Living in Merna, Nebraska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merna · Census data 2020–2024
Merna has 383 residents with a median age of 39.3. The median household income is $61,875 (19% lower than the Nebraska median), the median home value is $100,000, the median rent is $983/month.
Merna is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Merna at a glance
- Population
- 383
- Median age
- 39.3State: 37.2
- Median household income
- $61,875State: $76,475
- Median home value
- $100,000State: $238,600
- Median rent
- $983/moState: $1,072
- Homeowners
- 73.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.4%
- Average commute
- 13 min
Is Merna a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 13 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Nebraska median; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Merna
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merna the median home value is $100,000, 70% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $983 per month, which is 43.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,292 a month in housing costs.
Merna median household income
The median household income in Merna is $61,875 and the income per person is $27,736. 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Nebraska: 10.6%).
Housing in Merna: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 180
- Owner-occupied
- 73.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 26.9%
- Vacant
- 13.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1962
- Average household size
- 2.46
Merna demographics
- Population
- 383
- Median age
- 39.3
- Under 18
- 28.5%
- 65 and older
- 16.2%
- Households
- 156
- Foreign-born
- 0.3%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merna ›
Education in Merna
14.4% of adults 25 and older in Merna have a bachelor's degree or higher (Nebraska: 34.6%), and 3.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Merna
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 3%
- Average commute
- 13 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 4%
- Drive alone
- 74%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.9%
Merna vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merna | 383 | $61,875 | $100,000 | $983 |
| Broken Bow | 3,502 | $60,129 | $133,200 | $876 |
| Callaway | 562 | $51,146 | $149,100 | $631 |
| Arnold | 945 | $64,688 | $146,700 | $946 |
| Sargent | 534 | $54,423 | $57,900 | $631 |
| Oconto | 167 | $55,625 | $60,000 | $875 |
| Ansley | 563 | $64,688 | $89,800 | $1,034 |
| Taylor | 142 | $50,833 | $73,300 | $950 |
| Mason City | 189 | $64,375 | — | $838 |
More for people moving to Merna
Merna ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Merna: FAQ
What is the median household income in Merna, NE?
The median household income in Merna is $61,875, 19% lower than the Nebraska median of $76,475 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Merna?
The median home value in Merna is $100,000, compared with $238,600 in Nebraska.
How much is rent in Merna?
The median gross rent in Merna is $983 per month, about 43.1% of household income.
Is Merna, NE a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 13 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Nebraska median; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
What is the median age in Merna?
The median age in Merna is 39.3 years (Nebraska: 37.2).
How long is the commute in Merna?
The average commute to work in Merna is 13 minutes; 4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Merna?
The unemployment rate in Merna is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Merna?
14.4% of adults in Merna have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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