Merriman was established in 1885 when the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad was extended to that point.

34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 27.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the village was 93.22% White, 3.39% Native American, and 3.39% from two or more races.

35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 26.7% of families and 30.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including 31.4% of under eighteens and 20.0% of those over 64.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2), all land.

[8] The area is characterized by humid continental climate which typically has a large seasonal temperature difference, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.