If you’re driving down Highway 30 and see a license plate starting with the number 46, you’re looking at a piece of Merrick County. Honestly, most folks outside the Cornhusker State—and plenty within it—don’t give much thought to the "46 county." They might think it’s just another stretch of flatland or a random number assigned by a bureaucrat in Lincoln.
They’d be wrong.
The number 46 isn't some arbitrary digit pulled out of a hat. It’s a legacy. Back in 1922, Nebraska decided to rank its counties based on how many vehicles were registered in each one. Merrick County landed at 46th. It was a snapshot of a moment in time when "Central City" was more than just a name on a map; it was a burgeoning hub of the Platte River Valley.
The 46 County Identity
When people talk about Merrick County, they often start and end with the license plate. It’s a point of pride, or maybe just a habit. But the identity of this place is tied to the soil and the river.
The Platte River basically defines the southern boundary. It’s the reason the county exists. The land is fertile, the water is accessible, and the history is deep. You’ve got a total area of about 495 square miles, and almost all of it is working land. It’s not "empty" space. It’s one of the most productive agricultural patches in the region.
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Why 46 and Not Something Else?
I’ve heard people argue that the numbers should have been alphabetical. Or based on the order of founding. Nebraska went with car counts.
In 1922, having the 46th most cars in the state meant you were squarely in the middle of the pack. You weren't a powerhouse like Douglas (Omaha) or Lancaster (Lincoln), but you weren't a tiny outpost either. You were a stable, growing agricultural community. Today, while the big three counties (Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy) have switched to those boring alphanumeric plates to save money and handle the volume, Merrick still rocks the 46. It’s a badge of staying power.
Life in the Heart of the Valley
Central City is the county seat. It’s the kind of place where people still wave when they pass you on a gravel road. Honestly, if you want to understand the "46 county," you have to spend a Saturday morning there.
The town was originally called Lone Tree. Why? Because there was literally one massive cottonwood tree that stood as a landmark for pioneers on the Mormon Trail and the Oregon Trail. It was a beacon. Eventually, the tree died, and the town changed its name to Central City because, well, it was central.
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- Population: Around 7,600 people live in the whole county.
- Major Towns: Central City, Silver Creek, Clarks, and Chapman.
- The Vibe: Rural, but not isolated. You're close enough to Grand Island for the big-box stores, but far enough away to keep the stars visible at night.
The local economy is basically corn and soybeans. And cattle. You can’t talk about Merrick County without talking about the smell of a feedlot on a humid July afternoon. Some people hate it. Locals call it the smell of money.
The Landmark Most People Miss
Remember that Lone Tree I mentioned? There’s a monument for it now. It’s a stone replica of the original tree stump. It sounds simple, maybe even a bit boring to a tourist, but for the people here, it’s a connection to the 1850s.
The Platte River itself is the other big "landmark." It’s a braided river, meaning it’s shallow and wide with tons of sandbars. It’s not for shipping; it’s for irrigation and wildlife. Every spring, the Sandhill Cranes migrate through the area. It’s a literal world-class spectacle. Thousands of birds descending on the fields of the 46 county, making a racket that sounds like a prehistoric jungle.
What Most People Get Wrong
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Merrick County is just "flyover" territory. People think it’s a monolith of identical farms.
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It’s actually quite diverse in terms of its history. You had the Pawnee nation living here long before the surveyors showed up. Then you had the railroad. The Union Pacific runs right through the heart of the county. If you live in Central City, the sound of a train whistle is the soundtrack of your life. You don't even hear it after a week.
Another mistake? Thinking the "46" rank still reflects the population. It doesn't. Some counties that were huge in 1922 have shrunk, and others have boomed. Merrick has stayed remarkably steady. It’s an anchor.
Practical Insights for the Curious
If you're actually visiting or looking to move to the 46th county, here’s the ground truth:
- The Wind is Real: Don't expect a calm day. The wind off the plains is constant. It shapes the trees and the people.
- Property is "Affordable" (Relatively): Compared to Lincoln or Omaha, you get a lot of house for your buck. But don't expect a ton of listings. People tend to stay put.
- Community Matters: If you don't show up for the high school football games (Go Bison!), you’re missing out on the social fabric of the town.
- The DMV is actually fine: One perk of a "46" county? You can usually get your tags or license done at the courthouse without a three-hour wait.
The Future of Merrick County
Is it changing? Sorta. Technology in farming means you need fewer people to work the same amount of land. But you’re seeing a bit of a "rural rebound." People who are tired of the city are looking for places with fiber-optic internet and a lower crime rate. Merrick County fits the bill. It’s got that small-town safety but enough infrastructure to keep you connected.
Next Steps for Your Research
If you want to dig deeper into the 46 county, your best bet isn't a generic travel site.
- Visit the Merrick County Historical Museum: It's in Central City. They have the real stories—the ones about the blizzards, the bank robberies, and the families who have farmed the same section of land for 150 years.
- Check the Nebraska DMV County Map: It'll show you exactly where Merrick sits in relation to its neighbors like Hall, Hamilton, and Nance.
- Look up the Central City Republican-Nonpareil: That’s the local paper. It’s the best way to see what actually matters to the people living there right now.
Merrick County isn't trying to be the next big thing. It’s happy being exactly what it is: a stable, hardworking piece of the Nebraska puzzle, proudly wearing the number 46.