Meridian, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meridian, Idaho had a total population of 130,138, the 2nd largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $100,795, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Meridian is the 2nd largest city in Idaho with a population of 130,138.
- 44.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Idaho.
Meridian Quick Facts
How Meridian Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 130,138 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $100,795 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $485,000 | $531,600 | +9.6% |
How Meridian Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Meridian Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Ada County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 237,242 | $83,904 | 10.6% | $484,800 |
| Eagle | 32,855 | $122,894 | 6.1% | $772,900 |
| Kuna | 27,158 | $96,219 | 6.8% | $423,900 |
| Star | 14,745 | $97,936 | 5.8% | $564,300 |
| Garden City | 12,654 | $70,124 | 12.0% | $449,500 |
| Hidden Springs | 3,378 | $163,203 | 7.2% | $773,500 |
| Avimor | 586 | $94,306 | 3.6% | $530,100 |
Cities Similar to Meridian
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa | 110,319 | $74,279 | $370,800 | 23.4% | 11.5% |
| Boise City | 237,242 | $83,904 | $484,800 | 47.5% | 10.6% |
| Idaho Falls | 67,725 | $73,110 | $335,500 | 31.7% | 11.5% |
| Caldwell | 66,516 | $73,058 | $367,300 | 19.5% | 11.9% |
| Coeur d'Alene | 56,447 | $72,338 | $483,500 | 31.2% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Meridian is a major urban center located in Idaho, within Ada County. The total population is 130,138. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meridian is 37.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Meridian is $100,795. This is 30% higher than the state median of $77,800. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $531,600. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Meridian is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (1.2% vs 0.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.4% vs 1.3%).
Education
44.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Meridian in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meridian, Idaho is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Meridian, Idaho?
Meridian, Idaho has a population of 130,138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meridian, ID?
The median household income in Meridian is $100,795, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meridian, ID?
The poverty rate in Meridian is 6.0%. This means approximately 7,772 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meridian, Idaho?
Meridian's population is 80.6% White, 1.2% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meridian, ID?
The median home value in Meridian is $531,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Meridian, Idaho?
44.1% of adults (25+) in Meridian hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.