Boise Real Estate Blog

Those of us who live here weren’t surprised to learn that Meridian Idaho was named the 13^th Fastest-Growing City in the U.S. last week.

Once a small cow town, Meridian’s population increased 4.5% to 95,263 people last year.

In 1990, Meridian’s population was fewer than 10,000 people.

When I arrived here on September 1, 2000, Meridian’s population was around 30,000 people.

Over the past quarter century, no other Idaho city has grown like Meridian has.

Along with that amazing growth, Meridian has managed to retain its quality of life and continues to be included on Top 10 Lists from various national organizations.

Much of Meridian’s growth has occurred in the past 10 years with dozens of new residential developments in Northwest Meridian.

Cow pastures with old heritage barns are steadily being replaced with beautiful developments and two-lane roads are being widened to accommodate increasing traffic.

The rumor mill continues to speculate that Meridian will be home to a 3^rd local Costco store near the intersection of Chinden Avenue and Linder Road.

Power lines have already been moved to facilitate widening of Chinden Avenue west toward Highway 16 in the future.

Most of Meridian’s future growth will occur in the western and southern areas of Meridian, where vacant land awaits future development.

Source: U.S. Census

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Phil Hoover is a licensed independent Idaho real estate broker, assisting both buyers and sellers in Boise Idaho, Meridian Idaho, and Eagle Idaho.

During his 45 years of full-time real estate experience, Phil has helped thousands of past clients buy and sell quality properties in the Western U.S.

Phil is one of only ten local Realtors^® (of nearly 5,500) honored with the coveted “Realtor^® Emeritus” award from the National Association of Realtors^®, recognizing 40 years in real estate.

 

Meridian Idaho barely boasted 30,000 population when I arrived on September 1, 2000.

There were working farms everywhere within a mile of downtown Meridian, and the old creamery building with its magnificent, towering smokestack presided over downtown alongside the old grain elevator next to the railroad tracks.

Now, Meridian Idaho has been called the “#1 Place To Live in the U.S.” by USA Today, and has also been ranked in the Top 10 of many national polls for livability.

Meridian’s population now exceeds 80,000, the old creamery has been replaced by the new Meridian City Hall, and it’s apparent that Meridian is undergoing tremendous planned growth.

Meridian is now home to new shopping centers, numerous thriving master-planned communities, and several new city parks ~ thanks to its quality of life and a healthy local economy.

The new Ten Mile Road and Meridian Road interchanges with I-84 have opened in the past couple of years and offer vastly-improved access to I-84.

Although home prices have risen substantially in recent years, homes in Meridian are a bargain compared to other similar communities around the country.

You can still find a nice, smaller home for less than $200,000.

Larger homes in beautiful planned communities with lushly-landscaped common areas are available for $350,000 and up.

Everywhere you go in Meridian, there’s new retail space that’s opening, planned, or under construction.

The new Village at Meridian lifestyle mall opened a couple of years ago and includes a theater complex, numerous restaurants, retail space, and office space.

Check out the Meridian Chamber of Commerce website for more information about Meridian.

For more information on Meridian real estate, please call me at (208)938-5533 or e-mail me.

I would be happy to help you find just the right home for you and your family in Meridian!

 

Meridian Idaho has been named America’s Best City To Live In by 247WallSt.com.

This ranking is the latest of many accolades for Meridian, but it’s no surprise to the 87,000 residents of the beautiful Boise suburb.

Criteria for the award included employment opportunities, crime rates, restaurants, educational attainment, housing affordability, and other important factors.

Here’s a look at some of Meridian’s attractive features:

• Population: 87,739
• Median Home Value: $193,900
• Unemployment Rate: 4.1% (national rate = 6.2%).
• Poverty Rate: 10.9%
• Percent of population with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.9%
• Violent crimes per 100,000 population in past year: 80 (national average = 366).

Footnote:

Since late 2000, Meridian’s population has grown from 30,000 to more than 87,000 residents.

Since then, Meridian has blossomed into a vibrant small city with new parks, new schools, the Village at Meridian shopping mall, and numerous attractive subdivisions offering beautiful, affordable homes.

Given the careful planning, it’s no surprise that Meridian’s population has grown by 28% over the past five years (national average = 6.5%).

Would you like more information about Meridian Idaho?

Just give me a call at (208)938-5533 or e-mail me.

I would be happy to send you my informative relocation package.