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Merna has a population of 380 with a density of 704 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%).

Population

380
Total Population
704
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.3%
Female 43.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Merna vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Merna vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Merna is $73,500, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Merna vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,500
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,828
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$58,725

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.1%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)488
County GDP$882M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare34
Retail70
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,290
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Merna is $107,500, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,083 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,384.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,500
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,384

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,083
7% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,290
6% below US avg
Effective Rate3.06%
In Merna, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.4% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Merna vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.5%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression18.4%
Mental Distress15.3%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate73.3%
Premature Death8,243/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities34

Crime Rates: Merna vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Merna has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 23.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.0 inches
39% below US avg
Snowfall29.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,661 ft (811 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density704/sq mi
Coordinates41.4852°N, 99.7611°W
County FIPS31041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 85.7%
D 13.4%

Winner: Republican by 72.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+94.7%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density704/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants32
Retail Stores70

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Merna with another city: