County · Nebraska
Merrick County, Nebraska
Merrick County, Nebraska. Merrick County had 7,905 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 17 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 31121.
Merrick County is one of the 3 counties of the Grand Island, NE metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,905
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,668 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,724
Median household income
$68,354
±$7,261 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$175,900
±$10,564 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$750
±$110 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Merrick County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,668 residents in Merrick County. The Census Bureau estimates 7,905 for July 1, 2025, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,724 over 488 square miles of land.
| Measure | Merrick County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,724 | 1,978,707 | −74 |
| Households | 3,205±127 | 797,847 | −168 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.09 | 2.42 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 3,598±24 | 863,444 | −223 |
Merrick County's population since 2000
From 8,204 in 2000 to 7,905 in 2025: down 3.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Merrick County?
Merrick County holds 17 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Central City with 3,184 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Central City | 3,039 | $73,229 |
|---|---|---|
| Vieregg Township | 724 | $85,750 |
| Loup Township, Merrick County | 704 | $70,417 |
| Lone Tree Township, Merrick CountyGEOID 3112129015 | 650 | $75,833 |
| Clarksville Township | 635 | $63,750 |
| Silver Creek Township, Merrick County | 525 | $49,788 |
| Chapman Township, Merrick CountyGEOID 3112108815 | 500 | $53,977 |
| Palmer | 439 | $62,578 |
| Prairie Creek Township, Merrick CountyGEOID 3112140150 | 354 | $83,000 |
| Clarks | 344 | $49,167 |
| Silver Creek | 320 | $51,563 |
| Chapman | 260 | $86,250 |
| Midland Township, Merrick CountyGEOID 3112131955 | 196 | $65,000 |
| Mead TownshipGEOID 3112131360 | 182 | $65,197 |
| Central Township, Merrick CountyGEOID 3112108500 | 87 | $73,333 |
| Prairie Island TownshipGEOID 3112140272 | 72 | not published |
| ArcherGEOID 3101920 | 68 | $61,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Merrick County?
The median resident of Merrick County is 43.2 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 21.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.6%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Merrick County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2±0.6 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±0.5 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.8%±0.4 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.6% | 12.7% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.5%±0.5 pts | 75.3% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±1.7 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5%±2.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±1.5 pts | 7.2% | −3.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.3%±2.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.3%±2.7 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.9%±2.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Merrick County earn?
Half of Merrick County's 3,205 households earn less than $68,354 a year (±$7,261), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $68,487 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Merrick County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,354±$7,261 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,303±$9,867 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,170±$4,130 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.9%±1.9 pts | 10.6% | −4.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.6%±2.8 pts | 12.0% | −10.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.7%±1.8 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5%±2.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Merrick County?
Owners occupy 82.2% of Merrick County's occupied homes and renters 17.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $175,900 by its owner (±$10,564). The median renter pays $750 a month including utilities, and 24.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Merrick County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $175,900±$10,564 | $238,600 | +$33,878 |
| Median gross rent | $750±$110 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.5%±11.5 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,355±$108 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.2%±3.0 pts | 66.5% | +7.7 pts |
| Housing units | 3,598±24 | 863,444 | −223 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.5%±8.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.0%±2.9 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.6%±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.0%±4.6 pts | 18.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Merrick County building?
Builders took permits for 49 new housing units across Merrick County in 2025 (37 single-family), 6.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Merrick County get to work?
82.0% of Merrick County's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes.
| Measure | Merrick County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.1%±3.0 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.0%±2.8 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±2.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9%±1.5 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min±2.2 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Merrick County's census tracts?
Merrick County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,875 (Tract 9666) to $76,645 (Tract 9667).
| Tract 966631121966600 | 1,733±143 | $59,875 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 966731121966700 | 2,503±149 | $76,645 |
| Tract 966831121966800 | 3,488±125 | $73,229 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Merrick County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 13th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 93 |
| Median household income | 50th of 93 |
| Median home value | 35th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 66th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 88th of 93 |
| Median age | 44th of 93 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Merrick County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.