Merriam, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Merriam, Kansas
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Location within Johnson County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Johnson |
| Incorporated | 1950 |
| Named for | Charles Merriam |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.32 sq mi (11.19 km2) |
| • Land | 4.32 sq mi (11.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 942 ft (287 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,098 |
| • Density | 2,569.0/sq mi (991.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
66202-66204
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| Area code | 913 |
| FIPS code | 20-46000 |
| GNIS ID | 485621 |
Merriam is a city located in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is part of the larger Kansas City Metropolitan Area. In 2020, about 11,098 people lived there. Merriam is also home to the main office of Seaboard Corporation, a big company.
Contents
History of Merriam
Merriam officially became a city on October 23, 1950. It was later recognized as a "second class city" on January 18, 1957.
The city got its name from Charles Merriam. He used to be a secretary and treasurer for the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad. This railroad line ran right through the area where the city is today.
Merriam's Geography
Merriam is surrounded by other cities. To the east and south, you'll find Overland Park. Shawnee is to the west, and Kansas City, Kansas, is to the north. The city of Lenexa is also very close, less than a mile to the southwest.
The main highway, Interstate 35, runs through Merriam for about three miles. Another important road, Shawnee Mission Parkway, goes east to west and almost cuts the city in half. A creek called Turkey Creek also flows through Merriam, following a path similar to the Interstate.
The United States Census Bureau says that Merriam covers a total area of about 4.32 square miles (11.19 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People of Merriam
The city of Merriam has grown over the years. Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 5,084 | — | |
| 1970 | 10,851 | 113.4% | |
| 1980 | 10,794 | −0.5% | |
| 1990 | 11,821 | 9.5% | |
| 2000 | 11,008 | −6.9% | |
| 2010 | 11,003 | 0.0% | |
| 2020 | 11,098 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020 |
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Merriam's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 11,098 people living in Merriam. There were 5,070 households and 2,762 families. This means there were about 2,570 people per square mile.
Most people in Merriam, about 75.33%, were white. About 6.64% were black, and 2.65% were Asian. People from two or more races made up 10.59% of the population. About 12.2% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of age, 19.1% of the population was under 18 years old. About 17.6% were 65 years or older. The average age in Merriam was 38.2 years.
Merriam's Population in 2010
According to the census from 2010, Merriam had 11,003 people. There were 4,900 households and 2,788 families. The population density was about 2,547 people per square mile.
Most residents, 83.4%, were White. About 6.1% were African American, and 2.6% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 10.7% of the population.
About 25.3% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.21 people, and the average family had 2.88 people. The median age in the city was 37.4 years.
Merriam's Economy
Seaboard Corporation, a large company, has its main office in Merriam. The city was also home to Lee Jeans until 2019.
IKEA, a popular furniture store, built a new store in Merriam. It opened in Spring 2015 and created between 200 and 500 new jobs for the community.
Top Employers in Merriam
Here are some of the biggest employers in Merriam, based on a 2018 report:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
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| 1 | AdventHealth Shawnee Mission | 3,024 |
| 2 | Synchrony Financial/GE Credit Services | 800 |
| 3 | DS Bus Lines/First Student | 360 |
| 4 | IKEA Home Furnishings | 350 |
| 5 | Seaboard Allied Milling | 342 |
| 6 | Baron BMW/Shawnee Mission Kia | 225 |
| 7 | Aristocrat Motors | 188 |
| 8 | Carmax | 186 |
| 9 | Hendrick Chevrolet/Nissan | 186 |
| 10 | Home Depot | 173 |
Libraries in Merriam
The Johnson County Library system serves the people living in Merriam. The library's Antioch branch is located where Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road meet. This branch used to be the main office for the entire library system.
See also
In Spanish: Merriam (Kansas) para niños
