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Meriden, IA

Iowa

Meriden is a small town in Iowa with a population of 130. Residents earn $53,661 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
130 Population 1,182/sq mi density
$53,661 Median Income $32,783 per capita
$98,300 Home Value $171,161 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 21.8% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$53,661 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,300 home value, $625/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,661
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,300
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.6%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.3%
49% lower than US avg

How Meriden Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population130
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density1,182/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans97.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,661
Per Capita$32,783
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty6.3%
County GDP$1,087M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,300
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$171,161
Housing Units59
Rent Burden21.8%

Health

Obesity39.5%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking16.4%
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain31.2 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,412 ft (430 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.6%
High School+96.5%
Graduate+1.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute15 min
Broadband67.0%
Libraries6

Is Meriden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Meriden receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Meriden offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Meriden is $53,661, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Meriden is $98,300, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Meriden experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 31.2 inches, including 37.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Meriden has a population of 130 with a density of 1,182 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.5%).

Population

130
Total Population
1,182
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Meriden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Meriden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Meriden is $53,661, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Meriden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,661
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,783
Avg Weekly Wage$970
IRS Avg AGI$74,807

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.3%
49% below US avg
Establishments (County)452
County GDP$1,087M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare33
Retail45
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,325
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.4 min
Drive Alone88.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Meriden is $98,300, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $171,161.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,300
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$171,161

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden21.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.1%
Housing Units59
Median Year Built1961

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,325
5% below US avg
Effective Rate3.38%
In Meriden, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 22.0% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Meriden vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.2%
Short Sleep31.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.6%
Dental Visits67.0%
Premature Death7,020/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access65.9%
Healthcare Facilities33
Meriden has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.2 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.2 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall37.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,412 ft (430 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density1,182/sq mi
Coordinates42.7945°N, 95.6341°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19035
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.8-point margin. 67.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 26.5%

Winner: Republican by 45.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.6%
66% below US avg
High School+96.5%
Graduate Degree+1.4%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,182/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access67.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants30
Retail Stores45

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.4 min
Drive Alone88.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Cherokee, IA 5,157 pop · 5.2 mi Marcus, IA 1,236 pop · 9.0 mi Remsen, IA 1,897 pop · 17.2 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 18.8 mi Holstein, IA 1,552 pop · 21.7 mi Kingsley, IA 1,427 pop · 22.2 mi Alton, IA 1,350 pop · 23.2 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 24.6 mi Orange City, IA 6,312 pop · 25.7 mi Sanborn, IA 1,510 pop · 26.8 mi Le Mars, IA 10,597 pop · 27.4 mi Hartley, IA 1,588 pop · 27.7 mi Sheldon, IA 5,386 pop · 28.6 mi Moville, IA 1,840 pop · 30.5 mi
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