Merna, Nebraska Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 20, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Merna, Nebraska is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is situated along the banks of the Platte River. It’s a small city, with a population of just over 10,000 people. The city is known for its pleasant climate, with hot summers and mild winters.

The history of Merna dates back to 1885 when it was first established as a small farming community. Since then, the town has grown steadily, becoming an important part of Nebraska’s economy and culture. Politically, Merna leans toward conservative values and has held onto many old-fashioned ideals throughout its existence.

The economy in Merna is mainly driven by agriculture and manufacturing. There are several large farms in the surrounding area that produce corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops for sale in local markets. There are also several factories that manufacture products such as plastic containers and furniture parts within the city limits. Additionally, there are numerous businesses that provide services to locals such as restaurants, retail stores and medical clinics.

Merna has two public schools; one elementary school (K-5) and one middle school (6-8). Both schools offer high quality education for their students with programs tailored to their individual needs. Additionally, there are several private schools in Merna that specialize in fields such as music or drama or focus on religious studies or foreign language instruction.

One of Merna’s most popular landmarks is the historic downtown district which features buildings from different eras of American history including Victorian homes from the late 19th century as well as Art Deco structures from the early 20th century. Other popular tourist attractions include Bronson Park which features an outdoor amphitheater used for concerts during summer months; The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument which celebrates Nebraska’s role in America’s westward expansion; and The Nebraska State Capitol building which houses all three branches of government for the state of Nebraska.

Population: 391. Estimated population in July 2024: 384 (-1.8% change)
Males: 191 (48.8%), Females: 200 (51.2%)

Custer County

Zip code: 68856

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.4 years
Median household income: $31,250
Median house value: $36,900

Population by Race

Races in Merna:

White Non-Hispanic (97.4%)
Hispanic (1.3%)
Black (0.5%)
American Indian (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (41.4%), Irish (15.1%), English (9.0%), French (5.6%), Swedish (5.4%), United States (3.6%).

Elevation: 2669 feet

Land area: 0.5 square miles

Population by Education

Merna, Nebraska is a small town with a population of about 400 people. It is situated in the rolling hills of the Midwest and is surrounded by lush farmland. Most of the population is made up of families who have lived in the area for generations, with some newcomers arriving in recent years. The majority are Caucasian, but there is also a small Hispanic community. The town has one main street lined with quaint shops and restaurants and a few other businesses scattered throughout town. There is one elementary school and one high school in Merna, both of which offer excellent education to the children living there. The people of Merna take great pride in their community and take part in many activities such as local festivals and parades to show off their town’s spirit. They are also very welcoming to newcomers, offering help if needed and making sure everyone feels included. The town has a strong sense of camaraderie that shows through every day life and makes it an enjoyable place to live for all its residents.

For population 25 years and over in Merna

High school or higher: 87.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
Unemployed: 2.2%
Mean travel time to work: 13.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Merna village

Never married: 14.0%
Now married: 67.1%
Separated: 0.0%
Widowed: 10.1%
Divorced: 8.7%

1.5% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +14 (+3.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Merna:

JENNIE M MELHAM MEMORIAL MED CENTER (about 11 miles; BROKEN BOW, NE)
CALLAWAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; CALLAWAY, NE)
COZAD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 45 miles; COZAD, NE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Merna:

NORTH PLATTE RGNL AIRPORT LEE BIRD FIELD (about 69 miles; NORTH PLATTE, NE; Abbreviation: LBF)
KEARNEY MUNI (about 75 miles; KEARNEY, NE; Abbreviation: EAR)
MC COOK MUNI (about 105 miles; MC COOK, NE; Abbreviation: MCK)

Other public-use airports nearest to Merna:

BROKEN BOW MUNI (about 10 miles; BROKEN BOW, NE; Abbreviation: BBW)
SARGENT MUNI (about 32 miles; SARGENT, NE; Abbreviation: 09K)
COZAD MUNI (about 46 miles; COZAD, NE; Abbreviation: CZD)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Merna:

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY (about 65 miles; KEARNEY, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,588)
CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 97 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,730)
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 153 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,732)
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 182 miles; HAYS, KS; Full-time enrollment: 4,572)
WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 196 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 216 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA (about 217 miles; LINCOLN, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,137)

Schools

Public high school in Merna:

HIGH SCHOOL AT MERNA (Students: 142; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Merna:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT MERNA (Students: 109; Grades: PK – 06)

Libraries

Library in Merna:

BRENIZER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $11,096; Location: 430 WEST CENTER AVENUE; 14,640 books; 14 audio materials; 110 video materials; 44 serial subscriptions)