153 years in pictures
The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 1880.
- 1873Meriden is settled
Each edition grades its towns against each other only.

1.5% of working residents work locally in Meriden, against 15% in Kansas’ towns and 8% across U.S. towns. Meriden has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 1880.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Meriden, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Meriden.
Values rose 9.2% in the 12 months to September 2026. Meriden’s typical rent is $839 a month, where Kansas’ towns sit at $975 a month and U.S. towns at $1,185 a month. In Meriden, 76% of households are owner-occupiers.
| Meriden | Kansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $839 a month | $975 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 76% | 72% | 73% |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Meriden’s July high stands at 89°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Meriden’s mean commuting time is 22 minutes. Most people who work leave Meriden to do it: just 1% work in town. It had 262 jobs in 2023, down 81 from 2013. Half of commuters travel less than 14 miles.
| Meriden | Kansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 6.1% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 22 minutes | 20 minutes | 25 minutes |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
On expected storm and flood damage, Meriden sits above just over three fifths of U.S. communities. Federal aid has come to Meriden households in 3 declared disasters; the latest was in 2007. FEMA puts 54% of the town’s expected hazard losses down to inland flooding, and 15% to tornadoes.
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
In a town this small, a few incidents move the numbers a lot, so rates aren't shown. No violent or property crimes were reported in Meriden in 2024.
Meriden is small, so we show counts rather than rates.
FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to police
For adults in Meriden, the share who binge drink is 19%. In Meriden, 31% of adults have high blood pressure, and 9.5% have diabetes.
| Meriden | Kansas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 16% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 34% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 9.5% | 11% | 12% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 35% | 36% |
| What stands out | Meriden | KS |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 10% | 13% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 6.8% | 8.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lacey Field | — | 6 |
| 2. Meriden City Park | — | 4 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Meriden. Close and well known come first.
37 mi LandmarkU.S. Disciplinary Barracks Cemetery37 mi TheatreSandstone Amphitheater
12 mi National Historical ParkBrown v. Board of Education National Historical Park18K visitors a year
38 mi Stadium & arenaLegends Field13 mi Zoo & aquariumTopeka Zoo
18 mi MuseumCombat Air MuseumU.S. Disciplinary Barracks Cemetery: Gorsedwa at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park: James Michael DuPont, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Legends Field: Unknown, Public domain · Combat Air Museum: Eric Friedebach, CC BY 3.0
1 within 15 miles of the center of Meriden
About 3 of every 100 Meriden residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Kansas.
City in Kansas, United States
Meriden is a city in Jefferson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 744.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Meriden has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.