Merrick County, NE

County

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Population

7,803

0.332% 1-year decline

US Senator

Deb Fischer

Republican Party

US Senator

Ben Sasse

Republican Party

Median Age

43.6

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Household Income

$54,197

1.23% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$100,800

10.9% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

4,091

2.46% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Merrick County, NE had a population of 7.8k people with a median age of 43.6 and a median household income of $54,197. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Merrick County, NE declined from 7,829 to 7,803, a -0.332% decrease and its median household income grew from $53,536 to $54,197, a 1.23% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Merrick County, NE are White (Non-Hispanic) (92.8%), White (Hispanic) (2.64%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.7%), Other (Hispanic) (1.32%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.859%). 0% of the households in Merrick County, NE speak a non-English language at home as their primary language, and 97.9% of the residents in Merrick County, NE are U.S. citizens.

In 2018, the median property value in Merrick County, NE was $100,800, and the homeownership rate was 73.2%. Most people in Merrick County, NE drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Merrick County, NE was 2 cars per household.

Merrick County, NE borders Hall County, NE, Hamilton County, NE, Howard County, NE, Nance County, NE, Platte County, NE, and Polk County, NE.

United States Nebraska Grand Island, NE

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Nebraska. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Nebraska, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Nebraska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Start Year

Y-Axis

-5.78%

Year-over-year decline

Employment change between November 2019 and November 2020

As of November 2020, there are 145M people employed in Nebraska. This represents a -5.78% decrease in employment when compared to November 2019.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Nebraska.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Nebraska across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Merrick County, NE went to Donald J. Trump with 77.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (15.9%), followed by Other (6.86%). The most partisan county was Keya Paha County, NE with 96% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse are the senators currently representing the state of Nebraska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (77.2%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (15.9%)
Democratic Party
Other (6.86%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 77.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (15.9%), followed by Other (6.86%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Nebraska for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Nebraska.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Merrick County, NE

77.2% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Nebraska

Keya Paha County, NE
96% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Hayes County, NE
91.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Grant County, NE
90.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Nebraska was Keya Paha County, NE with 96% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Nebraska colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Nebraska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Deb Fischer

Senator from Nebraska

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ben Sasse

Senator from Nebraska

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse are the senators currently representing Nebraska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Nebraska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Nebraska

Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Nebraska have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Merrick County, NE is home to a population of 7.8k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2018, 2.7% of Merrick County, NE residents were born outside of the country (211 people).

In 2018, there were 35.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.24k people) in Merrick County, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 206 White (Hispanic) and 133 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Merrick County, NE

White (Non-Hispanic)
7.24k ± 13
White (Hispanic)
206 ± 68
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
133 ± 68.2

4.25%

Hispanic Population

332 people

4.25% of the people in Merrick County, NE are hispanic (332 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Merrick County, NE as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.7%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

211 people

1.71%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

134 people

As of 2018, 2.7% of Merrick County, NE residents (211 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Merrick County, NE was 1.71%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Merrick County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 6

In 2018, the median age of all people in Merrick County, NE was 43.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 44, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Merrick County, NE are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Merrick County, NE residents was 44.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
48,994 ± 5,364 people
Guatemala
8,374 ± 2,242 people
India
6,543 ± 1,983 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Nebraska was Mexico, the natal country of 48,994 Nebraska residents, followed by Guatemala with 8,374 and India with 6,543.

Citizenship

97.9%

2018 Citizenship

98.7%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.9% of Merrick County, NE residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Merrick County, NE was 98.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Merrick County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
220 ± 59
Korea
88 ± 32
Gulf War (2001-)
74 ± 35

Merrick County, NE has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.5 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Merrick County, NE is $54,197. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Merrick County, NE was Census Tract 9667 with a value of $60,938, followed by Census Tract 9666 and Census Tract 9668, with respective values of $54,707 and $47,721.

Males in Nebraska have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,453. The income inequality in Nebraska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.444, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Merrick County, NE employs 4.09k people. The largest industries in Merrick County, NE are Health Care & Social Assistance (682 people), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (618 people), and Manufacturing (524 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($78,516), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,625), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($48,750).

Wages

Median Household Income

$54,197

2018 value

± $3,897

1.23%

1 Year Growth

± 7.78%

Households in Merrick County, NE have a median annual income of $54,197, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $53,536 in 2017, which represents a 1.23% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Merrick County, NE compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.

$62,233

Average Male Salary in Nebraska

± $2,227

$46,453

Average Female Salary in Nebraska

± $1,721

In 2019, full-time male employees in Nebraska made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Nebraska by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Nebraska

White
$48,483 ± $1,383
Asian
$45,945 ± $9,205
Two or More Races
$36,413 ± $8,665

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Nebraska workers was White. These workers were paid 1.06 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Nebraska.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Nebraska by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Merrick County, NE is from Nebraska.

