**History of Merriam, Kansas:**
– Merriam incorporated as a third-class city on October 28, 1950, and achieved second-class city status on January 18, 1957.
– Named after Charles Merriam, former secretary/treasurer of the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad.
– Geography: The city is bordered by Overland Park, Shawnee, and Kansas City, Kansas, with Lenexa nearby.
– The city’s location was influenced by the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, which ran through the area.
**Demographics and Census Data:**
– In 2020, Merriam had a population of 11,098 people, with a median age of 38.2 years.
– 29.8% of the population had a bachelor’s degree or higher, with a median household income of $63,347.
– The poverty rate was 5.3% for families and 9.0% for the total population.
– Racial makeup: 75.33% white, 6.64% black, 2.65% Asian, with 12.2% identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
**Economy and Major Establishments:**
– Seaboard Corporation and Lee Jeans were headquartered in Merriam.
– The opening of an IKEA store in 2015 created between 200 and 500 jobs.
– The Johnson County Library serves residents, with the Antioch branch once serving as the system’s headquarters.
– The city is accessible via Johnson Drive and Interstate 35.
**Geographic Information and City Reports:**
– Merriam is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, with Kansas City, Missouri, as the central city.
– Major nearby cities include Independence, Kansas City, Kansas, Olathe, and Overland Park.
– The city’s population and housing occupancy status were last updated in 2010.
– The City of Merriam issues Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports providing detailed financial information.
**Data Sources and Portals:**
– ExploreMerriam.com offers historical information, while the US Census Bureau provides data on demographics and socio-economic factors.
– Archived records are available for public access, covering household types, educational attainment, income, and poverty status.
– Online portals provide access to official city information, including references to historical records and demographic data.
Merriam /ˈmɛriəm/ is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States, and part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 11,098. Merriam is included in the Shawnee Mission postal designation. It is also the headquarters of Seaboard Corporation.
Merriam, Kansas | |
|---|---|
 Location within Johnson County and Kansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 39°01′07″N 94°41′36″W / 39.01861°N 94.69333°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Johnson |
| Incorporated | 1950 |
| Named for | Charles Merriam |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bob Pape |
| 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) | |
| • Total | 11,098 |
| • Density | 2,600/sq mi (990/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 66202-66204 |
| Area code | 913 |
| FIPS code | 20-46000 |
| GNIS ID | 485621 |
| Website | merriam.org |
Definition from ChatGPT:
Merriam, Kansas:
Merriam is a city located in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is a suburb of Kansas City and has a population of around 11,000 residents. Merriam is known for its parks, shopping centers, and community events.