Merritt Neighborhood, Oakland
Crime Rate & Statistics
High crime area — exercise caution, especially at night
Safer than 6% of neighborhoods in Oakland
Safety at a Glance
Check a specific address
in Oakland
Is Merritt Safe?
No — this is a high-crime area. Merritt in Oakland, CA has a safety grade of D-. The overall crime index is 196, which is 96% above the national average of 100. Merritt is safer than 6% of neighborhoods in Oakland.
Compared to the Oakland average (crime index 135), Merritt is 61% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, murder is the most elevated concern (index: 194, 94% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 155).
Merritt Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Oakland city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
194 | +94% | High | |
|
Assault
|
193 | +93% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
181 | +81% | High | |
|
Rape
|
189 | +89% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
155 | +55% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
185 | +85% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
192 | +92% | High | |
How Merritt Compares
Crime index by category: Merritt vs Oakland average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Merritt Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Merritt Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Merritt, Oakland?
Merritt in Oakland, CA has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 196, which is 96% above the national average. Compared to the Oakland average, crime in Merritt is 61% higher. Merritt is safer than 6% of neighborhoods in Oakland.
Is Merritt a safe neighborhood in Oakland?
Merritt has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Murder (index: 194), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 155).
How does Merritt compare to the rest of Oakland?
Merritt's overall crime index is 196, compared to the Oakland average of 135. This means crime in Merritt is 61% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 189, and for property crime it is 177. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Merritt?
The most prevalent crime type in Merritt is Murder, with a crime index of 194 (94% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.
What are safer neighborhoods near Merritt?
Nearby neighborhoods include Laney College, Civic Center, East Peralta, Ivy Hill. Check their individual crime statistics pages for detailed safety information.
What are the demographics of Merritt?
Merritt has a population of approximately 3,033. The median household income is $38,727. The median home value is $791,589. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Merritt crime compare to the national average?
Merritt's overall crime rate is 96% above the national average (index 196 vs 100). Within Oakland, it is safer than 6% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.