Population 137,789 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Meridian: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Meridian
Household size in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.93 | 2.75 | 2.72 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.95 | 2.79 | 2.78 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.83 | 2.75 | 2.76 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.79 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.05 | +0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Meridian average 2.82 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.93, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.4 | 34.6 | 35.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.9 | 35.8 | 36.6 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.2 | 37.2 | 37.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.7 | 38.4 | 38.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +3.8 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Meridian is 37.7 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 33.4, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 10.5% | 10.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 10.4% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 9.5% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Meridian, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Meridian
Renters in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 29.5% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.3% | 31.9% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.8% | 30.3% | 30.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 27.5% | 27.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Meridian is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 26.4% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 7.9% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 7.2% | 11.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 5.6% | 10.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 5.6% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.3 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Meridian than nationally: 5.6%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Boise area. Vacancy is down 0.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1999 | 1989 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1999 | 1989 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2002 | 1991 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2008 | 1996 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +7 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Meridian is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2008, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1999 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Only one other Idaho city with 5,000+ people has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,071 | $884 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,114 | $921 | $820 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,213 | $1,075 | $941 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,190 | $1,700 | $1,407 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,119 | +$815 | +$641 | +$606 |
Rent in Meridian runs $2,190 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,119 a month from 2006–10, a 105% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.1% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Meridian has the highest rents of any Idaho city with 5,000+ people.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Meridian
Bachelor's degrees in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3% | 28.8% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.4% | 30.0% | 25.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.9% | 31.6% | 27.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 43.6% | 36.9% | 31.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +8.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Meridian than nationally: 43.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.3 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.9% | 89.5% | 88.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.6% | 90.1% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.8% | 91.7% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.9% | 92.7% | 92.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Meridian: 95.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.0 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Meridian has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Idaho cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Meridian
| Period | Meridian | Boise area | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 7.7% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 8.4% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 3.2% | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −4.5 pts | −3.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Meridian has been low: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.1 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Meridian compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | 2.82 | 37.7 | 7.9% | 24.8% | 5.6% | 2008 | $2,190 | 43.6% | 95.9% | 2.7% |
| Eagle | 2.64 | 45.7 | 6.7% | 15.3% | 6.7% | 2006 | $1,905 | 55.8% | 96.7% | 2.1% |
| Garden City | 2.38 | 43.0 | 8.5% | 27.9% | 4.5% | 2001 | $1,787 | 48.1% | 95.2% | 4.6% |
| Boise area | 2.71 | 38.4 | 9.3% | 27.5% | 5.6% | 1996 | $1,700 | 36.9% | 92.7% | 3.2% |
| Star | 2.86 | 42.7 | 7.8% | 16.8% | 5.4% | 2011 | $2,183 | 35.9% | 97.3% | 6.9% |
| Kuna | 2.92 | 35.3 | 11.9% | 16.8% | 4.2% | 2003 | $1,720 | 25.1% | 92.0% | 1.9% |
| Mora | 3.12 | 32.9 | 7.7% | 11.3% | 6.2% | 2007 | $2,304 | 35.0% | 95.7% | 1.4% |
| Nampa | 2.84 | 36.2 | 11.6% | 26.5% | 4.8% | 1994 | $1,538 | 25.1% | 89.5% | 2.9% |
| Knowlton Heights | 2.93 | 35.0 | 9.1% | 11.1% | 3.9% | 1999 | $1,664 | 10.7% | 87.5% | 11.2% |
| Middleton | 3.02 | 38.9 | 8.1% | 9.3% | 4.0% | 2005 | $1,215 | 26.2% | 93.6% | 5.4% |
| Sunnyslope | 2.41 | 36.6 | 12.1% | 7.8% | 8.7% | 2012 | $1,497 | 21.0% | 91.8% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Worth, FL · Land O' Lakes, FL · Lansing, MI · Lancaster, PA · Lafayette, LA · Lacey, WA · Lafayette, IN · Lancaster, CA · Leesburg, VA · Lawton, OK
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Meridian. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.