Merrick County, Nebraska Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Merrick County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 7,696. It is the 38th most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Merrick County is 42.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Merrick County is $62,849. This is 16% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $168,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $223,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Merrick County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Merrick County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 12.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.4%.