Merrick County, Nebraska

History

Merrick County was formed in 1858, and was organized in 1864. It was named for Elvira Merrick, the maiden name of the wife of territorial legislator Henry W. DePuy, who introduced the bill that created the county.

When first formed, the county was bounded on the south by the Platte River, and by straight lines on the north, east, and west; enclosing 180 mi2 of the Pawnee Reservation, which had been established in 1857. In 1873, the state legislature removed these reservation lands from the county, leaving it with a jagged northern border from which narrow panhandles extended northward from the northeast and northwest corners. In 1897, the Pawnee Reservation became Nance County.

Geography

The terrain of Merrick County is low rolling plains, sloping to the east and northeast. Most of the area is under cultivation. The Platte River flows northeastward along the southeast border line of the county. A smaller drainage, Prairie Creek, parallels the river, flowing northeastward through the center of the county before discharging into the Platte River northeast of Merrick County. The county has an area of 494 sqmi, of which 485 sqmi is land and 9.6 sqmi (1.9%) is water.

Major highways

• [[File:US 30.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 30
• [[File:N-14.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 14
• [[File:N-22.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 22
• [[File:N-39.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 39
• [[File:N-92.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 92

Adjacent counties

• Platte County – northeast
• Polk County – east
• Hamilton County – south
• Hall County – southwest
• Howard County – west
• Nance County – north

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,668. The median age was 42.8 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.9% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,072 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 18.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,548 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.6% were owner-occupied and 23.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 8,204 people, 3,209 households, and 2,307 families in the county. The population density was 17 /mi2. There were 3,649 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2.

The racial makeup of the county was 98.32% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,209 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 27.50% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,961, and the median income for a family was $39,729. Males had a median income of $26,998 versus $19,828 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,958. About 7.00% of families and 8.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Central City (county seat)

Villages

• Chapman
• Clarks
• Palmer
• Silver Creek

Census-designated place

• Archer

Unincorporated communities

• Havens
• Lockwood
• Paddock
• Worms

Townships

• Central
• Chapman
• Clarksville
• Lone Tree
• Loup
• Mead
• Midland
• Prairie Creek
• Prairie Island
• Silver Creek
• Vieregg

Politics

Merrick County voters have been strongly Republican for decades. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

References

References

1. "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". US Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder. (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism.
4. (August 1, 1992). "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey Reconnaissance Survey Final Report of Merrick County, Nebraska". Nebraska State Historical Society.
5. Andreas, A. T.. (1882). "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska".
6. "Nebraska Place Names (1925)". NEGenWeb Project.
7. [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/county/merrick/olres/mcf100y/pages/mcfp0001.html "Merrick County's 100th Year: 1858-1958".]{{dead link. (January 2018)
8. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Merrick+County,+NE/@41.3271251,-97.8317663,15.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x879a04f2f9335a33:0x873749161fcf4c6f!8m2!3d41.2031926!4d-98.0028892 ''Merrick County NE'' Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)]
9. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau.
10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
14. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
16. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
17. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
18. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau.
19. [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]