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Moving to Central City, Nebraska

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Central City, Nebraska is a small city located in Merrick County in the state of Nebraska. It is situated on the banks of the Platte River, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. The population of Central City is just over 4,000 people, making it one of the smallest cities in the state. Despite its small size, Central City offers plenty to do and see for locals and visitors alike.

The downtown area of Central City is filled with unique shops and restaurants that offer a variety of products and services to choose from. There are several antique stores where you can find unique items for your home or as gifts for friends or family. Several clothing stores provide fashionable attire for all occasions, while other retailers offer a variety of toys and games to keep children entertained.

For outdoor activities, Central City has plenty to offer. The city is home to several parks including Memorial Park which features playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails along the Platte River. There are also several golf courses nearby that provide hours of entertainment for golfers of all skill levels. Fishing is also popular in Central City with many lakes located nearby that offer excellent trout fishing opportunities.

Central City also offers a variety of cultural events throughout the year such as art shows, music festivals and theater performances at the local high school auditorium or community center. The city also hosts an annual fall festival which features carnival rides, games, food vendors and live music performances from local bands. This event draws people from all over Merrick County each year who come out to enjoy some fun with their families and friends.

Overall, Central City is a great place to live or visit if you’re looking for an inviting town with plenty to do without having to travel far from home. With its beautiful scenery along the Platte River combined with numerous shopping opportunities and recreational activities available nearby, there’s something for everyone in this charming little city.

Population: 2,998. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,891 (-3.6% change)
Males: 1,402 (46.8%), Females: 1,596 (53.2%)

Merrick County

Zip code: 68826

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.9 years
Median household income: $34,178
Median house value: $65,100

Population by Race

Races in Central City:

  • White Non-Hispanic (97.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.3%)
  • Two or more races (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (41.8%), Irish (12.0%), Swedish (9.4%), English (8.9%), Danish (5.4%), Polish (3.9%).

Elevation: 1703 feet

Land area: 2.0 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Central City

  • High school or higher: 84.4%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.1%
  • Unemployed: 3.3%
  • Mean travel time to work: 20.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Central City city

  • Never married: 15.4%
  • Now married: 61.2%
  • Separated: 1.1%
  • Widowed: 12.5%
  • Divorced: 9.7%

0.5% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +101 (+3.5%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Central City:

  • LITZENBERG MEMORIAL COUNTY HOSPITAL (1715 26TH STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Central City:

  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; AURORA, NE)
  • HENDERSON HEALTH CARE SERVICES (about 29 miles; HENDERSON, NE)
  • GENOA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 29 miles; GENOA, NE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Central City:

  • CENTRAL NEBRASKA REGIONAL (about 23 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Abbreviation: GRI)
  • HASTINGS MUNI (about 46 miles; HASTINGS, NE; Abbreviation: HSI)
  • KARL STEFAN MEMORIAL (about 72 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Abbreviation: OFK)

Other public-use airports nearest to Central City:

  • CENTRAL CITY MUNI (about 4 miles; CENTRAL CITY, NE; Abbreviation: 07K)
  • AURORA MUNICIPAL – AL POTTER FIELD (about 16 miles; AURORA, NE; Abbreviation: AUH)
  • GENOA MUNI (about 29 miles; GENOA, NE; Abbreviation: 97Y)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Central City:

  • CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 39 miles; GRAND ISLAND, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,730)
  • NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 62 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,732)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY (about 77 miles; KEARNEY, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,588)
  • SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA (about 92 miles; LINCOLN, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,137)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT LINCOLN (about 93 miles; LINCOLN, NE; Full-time enrollment: 19,806)
  • WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 102 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA (about 128 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 10,150)

Schools

Public high school in Central City:

  • CENTRAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 250; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Central City:

  • NEBRASKA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (Students: 186; Location: 1847 INSKIP AVE; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Central City:

  • CENTRAL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 304; Grades: PK – 06)
  • CENTRAL CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 257; Grades: 04 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Central City:

  • CENTRAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $132,546; Location: 1604 15TH AVENUE; 33,757 books; 696 audio materials; 665 video materials; 69 serial subscriptions)

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