View source for Merrick County, Nebraska

===2000 census===

As of the [[2000 United States census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=31 January 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 8,204 people, 3,209 households, and 2,307 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|17|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 3,649 housing units at an average density of {{convert|8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.

The racial makeup of the county was 98.32% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.67% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.48% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.