Merrillville, IN Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: C

Higher crime than 77% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026

19%
Above Avg Crime
1 in 210
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 34
Property Crime Risk

Is Merrillville Safe?

It's average — crime is at the national average

Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.

Merrillville has a crime rate that is 19% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 210.

Crime Index Comparison

Merrillville
119
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

Violent Crime

1 in 210

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

25% higher than national average

Elevated

Property Crime

1 in 34

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

59% higher than national average

Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?

Merrillville Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 50% above avg
Lowest Risk
Assault · 20% above avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
138 +38% Moderate
Assault
120 +20% Average
Robbery
143 +43% Moderate
Rape
127 +27% Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary
124 +24% Moderate
Larceny / Theft
150 +50% Moderate
Vehicle Theft
148 +48% Moderate

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

Merrillville Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Merrillville Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific Merrillville zip codes.

Merrillville Demographics & Context

Population
34,871
Median Income
$63,381
Home Value
$139,603
Median Rent
$1,075
Ownership
66%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 15.4%
White 41.8%
Black 45.5%
Asian 1.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Merrillville, IN?

Merrillville, IN has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 19% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 210 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 34 chance for property crime. Merrillville has higher crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is Merrillville, IN safe to live in?

Merrillville has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Merrillville is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in Merrillville?

The estimated violent crime rate in Merrillville is 477.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 210 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.9 per 100K (38% above average); aggravated assault at 321.7 per 100K (20% above average); robbery at 105.9 per 100K (43% above average).

What is the property crime rate in Merrillville?

The estimated property crime rate in Merrillville is 2,911.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 34 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 334.7 per 100K (24% above average); larceny/theft at 2,106.5 per 100K (50% above average); vehicle theft at 470.2 per 100K (48% above average).

How does Merrillville crime compare to the national average?

Merrillville's overall crime rate is 19% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (50% above average), while assault is 20% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Merrillville has higher crime than 77% of them.

Is Merrillville safe to visit?

Visitors to Merrillville should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 59% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.

How does Merrillville crime compare to the rest of Indiana?

Indiana as a whole has crime that is 1% below the national average. Merrillville's crime rate is 19% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Indiana city.

What type of crime is most common in Merrillville?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Merrillville, with an estimated rate of 2,106.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,911 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (477 per 100K) in Merrillville, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State