Clarks, Nebraska

Clarks is a village in Merrick County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 344 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Grand Island, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Clarks was platted in 1866 when the Union Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. It is named for Silas Henry H. Clark, superintendent of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Geography
Clarks is in northeastern Merrick County, mostly on the northwest side of U.S. Route 30, which leads southwest 11 mi to Central City, the county seat, and northeast the same distance to Silver Creek. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village of Clarks has a total area of 0.31 sqmi, all land. The Platte River flows by less than 2 mi southeast of the village.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 369 people, 145 households, and 105 families in the village. The population density was 1190.3 PD/sqmi. There were 167 housing units at an average density of 538.7 /sqmi. The racial makup of the village was 94.9% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1%.

Of the 145 households 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.4% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the village was 39.2 years. 28.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 361 people, 157 households, and 102 families in the village. The population density was 1,164.3 PD/sqmi. There were 179 housing units at an average density of 577.3 /sqmi. The racial makup of the village was 98.06% White, 0.83% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22%.

Of the 157 households 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 31.8% of households were one person and 21.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 23.3% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $29,583, and the median family income was $40,625. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,742. About 12.8% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Clarks Public School was a K-12 school until it consolidated with the Polk, Hordville, and Marquette school systems in 2000.

Notable people

 * Arnold Oehlrich, football player
 * Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter