What are the schools like in Merna, NE?

Merna is served primarily by ANSELMO-MERNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1.

What is the median household income in Merna?

The median household income in Merna, NE is $71,042 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.

What is the weather like in Merna, NE?

Merna has an average high temperature of 36.9°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 23.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 29.5 inches.

Merna, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Merna, NE affordable or expensive?

Merna's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Merna is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $91,500 and the median rent is $975 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Merna, NE?

Merna has a violent crime rate of 65.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 389.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Merna, NE a Good Place to Live?

Merna is a small town of 364 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $71,042 and a 3.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Merna stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Merna is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Merna city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.6

Merna's overall cost of living index is 89.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Merna costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Merna, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$91,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$975	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$71,042	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Merna's violent crime rate is 65.0 per 100,000 residents — 83% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

65.0 /100k

Property Crime

389.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Merna is served primarily by ANSELMO-MERNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Merna, NE	National Avg
School District	ANSELMO-MERNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	17.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Merna sees average highs of 36.9°F in January and 86.1°F in July, with 23.0 inches of annual precipitation and 29.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Merna, NE
Average High — January	36.9°F
Average High — July	86.1°F
Annual Precipitation	23.0"
Annual Snowfall	29.5"

Demographics

Metric	Merna, NE	National Avg
Population	364	—
Median Age	33.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	88.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	6.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	31.3%	22.2%
65 and over	14.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Broken Bow, NE 8 mi Anselmo, NE 11 mi Callaway, NE 16 mi Berwyn, NE 16 mi Westerville, NE 21 mi

ZIP Codes in Merna

Merna, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68856

Merna vs Other Cities

Merna, NE vs Broken Bow, NE Merna, NE vs Anselmo, NE Merna, NE vs Callaway, NE Merna, NE vs Berwyn, NE Merna, NE vs Westerville, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Merna, NE affordable or expensive?

Merna's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Merna roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $91,500 and median rent is $975/month.

What is the crime rate in Merna, NE?

Merna's violent crime rate is 65.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 389.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Merna?

Public schools in Merna are operated by ANSELMO-MERNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1. 17.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Merna, NE a good place to live?

Merna, NE has a population of 364, a median household income of $71,042, and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Merna?

Merna averages 36.9°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 23.0 inches with about 29.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Merna?

Merna, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68856.

What is the population of Merna?

The population of Merna, Nebraska is 364 with a median age of 33.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Merna?

Key numbers for living in Merna: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $91,500, median household income $71,042, crime index 18 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Merna side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.