Established in 1893, Meridian was incorporated as a village in 1903. A creamery was built in 1897, and other businesses followed as Meridian established itself as Idaho’s dairy center. This part of the community’s history has been celebrated annually every year since 1929 during Meridian Dairy Days.
Throughout the 1940’s Meridian was home of a large fruit growing, packing and shipping industry. Local apiaries were among the largest in the nation, as bees were necessary to the fruit growing industry. The electric railway connected Meridian with other Treasure Valley towns and provided convenient public transportation, as well as a means for shipping milk and fruit to market. While maintaining its small town friendliness and style of living, Meridian is a thriving, growing community with hundreds of retail merchants, professional services, and clean industries.
MERIDIAN DEMOGRAPHICS
Incorporated in 1903
Elevation: 2605 feet
Population: 129,555
Parks: 21 within city limits
Population density: 3,814 people per square mile (average)
Median Age: Total 36.2 - Male 33.8 - Female 38
ROARING SPRINGS & WAHOOZ
The Northwest’s largest water park: Wave pool, float river, two family raft rides, bowl slide, four-lane racing slide, tube slides, kiddie play area, Corkscrew Cavern, and 360-degree looping waterslide. Wahooz provides go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, laser tag, kiddie cove and 100+ arcade games.
21 PARKS
Although a lot of land is being used to build new houses and subdivisions, developers and the City of Meridian are providing plenty of parks and fields to provide families with easy ways to get outside and be healthy. Meridian contains 21 parks within its city limits.
DAIRY DAYS
Dairy Days is the annual celebration of the Treasure Valley dairy industry scheduled this year for June 23-26. This tradition began in 1929 with the first dairy show to celebrate the opening of the Meridian Creamery.
MERIDIAN SPEEDWAY
Our speedway is one of just four asphalt racetracks left in Idaho, with the others being in Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. The Meridian Speedway was built on land that was and is still owned by the Meridian Dairy & Stock Show, Inc., also known as the Meridian Dairy Board.
DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN
Meridian is known for its sprawling subdivisions. Downtown has retained its old-fashioned charms — Zamzow’s Old Fashioned Feed Mill has greeted visitors on Main Street since 1933. Hundreds of new apartments and offices, shops, eateries, retailers and a community center are in the works, destined to make downtown a vibrant hub.
