Merna, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Merna, Nebraska
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Village
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Downtown Merna: north side of Center Avenue
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Location of Merna, Nebraska
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 Merna, Nebraska
Location in Nebraska
Merna, Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Custer |
| Township | Kilfoil |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2) |
| • Land | 0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,661 ft (811 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 343 |
| • Density | 639.93/sq mi (247.26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68856
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| Area code(s) | 308 |
| FIPS code | 31-31780 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2399317 |
Merna is a small village in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. In 2020, the village had a population of 343 people.
Contents
History of Merna
Merna was started in the 1880s. This was around the time the railroad tracks were built to reach this spot. The village was named Merna to honor the young daughter of the very first postmaster in the area.
Geography of Merna
According to the United States Census Bureau, Merna covers a total area of about 0.54 square miles (1.39 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large bodies of water within the village limits.
The Merna Crater Mystery
Not long ago, Merna was part of an interesting geology puzzle. This puzzle involved a large dip in the ground a few miles west of town. This area is in the Loess Hills, which are hills made of wind-blown silt.
The dip was first called the Bartak Depression, named after the family who owned the land. But then, a geology professor from the University of Kansas, Wakefield Dort, Jr., called it the Merna Crater. He thought it might have been formed by something hitting the Earth, like a meteorite.
However, more studies showed that the "crater" was likely formed by natural forces. Wind and water erosion probably shaped the land over many years. Even though it wasn't a true crater, the excitement it brought to the small town of Merna is still remembered.
Population and People
This section shows how Merna's population has changed over the years.
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 141 | — | |
| 1910 | 459 | 225.5% | |
| 1920 | 553 | 20.5% | |
| 1930 | 439 | −20.6% | |
| 1940 | 414 | −5.7% | |
| 1950 | 385 | −7.0% | |
| 1960 | 349 | −9.4% | |
| 1970 | 322 | −7.7% | |
| 1980 | 389 | 20.8% | |
| 1990 | 377 | −3.1% | |
| 2000 | 391 | 3.7% | |
| 2010 | 363 | −7.2% | |
| 2020 | 343 | −5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Merna's Population in 2010
In 2010, the census counted 363 people living in Merna. There were 151 homes, and 110 of these were families. The village had 174 housing units in total.
Most of the people living in Merna were White (98.6%). A small number were from other backgrounds. About 1.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many homes (32.5%) had children under 18 living there. Most families (58.9%) were married couples living together. The average age of people in Merna was about 40.2 years old. About 27.5% of the residents were under 18 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Merna (Nebraska) para niños