0.444

2019 Wage GINI in Nebraska

0.445

2018 Wage GINI in Nebraska

In 2019, the income inequality in Nebraska was 0.444 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.297% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Nebraska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Nebraska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Nebraska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9667
Census Tract 9666
Census Tract 9668

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Merrick County, NE was Census Tract 9667 with a value of $60,938, followed by Census Tract 9666 and Census Tract 9668, with respective values of $54,707 and $47,721.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Merrick County, NE colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Merrick County, NE (806 out of 7.63k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
718 ± 133
Black
62 ± 85
Hispanic
30 ± 61

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Merrick County, NE is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

4.09k

2018 Value

± 302

-2.46%

1 Year decline

± 10.7%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Merrick County, NE declined at a rate of -2.46%, from 4.19k employees to 4.09k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Merrick County, NE, are Management Occupations (634 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (399 people), and Production Occupations (376 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Merrick County, NE.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Merrick County, NE, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (634 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (399 people), and Production Occupations (376 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Merrick County, NE has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (6.65 times higher than expected), Healthcare Support Occupations (1.97 times), and Transportation Occupations (1.8 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Merrick County, NE, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($90,781), Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors ($77,898), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($69,018).

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.09k

2018 Value

± 302

-2.46%

1 Year decline

± 10.7%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Merrick County, NE declined at a rate of -2.46%, from 4.19k employees to 4.09k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Merrick County, NE, are Health Care & Social Assistance (682 people), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (618 people), and Manufacturing (524 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Merrick County, NE, though some of these residents may live in Merrick County, NE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Merrick County, NE, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (682 people), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (618 people), and Manufacturing (524 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Merrick County, NE has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (12.5 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.79 times), and Utilities (1.78 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Merrick County, NE, by median earnings, are Utilities ($78,516), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,625), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($48,750).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Nebraska to other states, or from other states to Nebraska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Nebraska product (by dollars) was Cereal grains with $29.5B, followed by Meat/seafood ($21.8B) and Live animals/fish ($12.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Nebraska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Nebraska.

$161B

2018 Value in Nebraska

$260B

Projected 2045 Value in Nebraska

61.9% growth

In 2018, total outbound Nebraska trade was $161B. This is expected to increase 61.9% to $260B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Nebraska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Nebraska to other states, or from other states to Nebraska.

Most Common Trade Partners

Iowa
$12.2B
California
$11.1B
Kansas
$9.4B

In 2018, the top outbound Nebraska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Iowa with $12.2B, followed by California with $11.1B and Kansas and $9.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Nebraska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Housing & Living

The median property value in Merrick County, NE was $100,800 in 2018, which is 0.439 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $90,900 to $100,800, a 10.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Merrick County, NE is 73.2%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Merrick County, NE have an average commute time of 18.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Merrick County, NE is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$100,800

2018 Median

± $9,232

$90,900

2017 Median

± $7,462

In 2018, the median property value in Merrick County, NE grew to to $100,800 from the previous year's value of $90,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Merrick County, NE compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merrick County, NE the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,197

Median Household Income

± $3,897

3.32k

Number of Households

± 273

In 2018, the median household income of the 3.32k households in Merrick County, NE grew to $54,197 from the previous year's value of $53,536.

The following chart displays the households in Merrick County, NE distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Merrick County, NE distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merrick County, NE the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

73.2%

2018 Homeownership

74.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 73.2% of the housing units in Merrick County, NE were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 74.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Merrick County, NE compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

18.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Merrick County, NE have a shorter commute time (18.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 1.3% of the workforce in Merrick County, NE have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Merrick County, NE compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2018

Drove Alone (83.9%)
Carpooled (7.48%)
Worked At Home (5.58%)

In 2018, 83.9% of workers in Merrick County, NE drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.48%) and those who worked at home (5.58%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Merrick County, NE distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Merrick County, NE have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

92.6% of the population of Merrick County, NE has health coverage, with 46.2% on employee plans, 10.5% on Medicaid, 12.9% on Medicare, 20.9% on non-group plans, and 2.15% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Nebraska was $8,412 in 2014. This is a 3.43% increase from the previous year ($8,133).

Primary care physicians in Merrick County, NE see 3866 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.9% decrease from the previous year (3941 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1939 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 3878 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Thurston County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.8%). Additionally, Thurston County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (47.2%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,866 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Merrick County, NE

Primary care physicians in Merrick County, NE see an average of 3,866 patients per year. This represents a 1.9% decrease from the previous year (3,941 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Merrick County, NE in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

$8,412

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Nebraska

$4,536

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,964

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,956

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Nebraska (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.43%, from $8,133 to $8,412.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.36%

Uninsured

46.2%

Employer Coverage

10.5%

Medicaid

12.9%

Medicare

20.9%

Non-Group

2.15%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Merrick County, NE declined by 13.9% from 8.55% to 7.36%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Merrick County, NE changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.