About Merriam

Flags over Johnson Drive Bridge

Merriam is located along I-35 in Northeast Johnson County, Kansas. Just eight miles south of downtown Kansas City, Merriam is a welcoming, peaceful, tight-knit community that is small in size, but big at heart. 

Our residents enjoy a wide variety of amenities and services including beautiful tree-lined streets, walking trails, plentiful parks, public art and abundant events. With affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, an award-winning school district, and our convenient location, Merriam is the ideal community to call home.

Wherever you’re from, whatever you do, Merriam is just right … for all the best reasons.

Just right for your family.
Just right for making friends.
Just right for starting your life together.
Just right for building a business.
Just right for your first home.
Just right for your forever home.

Quick Facts 

Mission Statement: To serve the public with transparent government focused on progress.

Population: 11,300

Area: 4.32 square miles

Households: 5,119

Median age: 36.6

Per capita income: $30,059

Average household income: $66,681

Average home value: $145,972

City Hall phone number: 913-322-5500

Non-emergency Police Department phone number: 913-322-5560

Mayor: Bob Pape

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Awards

2024

Savvy Award (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Circle Award (Resident Participation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Circle Award (One-Time Event)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Circle Award (Graphics - Black History Month)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Award of Excellence Award (Branding/New Logo)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Gold PRISM Award (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— GKC-PRSA

Gold PRISM Award (Events and Observations)
— GKC-PRSA

Gold PRISM Award (Events and Observations)
— GKC-PRSA

First Place (In-House Visitors Guide - Medium Budget)
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association 

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

Tree City USA

 

2023

Silver Circle Award (Printed Publication - Police Department Annual Report)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Award (Merriam Community & Visitor Guide)
— GKC-PRSA

Silver Award (Economic Development E-news)
— GKC-PRSA

Silver Award (Popular Annual Financial Report)
— GKC-PRSA

Silver Award (Juneteenth Video)
— GKC-PRSA

Silver Award (Police Department Annual Report)
— GKC-PRSA

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association 

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

President Award: Seth Potts
— International Association of Crime Analysts

Tree City USA

2022

Savvy Award (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Savvy Award (Merriam Community & Visitor Guide)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Savvy Award (Photography)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Bronze Award for Community for all Ages
— Mid-America Regional Council

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association 

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

Tree City USA

2021

Leading the Way Award
— ETC Institute 

Design-Build Merit Award for Merriam Community Center
— DBIA Mid-America Region

City Public Improvement Award for 55th St. Improvements
— ACECK

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association 

Savvy Award (Popular Annual Financial Report)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Circle Award (Graphic Design)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Silver Circle Award (Photography)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Award of Excellence (Highlights & Recreation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Gold PRISM Award (Merriam.org)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Gold PRISM Award (Merriam Community & Visitors Guide)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City  

Gold PRISM Award (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

First Place: Online Media (medium budget) for Exploremerriam.com 
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

First Place: In-House Visitors Guide (medium budget)
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

2020

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
— Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

First Place: In-House Visitors Guide
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

Gold PRISM Award (Maintaining Merriam, Public Affairs Campaign)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Silver PRISM Award (Maintaining Merriam, Publication)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Silver PRISM Award (Merriam Community & Visitors Guide)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City  

Silver PRISM Award (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Silver PRISM Award (Physical Distancing Infographic)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Most Creative Distanced #CityHallSelfie 
— Engaging Local Government Leaders

2019

Award of Excellence (Merriam Highlights & Recreation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

First Place: In-House Visitors Guide
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

Analytical Product Contest - Interactive / Dashboard Category: 3rd place
— International Association of Crime Analysts

Engineering Excellence Award (Johnson Drive Improvements)
— American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas (ACEC Kansas)

Inspire - Create - Innovate Community Award: Economic Development
— The League of Kansas Municipalities

Merriam Farmers' Market: Neighborhood Favorite
— Nextdoor

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
— Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

2018

When Work Works Award
— Society for Human Resource Management

Five Gold PRISM Awards (Communication Projects)
— Public Relations Society of America, Kansas City

Silver Circle Award (Graphic Design) 
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Award of Excellence (Integrated Campaign, Highlights & Recreation)
— City-County Communications and Marketing Association

Merriam Farmers' Market: Neighborhood Favorite
— Nextdoor

Most Tourist Friendly Cities in the U.S.
— Expedia

First Place: In-House Visitors Guide
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

Honorable Mention: Integrated Campaign
— Tourism Industry Association of Kansas

Engineering Excellence Award for Innovation and Outstanding Engineering 
— American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas (ACEC Kansas)

Top 20 Best Places to Live in Kansas
— Niche

Gold AMPS Award (Integrated Social Media with an Offline Campaign)
— Social Media Club of Kansas City

Distinguished Public Service Organization Award (Downtown Merriam Partnership)
— Kansas Recreation and Park Association

#1 Tax-Friendly Retirement Spot in Kansas 
— SmartAsset

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
— Government Finance Officers Association

2017

Top Tourist-Friendly Cities 
— Expedia

Award of Excellence Innovative Project (Brown Park improvements)
— Kansas Recreation and Parks Association

#1 Tax-Friendly Retirement Spot in Kansas 
— SmartAsset

Merriam Farmers' Market: Neighborhood Favorite
— Nextdoor

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Best Cities to Start a Small Business 
— LendEDU

Most people in a #CityHallSelfie 
— Engaging Local Government Leaders

2016

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting 
— Government Finance Officers Association

Visitors Guide, 2nd Place  
— Travel Industry Association of Kansas

Community Awareness Campaign, 2nd Place  (Merriam Historic Plaza, 10-year celebration)
— Travel Industry Association of Kansas

History of Merriam

The history of Merriam dates back to between 1826 and 1833 when the Shawnee Indians were moved here from their settlements in Ohio and Missouri. They established themselves along the banks of the Kansas River and surrounding tributaries, including Turkey Creek in Merriam.

Read More History

More Information

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