Merriam, Kansas

Merriam /ˈmɛriəm/ is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States,[1] and part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 11,098.[4][5] Merriam is included in the Shawnee Mission postal designation. It is also the headquarters of Seaboard Corporation.[6]

Merriam, Kansas
City
Location within Johnson County and Kansas
Location within Johnson County and Kansas
KDOT map of Johnson County (legend)
KDOT map of Johnson County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°01′07″N 94°41′36″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyJohnson
Incorporated1950
Named forCharles Merriam
Government
[2]
 • MayorBob Pape
Area
[3]
 • Total4.32 sq mi (11.19 km2)
 • Land4.32 sq mi (11.18 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
[1]
942 ft (287 m)
Population
 (2020)[4][5]
 • Total11,098
 • Density2,600/sq mi (990/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
66202-66204
Area code913
FIPS code20-46000
GNIS ID485621[1]
Websitemerriam.org

History

Merriam was incorporated as a third class city on October 28, 1950, and established second class city status on January 18, 1957.[7]

The city was named in honor of Charles Merriam, a one-time secretary/treasurer of the then Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad (later the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway) which ran through the area.[8][9]

Geography

Merriam is bordered by the cities of Overland Park to the east and south, Shawnee to the west, and Kansas City, Kansas to the north (in Wyandotte County); the city of Lenexa is less than a mile to the southwest. The city straddles approximately three miles of Interstate 35 from less than a mile southwest of its junction with Interstate 635 south to 75th Street. Shawnee Mission Parkway, an east–west road, nearly bisects the city. U.S. Routes 59 and 69 follow the Interstate to the south of the city and follow Shawnee Mission Parkway to the east from its junction with the Interstate. Turkey Creek, following a roughly parallel path to the Interstate, flows through the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.32 square miles (11.19 km2), all of it land.[10]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19605,084—
197010,851113.4%
198010,794−0.5%
199011,8219.5%
200011,008−6.9%
201011,0030.0%
202011,0980.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[5]

2010 census

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 11,003 people, 4,900 households, and 2,788 families living in the city.[12] The population density was 2,547.0 inhabitants per square mile (983.4/km2). There were 5,224 housing units at an average density of 1,209.3 per square mile (466.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.4% White, 6.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.9% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.7% of the population.

There were 4,900 households, of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.1% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 37.4 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[13] there were 11,008 people, 4,839 households, and 2,903 families living in the city. The population density was 2,550.9 inhabitants per square mile (984.9/km2). There were 5,042 housing units at an average density of 1,168.4 per square mile (451.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.24% White, 4.02% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.95% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.41% of the population. The ancestral makeup was 21.9% German, 12.9% English, 11.5% Irish and 7.7% American.

There were 4,839 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household was $48,455, and the median income for a family was $54,639. Males had a median income of $37,358 versus $29,815 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,988. About 4.3% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Seaboard Corporation is based in Merriam. Until 2019 the home of Lee Jeans.[14]

IKEA announced the construction and opening of an IKEA store at Johnson Drive & Interstate 35. It added between 200 and 500 jobs in Spring 2015.

Top employers

According to Merriam's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[15] the top employers in the city were:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Adventist Health/Shawnee Mission Med Ctr 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

Johnson County Library serves residents of Merriam. The library's Antioch branch is located at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch road. At one time, this branch served as the headquarters for the library system.

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Merriam, Kansas
  2. "City Council - Merriam, Kansas - Official Website". www.merriam.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. "Profile of Merriam, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. "QuickFacts; Merriam, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  6. "Locations | Seaboard". September 8, 2020.
  7. "Our City". City of Merriam. Archived from the original on August 11, 2006. Retrieved July 23, 2006.
  8. "Johnson County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  9. "ABOUT MERRIAM ~ HISTORY". www.exploremerriam.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2006.
  10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  12. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Lee Through the Years". Lee. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  15. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2018, p.93". City of Merriam. Retrieved March 7, 2021.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Johnson County, Kansas
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