Merna ZIP Code List — Custer County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Merna, Nebraska and it is 68856. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

124.09

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

308

area code

Merna, NE ZIP code map

About Merna, NE

Merna is a small village located in Custer County, Nebraska. It embodies the charm of rural life with its friendly atmosphere and close-knit community. As a part of Nebraska's scenic landscape, Merna offers residents and visitors a unique glimpse into the heart of the Midwest.

Location & geography

Situated in central Nebraska, Merna spans an area of 124.09 square miles, with a minuscule water area of 0.01 square miles. The village is surrounded by other small towns and natural beauty, with the nearest cities including Broken Bow, approximately 25 miles to the southeast, and Ansley, around 12 miles to the east. The terrain is predominantly flat, characteristic of the region, allowing for expansive views of the plains.

Community & economy

The character of Merna is defined by its welcoming residents and strong sense of community. The local economy thrives primarily on agriculture, with many families engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Merna revolves around local events, school activities, and maintaining the village's communal spirit.

Transportation

Merna is accessible via Nebraska State Highway 92, which connects the village to larger regional hubs. The nearest airport serving the area is Broken Bow Municipal Airport, providing limited services to accommodate regional travel. Public transit options may be scarce, reflecting the village's rural nature.

History

Merna was established in the late 19th century and has since developed a rich agricultural heritage. The village has been home to various key industries focusing on farming and livestock, which remain integral to its economy today. Notable events include community gatherings that celebrate Merna's history and promote local culture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Merna is that despite its small size, it holds a profound connection to Nebraska's agricultural roots. The village is also a part of the scenic Sandhills region, which is famous for its rolling hills and prairie landscapes.

ZIP codes for Merna, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68856	Merna	Custer	View map

Demographics & statistics

704

Population

32.9

Median age

$77,500

Median household income

$39,091

Per capita income

$175,000

Median home value

$923

Median monthly rent

74.8%

Home ownership

8.4%

Poverty rate

1.7%

Unemployment

233

Housing units

25.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	220	31.3%
18 and over	484	68.8%
65 and over	120	17.0%
Median age	32.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.8%

Hispanic or Latino 4.9%

Other race 4.3%

Two or more races 3%

Group	Count	%
White	650	87.8%
Hispanic or Latino	36	4.9%
Other race	32	4.3%
Two or more races	22	3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.1%

$10k–$15k 0.4%

$15k–$25k 4.6%

$25k–$35k 6.1%

$35k–$50k 16.8%

$50k–$75k 20.6%

$75k–$100k 20.2%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k+ 10.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.1%
$10k–$15k	0.4%
$15k–$25k	4.6%
$25k–$35k	6.1%
$35k–$50k	16.8%
$50k–$75k	20.6%
$75k–$100k	20.2%
$100k–$150k	16.8%
$150k–$200k	3.1%
$200k+	10.3%
Median income	$77,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.4%

$50k–$100k 16.8%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 15.3%

$200k–$300k 23.5%

$300k–$500k 10.2%

$500k–$1M 4.6%

$1M+ 2.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$175,000
Median rent / month	$923
Owner occupied	74.8%
Renter occupied	25.2%
Vacant	12.4%
Single-family detached	91.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	6.0%
Median rooms	6.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.31

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.7%
2000–2009	8.4%
1990–1999	4.7%
1980–1989	6.0%
1970–1979	11.4%
1960–1969	12.4%
1950–1959	12.0%
1940–1949	4.3%
1939 or earlier	38.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	2.7%
2 bedrooms	25.8%
3 bedrooms	39.8%
4 bedrooms	18.4%
5+ bedrooms	12.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.8%
1 vehicle	15.3%
2 vehicles	37.8%
3 or more	46.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.9%
Electricity	40.8%
Propane / LP gas	47.3%
Fuel oil	1.1%
Wood	4.6%
No fuel used	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	184	70.2%
Cohabiting couple	3	1.1%
Male householder, no spouse	54	20.6%
Female householder, no spouse	21	8.0%
Households with children under 18	97	37.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	81	30.9%
Average household size	2.69

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	17.7%	5.9%
Married	70.2%	80.2%
Separated	1.8%	1.4%
Widowed	5.7%	5.0%
Divorced	4.6%	7.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 2.2%

HS graduate 34.3%

Some college, no degree 16.8%

Associate's degree 19.6%

Bachelor's degree 21.3%

Graduate / professional 4.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.1%
Bachelor's or higher	25.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	12.2%
Kindergarten	17	10.9%
Elementary school	82	52.6%
High school	29	18.6%
College / grad school	9	5.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 26.1%

Education & healthcare 13.9%

Manufacturing 11.4%

Transportation & utilities 10.2%

Other services 8.8%

Construction 6.8%

Retail trade 5.7%

Finance & real estate 5.1%

Professional & management 3.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.1%

Public administration 3.1%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.4%
Service	16.5%
Sales & office	12.8%
Natural resources & construction	18.8%
Production & transportation	15.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.9%
Government	8.0%
Self-employed	22.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.4%
Carpool	11.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.5%
Other means	3.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.7

Poverty

All people 8.4%

Under 18 years 11.5%

18 and over 7.0%

Married-couple families 5.4%

Female-led households 25.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.8%
Retirement income	12.2%
Supplemental Security	3.1%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.7%
High cholesterol	33.7%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	8.3%
Arthritis	26.6%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.6%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.8%
No physical activity	23.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.5%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	11.4%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	13.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.8%
Visited dentist	63.9%
Cholesterol screening	88.3%
Teeth loss	12.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	30	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	5.7%
Under 18	1.8%
18–64 years	5.5%
65 and over	13.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.7%
Public insurance	29.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	608	86.4%
Spanish	2	0.3%
Other Indo-European	2	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	702	99.7%
Born in same state	695	98.7%
Born in different state	566	80.4%
Foreign born	7	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.3%
Not a US citizen	2	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	112	15.9%
Italian	73	10.4%
Arab	24	3.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	14	2%
Dutch	12	1.7%
German	3	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.2%
Internet access	98.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Merna, NE?

Merna, NE has one ZIP code: 68856.

What is the main ZIP code for Merna, NE?

The primary ZIP code for Merna, NE is 68856. The city uses area code 308 for phone service.

What county is Merna, NE in?

Merna is located in Custer County, Nebraska.

How many ZIP codes are in Merna, NE?

Merna, NE has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for the Merna downtown area and local businesses in Custer County?

The downtown area of Merna, Nebraska is located in ZIP code 68856, which serves as the primary business and community center for this small rural community in Custer County.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses to residents and farms around Merna, NE?

All mailing addresses for Merna, Nebraska and the surrounding Custer County area use the ZIP code 68856.