Meridian, Idaho

Meridian is a city in Ada County in the US state of Idaho situated in the prime location 9 miles west of Boise. The city is captivated with a peaceful aura, housing over 130,000 people in one of the fastest-growing communities. Meridian is the 2nd largest city in Idaho with a growth rate of 3.9. People of Idaho and other states are moving to the city in large numbers to take advantage of the suburban lifestyle amongst a friendly community.

Meridian relishes a clean, safe and lively lifestyle with lovely scenery all the way from the pastoral views of the farming community to the bustling life of the metropolitan area with a mountainous backdrop. The city is well connected with a network of roads, highways, and strategic routes with easy access to nearby towns and cities. 

Let's take a close look at why Meridian is one of the best cities to settle in Idaho:

Meridian’s History

Eliza Ann Zenger owned the land of Meridian in 1893 as grant land because of the Homestead Act of 1862. It was her husband who filed the plat with Ada County authorities and named the land Meridian. The Zengler family moved to this land along with other people from Missouri with the intention to farm in the agricultural land of Meridian. Railway carriages or wagons arrived and migrants established a small community that grew in preceding years to account for a population of thousand within two decades. These people mostly settled in the heart of Meridian in the region currently known as Five Five Mile Creek Pathway.

Migrants registered their homestead lands and continued the traditions of their hometown to shape the earliest cultures of Meridian which are practiced to date. The baptist church's preference for these people is the reason why the baptist churches are common in Meridian. Many people settled in the nutrient-rich land around and practiced farming; Currently, the family of those people runs local farms in the village of Meridian. Others started by doing business and the region grew into a busy commercial hub in no time.

The farming community expanded their business with livestock farming and Meridian became the dairy supplier of Idaho state in the late 19th century. The day is commemorated every year under the label Meridian Dairy Day to remind people of their potential and encourage them to regain their lost glory as dairy product providers. The new century brought positive developments with the inception of orchard farms along with packaging facilities of fruits to meet the export standards. The city thrived economically, becoming the major supplier of apples and Italian plums. Unfortunately, the business suffered losses until it was finally closed in 1945.

1941 came with an important milestone in the history of Merdian where its status changed from village to city. The first high school of Meridian was established in 1904 and is currently operating under the name of “Meridian High School”. The electric tracks for rail were stretched in 1908 to connect every corner of the 70 km2 area of land.

The city is also well known for being the home place of the famous fragrance candles company of Scentsy.

What is the City Like?

The Meridian downtown is a busy place with all the amenities of life available within walking distance. The picturesque view of the mountain scenery and fresh breeze with the scent of spring is a therapeutic experience. Take a stroll in the downtown food street and enjoy scrumptious food varieties on the aesthetics of the airy patios. 

Meridian is a city offering entertainment for all ages and types. The attractions include luxury malls, energetic amusement parks, attractive wine bars, aesthetic restaurants, recreational activities, modern architecture, and bustling nightlife.

Restaurants like Goodwood Barbecue Co, Lucky Fins Meridian, Gino's Italian, Epi's A Basque Restaurant, and Kahootz Pub & Eatery are some of the finest dining options with family and friends.

Parks in Meridian

Meridian aims to provide well-maintained parks to ensure a healthy lifestyle for its residents with 20 public parks scattered throughout the city. The people of Meridian fill the parks in the morning and evenings with elders jogging, kids riding bikes, and teenagers playing in courts and open fields.

Settlers Regional Park, Kleiner Park and Fuller Park offer amazing sports facilities for teenagers, adventure land for kids, and rented shelters with barbeque grills for families and friends to get together on a picnic in the summers.

The beautiful green landscape of Tully park deserves a visit for a heavenly panorama of sunsetting behind the mountain range as you sit by the pond under the oak tree, soaking nature at its fullest. 

Some of these parks like Settlers and Gordon Harris host free movie nights under the sky on summer nights for family and friends to enjoy. Storey Bark Park is a dog’s paradise where off-leash dogs are allowed. The majority of these parks have restrooms and concessions for night stays after concerts and carnival nights. 

Real Estate in Meridian

Meridian was established by the migrants of Missouri and since then people continued to move to the beautiful city of Treasure valley. The residents of Meridian intend to stay in the city long-term with 72% residents as homeowners. Money.com, a renowned financial platform, says in its report that Meridian is the 9th best city in America in terms of job opportunities, quality of education, and entertainment facilities with an average home costing around $290,000, slightly more than the country’s median cost of residency. There is a range of gorgeous and reasonably priced housing available in Meridian. In addition, house value appreciation over the previous ten years was 13.6%.

Real estate has experienced substantial growth in the last decade in Meridian. The city provides alternatives for everyone, whether you're searching for a stylish townhouse, penthouse, condos, or bungalows with a lawn for your family and pets to enjoy.

Education in Meridian

Meridian excels in academic provisions with a whooping 84.2% graduation rate and average IQ far more than the national average.  

Meridian School District, also known as West Ada School District 2 consists of 49 schools with 23 new schools in the last two decades. According to the Idaho Department of Labor, the school district offers employment to over 4,000 people serving more than 40,000 students. No business sector in Meridian offers this many jobs which reflects the outstanding culture of education in the city.

