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C-

Is Merced, California Safe?

Population 99,724 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Merced means there's room for concern. The 233.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,650 per 100K.

Merced Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMercedCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate370.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1961.42099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate292.0--268.2
Theft Rate1650.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate301.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

233.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

370/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1961/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Merced

Violent crime in Merced is close to the national average. The rate of 370.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1961.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,650 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Merced Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault292
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery89
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary246
091% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,650
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft301
095% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Merced Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Merced
370.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Merced
1961.4
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merced Safety

Is Merced safe?
Not especially. Merced earns a C- with a crime rate of 233.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Merced?
233.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 370.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1961.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Merced safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Merced's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,650 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Merced?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Merced generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Merced police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Merced?
No. Crime in Merced has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Merced compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Merced ranks behind about 69% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Merced to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Merced?
Bad. A C- grade and 233.2 per-thousand rate put Merced below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 370 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Merced?
370.2 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (292), robbery (89), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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