Meridian is a city located in Ada County in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Meridian was 75,092 making it the third largest city in Idaho after Boise and Nampa. Meridian is considered the state’s fastest-growing city and among the fastest-growing cities in the United States. A 2015 census estimate placed the population at approximately 90,739. With a 2018 non-census population estimate of 106,410 and a 1,000 percent increase in population since 1990, the city is currently estimated as the second largest in the state.
History
The town was established in 1891 on the Onweiler farm north of the present site and was called Hunter. Two years later an I.O.O.F. lodge was organized and called itself Meridian because it was located on the Boise Meridian and the town was renamed. The Settlers’ Irrigation Ditch, 1892, changed the arid region into a productive farming community which was incorporated in 1902.
Meridian was incorporated in 1903. The information in the following sections (Irrigation, Village, Rail Transportation, and Creamery) is found on the displays in the Meridian City Hall Plaza.
Geography
Meridian is located at 43°36′51″N 116°23′56″W (43.614229, -116.398963).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.84 square miles (69.52 km²), of which, 26.79 square miles (69.39 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water.
The majority of Meridian lies on a flat plain, roughly in the north central part of Treasure Valley. There is a low bench along the south east edge of the city. The city is crossed by several irrigation canals that generally run from the south east to the north west. The Boise River runs north of the city. The Snake River runs far south of the city. Squaw Butte is visible to the north at 5,873 feet (1,790 m). Shafer Butte is visible to the north east at 7,572 feet (2,308 m). The Owyhee Mountains are visible to the far south.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 75,092 people, 25,302 households, and 19,916 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,803.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,082.2/km²). There were 26,674 housing units at an average density of 995.7 per square mile (384.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.
There were 25,302 households of which 47.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 21.3% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.33.