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D

Is Merrillville, Indiana Safe?

Population 37,407 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Merrillville faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 83% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,974 per 100K.

Merrillville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMerrillvilleIndiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate349.4309.2363.8
Property Crime Rate2298.02091.51,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate223.0--268.2
Theft Rate1974.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate559.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

264.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

349/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2298/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Merrillville

Violent crime in Merrillville is close to the national average. The rate of 349.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2298.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,974 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Merrillville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault223
083% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary288
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,974
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft559
01.8x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Merrillville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Merrillville
349.4
State
309.2
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Merrillville
2298.0
State
2091.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Merrillville Safety

Is Merrillville safe?
Not especially. Merrillville earns a D with a crime rate of 264.7 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 Merrillville?
264.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2298.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Merrillville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Merrillville's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,974 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Merrillville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Merrillville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Merrillville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Merrillville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Merrillville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Merrillville compare to other cities in Indiana?
Below average for the state. Merrillville ranks behind about 84% of Indiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Merrillville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Merrillville?
Bad. A D grade and 264.7 per-thousand rate put Merrillville below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 349 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Merrillville?
349.4 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (223), robbery (60), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all Indiana 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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