Meriden, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meriden, Iowa had a total population of 138, the 789th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,333, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Meriden Quick Facts
How Meriden 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 | 130 | 138 | +6.2% |
| Median household income | $53,661 | $55,333 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $98,300 | $74,000 | -24.7% |
How Meriden 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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Meriden Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
Cities Similar to Meriden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Buena Vista | 139 | $51,719 | $109,400 | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Henderson | 143 | $54,375 | $77,500 | 11.0% | 25.4% |
| Soldier | 133 | $56,250 | $78,300 | 12.5% | 15.8% |
| Osterdock | 136 | $51,467 | $87,000 | 1.9% | 43.4% |
| Elberon | 143 | $57,188 | $110,000 | 1.9% | 23.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 138, Meriden's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Meriden is a small community located in Iowa, within Cherokee County. The total population is 138. It ranks as the 789th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meriden is 38.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, Meriden has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Meriden is $55,333. This is 26% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Meriden, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $74,000. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Meriden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Meriden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meriden, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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 Meriden, Iowa?
Meriden, Iowa has a population of 138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meriden, IA?
The median household income in Meriden is $55,333, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meriden, IA?
The poverty rate in Meriden is 4.3%. This means approximately 6 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meriden, Iowa?
Meriden's population is 95.7% White, 1.5% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meriden, IA?
The median home value in Meriden is $74,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Meriden, Iowa?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Meriden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.