Choose Country

Meridian, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Meridian is a small town in California with a population of 386. Residents earn $61,023 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
386 Population 73/sq mi density
$61,023 Median Income $28,183 per capita
$262,500 Home Value $422,842 Zillow
$707 Median Rent 19.6% income on rent
64°F Avg Temperature 297 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$61,023 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$262,500 home value, $707/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,023
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $262,500
7% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.4%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $707
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.6%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.5%
9% higher than US avg

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

People

Population386
Median Age35.7 yrs
Density73/mi²
Male / Female59% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 72%
Veterans5.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,023
Per Capita$28,183
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty13.5%
County GDP$5,238M
Commute34 min

Housing

A
Home Value$262,500
Rent$707
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$422,842
Housing Units159
Rent Burden19.6%

Health

Obesity31.6%
Uninsured10.7%
Smoking16.9%
Depression27.6%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F (18°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Sunny Days297/yr
Elevation43 ft (13 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.4%
High School+77.5%
Graduate+3.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute34 min
Broadband72.7%
Libraries3

Is Meridian a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Meridian receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Meridian offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Meridian is $61,023, 19% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Meridian is $262,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $707 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Meridian enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. With 297 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Meridian has a population of 386 with a density of 73 people per square mile. The median age is 35.7 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (71.5%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

386
Total Population
73
People / sq mi
35.7yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.5%
Female 41.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Meridian vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.9%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.1%
13% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Meridian vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Meridian is $61,023, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Meridian vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,023
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,183
Avg Weekly Wage$1,061
IRS Avg AGI$67,482

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.5%
9% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,205
County GDP$5,238M

Business (County)

Restaurants181
Healthcare269
Retail279
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,755
36% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.9 min
Drive Alone47.1%
Public Transit4.8%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Meridian is $262,500, 7% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $707 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $422,842.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$262,500
7% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$422,842

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$707
39% below US avg
Rent Burden19.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.6%
Housing Units159
Median Year Built1950

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,755
36% above US avg
Effective Rate1.81%
In Meridian, 31.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 10.7% of residents lack health insurance. 16.9% are current smokers. 27.6% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.6%
2% below US avg
Diabetes10.0%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma12.2%
COPD7.6%
Cancer7.0%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.9%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression27.6%
Mental Distress22.1%
Physical Distress16.2%
Short Sleep36.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Uninsured10.7%
24% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,321
Dentists1:1,173
Mental Health1:267
Checkup Rate69.2%
Dental Visits56.2%
Premature Death8,213/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access82.1%
Healthcare Facilities269
Meridian has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area enjoys 297 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.4°F
19% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days297 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation43 ft (13 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density73/sq mi
Coordinates39.1404°N, 121.9079°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06101
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.4-point margin. 72.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.5%
D 33.1%

Winner: Republican by 31.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.4%
36% below US avg
High School+77.5%
Graduate Degree+3.1%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density73/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access72.7%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities269
Restaurants181
Retail Stores279

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.9 min
Drive Alone47.1%
Public Transit4.8%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Colusa, CA 6,439 pop · 6.8 mi Sutter, CA 2,671 pop · 8.6 mi Arbuckle, CA 3,209 pop · 12.0 mi Williams, CA 5,569 pop · 12.4 mi Yuba City, CA 69,545 pop · 14.3 mi Marysville, CA 12,703 pop · 17.4 mi Maxwell, CA 1,174 pop · 18.0 mi Gridley, CA 7,372 pop · 19.0 mi Olivehurst, CA 19,071 pop · 19.3 mi Linda, CA 23,215 pop · 19.6 mi Biggs, CA 2,254 pop · 21.3 mi Plumas Lake, CA 8,424 pop · 21.8 mi Knights Landing, CA 1,113 pop · 25.8 mi Palermo, CA 5,440 pop · 28.7 mi
Compare Meridian with another city: