City · Idaho
Meridian, Idaho
Meridian, city, in Ada County, Idaho. Meridian had 142,988 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 21.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 117,635 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 130,138 (±82). GEOID 1652120.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
142,988
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 117,635 · ACS 2020-2024: 130,138 ±82
Median household income
$100,795
±$2,565 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$531,600
±$15,471 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$1,805
±$34 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
Where is Meridian and what county is it in?
Meridian is a city in Ada County, Idaho. It covers 37.1 square miles of land, 3,168 residents per square mile in 2020.
Meridian is in the Boise City, ID metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Meridian, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 142,988 people lived in Meridian on July 1, 2025, up 21.4% since 2020, faster than Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020 Census counted 117,635 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 130,138 (±82).
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 130,138 ±82 | 518,935 | +28,233 |
| Households | 48,038 ±822 | 202,543 | +11,422 |
| Average household size | 2.69 ±0.05 | 2.49 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 49,586 ±834 | 211,440 | +11,662 |
Meridian's population since 2000
From 34,919 in 2000 to 142,988 in 2025: up 309.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Meridian as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Meridian?
The median resident of Meridian is 37.5 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.5%. 5.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5 ±0.8 | 38.4 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 25.0% ±1.1 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.8% ±0.9 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±0.8 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.5% ±0.9 pts | 9.8% | +3.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.6% ±1.3 pts | 80.9% | −5.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±0.4 pts | 2.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±0.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.0% ±0.7 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.2% ±1.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8% ±0.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 10.2% ±0.8 pts | 11.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9% ±1.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7% ±0.8 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 44.2% ±1.6 pts | 44.6% | +7.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.8% ±1.5 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.7% ±1.7 pts | 83.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.5% ±0.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Meridian earn?
Half of Meridian's 48,038 households earn less than $100,795 a year (±$2,565), against $91,502 in Ada County and $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 the median was $87,858 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,937 after inflation. 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $100,795 ±$2,565 | $91,502 | +$12,937 |
| Mean household income | $132,812 ±$6,167 | $124,631 | – |
| Per capita income | $50,506 ±$2,889 | $49,757 | +$9,489 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.0% ±0.9 pts | 8.3% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.4% ±1.5 pts | 8.5% | −4.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.3% ±0.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.9% ±0.5 pts | 98.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.6% ±0.8 pts | 94.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Meridian?
Owners occupy 74.6% of Meridian's occupied homes and renters 25.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $531,600 by its owner (±$15,471). The median renter pays $1,805 a month including utilities, and 38.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $531,600 ±$15,471 | $512,300 | +$193,282 |
| Median gross rent | $1,805 ±$34 | $1,577 | +$438 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.7% ±4.0 pts | 38.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,993 ±$55 | $1,905 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.6% ±1.7 pts | 70.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.4% ±1.7 pts | 29.2% | – |
| Housing units | 49,586 ±834 | 211,440 | +11,662 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1% ±1.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.7% ±1.3 pts | 74.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.3 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 9.5% ±0.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 30.3% ±1.5 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.4% ±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Meridian building?
Builders took permits for 1,364 new housing units in Meridian in 2025 (1,164 in single-family houses), 9.5 per 1,000 residents against 8.8 across Idaho.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Meridian work and get to work?
71.8% of Meridian's workers drive alone and 19.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.7% ±1.2 pts | 65.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±0.5 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.8% ±1.9 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0% ±0.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.4% ±1.8 pts | 18.5% | +11.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min ±1.0 | 21.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Meridian?
29 census tracts lie mostly in Meridian, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $65,114 (Tract 103.47) to $160,750 (Tract 103.53).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 103.41Ada County | 7,016 | $147,447 |
| Tract 103.54Ada County | 6,092 | $120,185 |
| Tract 103.58Ada County | 5,883 | $120,324 |
| Tract 103.63Ada County | 5,857 | $104,079 |
| Tract 103.67Ada County | 5,940 | $82,383 |
| Tract 103.64Ada County | 5,701 | $74,405 |
| Tract 103.62Ada County | 5,626 | $115,158 |
| Tract 103.52Ada County | 4,914 | $93,359 |
| Tract 103.51Ada County | 5,547 | $110,625 |
| Tract 103.37Ada County | 5,867 | $146,240 |
| Tract 103.53Ada County | 4,950 | $160,750 |
| Tract 103.45Ada County | 4,634 | $82,016 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Meridian) · Census block assignment files
How does Meridian compare with other places in Idaho?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Meridian is the 197th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 198 in Idaho.
Meridian ranks 5th of 90 places in Idaho with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 2nd | 198 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 11th | 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th | 91 |
| Median household income | 5th | 90 |
| Per capita income | 5th | 91 |
| Median home value | 12th | 90 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd | 84 |
| Poverty rate | 68th | 76 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th | 90 |
| Median age | 36th | 90 |
| Owner-occupied share | 34th | 90 |
| Work from home | 7th | 59 |
| Travel time to work | 35th | 90 |
Meridian's figures with every place in Idaho (CSV)
Every place in Idaho, sortable · Compare Meridian with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Meridian?
2 of the 57 figures for Meridian on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Meridian are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Meridian.