{{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Merna, Nebraska |settlement_type = Village |nickname = |motto =
<!-- Images --> |image_skyline = Merna, Nebraska downtown 1.JPG |imagesize = 250px |image_caption = Downtown Merna: north side of Center Avenue |image_flag = |image_seal =
<!-- Maps --> |image_map = Custer_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Merna_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Merna, Nebraska |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |pushpin_map = USA Nebraska#USA |pushpin_label = Merna |pushpin_map_caption = Location within Nebraska##Location within the United States |pushpin_relief = yes
<!-- Location --> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Nebraska |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Custer |subdivision_type3 = Township |subdivision_name3 = Kilfoil |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title = |established_date =
<!-- Area --> |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 18, 2022}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 1.39 |area_land_km2 = 1.39 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_total_sq_mi = 0.54 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.54 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
<!-- Population --> |population_as_of = 2020 |population_est = |pop_est_as_of = |population_footnotes = |population_total = 343 |population_density_km2 = 247.26 |population_density_sq_mi = 639.93
<!-- General information --> |timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 2661 |coordinates = {{coord|41|29|07|N|99|45|40|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 68856 |area_code = 308 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 31-31780<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2399317<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2399317}}</ref> |website = |footnotes = |pop_est_footnotes = }} '''Merna''' is a village in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census, Merna had a population of 343.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A31780&in=state%3A31|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 6, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ==History== Merna was founded in the 1880s about the time the railroad was extended to that point.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/custer/merna/ | title=Merna, Custer County | publisher=University of Nebraska | work=Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies | accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> It was named Merna in honor of the young daughter of the first postmaster.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dlas_EPVGFEC | title=Nebraska Place-Names | publisher=University of Nebraska Press | author=Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. | year=1960 | pages=47| isbn=0803250606 }} A [http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc 1925 edition] is available for download at [http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ University of Nebraska—Lincoln Digital Commons.]</ref>
==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of {{convert|0.54|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=January 25, 2012}}</ref>
Recently, Merna was at the center of a geological controversy regarding a depression in the land several miles west of town in the Loess Hills. Originally called the Bartak Depression after the owners of the land, it was redubbed the ''Merna Crater'' by University of Kansas geology professor Wakefield Dort, Jr. Further research showed the crater to be more likely formed by wind and water erosion, but memories of the flurry of importance in the small town remain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/22/tech/main515846.shtml |title=CBS News {{!}} The Great Crater Debate |website=www.cbsnews.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804042452/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/22/tech/main515846.shtml |archive-date=August 4, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unl.edu/scarlet/v11n29/v11n29features.html|title = The Scarlet » the news source for faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln}}</ref>
==Demographics== {{US Census population |1900= 141 |1910= 459 |1920= 553 |1930= 439 |1940= 414 |1950= 385 |1960= 349 |1970= 322 |1980= 389 |1990= 377 |2000= 391 |2010= 363 |2020= 343 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> }}
===2010 census=== As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 24, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 363 people, 151 households, and 110 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|672.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 174 housing units at an average density of {{convert|322.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 98.6% White, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 151 households, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.2% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the village was 40.2 years. 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
===2000 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 391 people, 157 households, and 116 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|734.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 176 housing units at an average density of {{convert|330.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 98.47% White, 0.51% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.26% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 157 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $36,406. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $18,958 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,474. About 10.1% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
==References== <references />
{{Custer County, Nebraska}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Villages in Custer County, Nebraska Category:Villages in Nebraska