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Archer, NE
Nebraska›Merrick County
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ArcherNE

A town of 53, settled in 1887.

Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Archer

Archer, NE · Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗

Population
53
Census survey, 2020–24
Household income
$61K
median
Median age
60.9
years
Land area
1 sq mi

Is Archer a good place to live?

Archer has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

53 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns
Midland Township · 1 miPrairie Creek Township · 6 miLoup Township · 6 miLone Tree Township · 7 miPalmer · 7 miCentral City · 8 mi
Getting set up

Moving to Archer: who provides what

Archer is unincorporated, so Merrick County and regional agencies provide most services.

PowerSouthern Public Power District9.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
Internet4 providers92% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesMerrick CountyMerrick County provides services here
SchoolsCentral City Public SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Nebraska you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereMerrick County ClerkMerrick County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP code6881668816 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Archer.

Natural hazards

In Archer, the FEMA risk score runs higher than in the typical Nebraska or U.S. town

Expected losses in Archer break down as 34% from hail and 32% from inland flooding.

88risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
88Very high riskLowerHigher
HailInland floodingDrought
Full pageArcher’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesVery high riskFlood claims0 paid flood claims · No paid flood claims on recordPast disasters13 disaster declarations · Declared for the countyGet ready6.9 events a year, on average · Ready for hail

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Four seasons and pleasant summers in Archer

In July, afternoons reach 87°; in January, nights fall to 14°, and about 29 inches of snow falls in a winter.

29″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter16–37°
Spring38–62°
Summer62–85°
Fall40–64°
Oct 10
typical first frost
Apr 28
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageArcher’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 87°, January lows 14°Rain & snow29″ of snow a winter · 28 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+1.0° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

Archer stands out in Nebraska and nationally: a larger share of its adults smoke cigarettes

The share of adults in Archer who report frequent mental distress is 14%, close to Nebraska’s towns (14%) and below U.S. towns (17%). For adults locally, the share who binge drink is 20%. Among 58 Nebraska towns, just 3 have a higher share of adults who have high blood pressure than Archer. Of 32 CDC measures, Archer beats the Nebraska average on 1 and trails it on 7.

ArcherNebraska townsU.S. towns
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)20%19%16%
Obesity (CDC PLACES)42%40%35%
Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES)17%14%14%
Depression (CDC PLACES)18%18%23%
32 measures vs. Nebraska
1 better24 too close to call7 worse
What stands outArcherNE
Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth8.5%12.4%
More adults with COPD8.1%6.1%
Merrick Medical Center
8.2 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
Full pageArcher’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsMore smokersHospitals & doctors nearby8.2 miles to an ER · Merrick Medical CenterHow adults are doingMore adults in frequent physical distressEvery CDC estimateBetter than NE on 1 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Archer

13pages on Archer
The big questions
HealthBetter than NE on 1 of 32 CDC measuresWork & commute$61K median household incomeNatural hazardsFEMA risk higher than 88% of U.S. communities · hail
Out and about
PlacesLibraryCentral City Public LibraryColleges
The story
HistorySettled 1887Climate87° summer highs · 29″ of snow
Day to day
NewsWeatherHandbookZIP code 68816Town SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Archer; the nearest are

Central Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Grand Island22.7 mi$3,360 in-state tuitionUniversity of Nebraska at KearneyUniversity or college · Public · Kearney59.5 mi$8,676 in-state tuition

About 0 of every 100 Archer residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Nebraska.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

About Archer

Census-designated place in Nebraska, United States

Archer is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in northwestern Merrick County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 68. The Archer post office carries the ZIP Code 68816.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Area
1.0 sq mi
Elevation
1,742 ft
ZIP code
68816

Questions about Archer

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Archer, NE a good place to live?

Archer has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.