The district has graduated around 5000 students in the last 5 years and enrolls about 1000 new students every year. The amazing news of Idaho State University established its campus in Meridian to elevate the spirits of motivated students who can go into a college in their hometown.

Boise State University is a reputable institute just a simple 30-minute drive from Meridian if you're searching for a larger campus with a football pitch and other curricular activities. 

The Economy in Meridian

The economy of Meridian is flourishing every year as more skilled people are moving to the city. The city that used to be the major dairy supplier of Idaho saw a decline in mid 20th century but made its way by excelling in other lines of business.

The agriculture sector remains one of the biggest financial assets of Meridian with commercial business opportunities backing up the economy.

According to research, the unemployment rate in the city is just 3.4%, significantly less than the national average of 6.0%. However, the job market is growing slowly compared to other states of the US.

The standard of life in Meridian is slightly low due to the low average income of both individuals and households of Meridian residents. 

Things To Do In Meridian

Meridian is not just about beautiful scenery, quality education and employment opportunities. The city is a festivity for young and adults with outdoor attractions of lakes, hiking trails, parks, amusement centers, rivers and ski resorts available within a radius of three kilometers. Meridian is blessed by nature in a way that it has something for everyone. Kids love biking, hiking, riding in amusement parks and playing in sport centers and racing arenas. The animated nightlife of Meridian is a great attraction for night owls. However, most adults find peace in the fresh air while playing golf or fishing in a  nearby pond. They never seem to get bored of the divine nature presented by Meridian geographical location.

Meridian enjoys about 200 days of clear weather so that you can have a lifetime experience visiting these places:

• Roaring Springs Water Park
• Eagle Island State Park
• Wahooz Family Fun Zone
• Warhawk Air Museum
• Meridian Speedway
• Children’s Museum of Idaho
• Boise City Zoo
• World Center Birds of Prey

Transportation and Commute Time in Meridian 

Meridian is well-connected with a master plan of roads, bridges and underpasses which makes commute feasible at any time of the day.  The route of  I-84 faced traffic congestion during peak times but the recent project of broadening the road made it quicker to travel to nearby towns and villages. The average commute time of US states has been a problem with an average of 27.7 minutes according to US Census Bureau report. However, Meridian is far better in this regard due to broad roads, efficient transport system and sparse population with an average commute time of  22.2 minutes.

Here is a table showing the percentage of Meridian population and their transportation mode for going to work.

Job Opportunities in Meridian

Job opportunities have seen a growing trend in Meridian since inception as more and more people settled in the city. Employment rate has increased by over 32% in the last 10 years having an inverse relation with the unemployment rate decreasing to 2.5%.

The downtown of Meridian is a shopping paradise with hundreds of shops and footpath stalls booming the business and providing hundreds of job opportunities. West Ada School District offers 4,000 employment opportunities to teachers and administrative staff while the city is home to the famous scented candles company,Scentsy. 

The region of Boise in the neighborhood is considered as the tech future hub likely to create job opportunities for skilled people. Walmart stepped into Meridian to increase the employment count to over 21,000 and the city is planning to double it in the next five years. 
Newest Meridian Homes
Heritage Commons, Meridian
Average House Price: $592,500

4 Beds, 3 Baths,  2,815 ft²

Heritage Commons is a perfect sanctuary if you love to hangout with your friends and family around a charcoal grill and have a movie night later. The peaceful community is situated such that the community clubhouse, pool, fitness center, schools, supermart and children's parks are all within a few minutes drive. 

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Tustin Subdivision Meridian
Average House Price: $538,450

4 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,100 ft²

The residential community of Tustin Subdivision is situated in the Northeastern region of Meridian. It was undevelopment from 2007 to 2018 and currently one of the nicest places with average homes of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and over 2,000  ft² of cover area. The housing community is well-maintained, safe and easily accessible. It is also one of the most affordable residential communities of Meridian with all the amenities of life easily available.

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Settlers Bridge Meridian
Average House Price: $605,000


4 Beds, 3 Baths 2,450 ft²

The planned community of Settlers bridges makes a perfect dwelling for aesthetic lovers. The land hosts a scenic view of mountains, lush green lawns and entertainment facilities. Swimming pool, shopping center and restaurants are within walking distance with a fishing pond, baseball ground and a skateboarding park a few blocks away.

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Sawtooth Creek Meridian
Average House Price: $796,500

3 Beds, 4 Baths 2,677 ft²

The Northwest of Meridian is beautified by the friendly community of Sawtooth Creek. The 39.76-acre land contains about 100 properties with a spacious lawn and garage. The futuristic architecture of the houses is backed by an efficient cleaning and maintenance system. Schooling of all educational systems is available within a mile. 

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Saguaro Canyon Meridian
Average House Price: $735,000

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,886 SqFt

Saguaro Canyon is inarguably the finest residential communities of Meridian with roadside trees and peaceful ambiance. The marketplace is buzzing with posh restaurants, community activities and branded stores. Take pleasure in dwelling in lavish condos with a mountain backdrop.

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Curtis Chism, Realtor
208-510-0427 | Mobile
boise@chismteam.com 
Chism Team | NRDS# SP56593
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