Is Merrillville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Merrillville
Merrillville, Indiana, offers a blend of suburban convenience and access to the broader Chicago metropolitan area. This town in Lake County is recognized for its pleasant parks, active retail centers, and a community spirit that appeals to a wide range of residents. Its strategic location, with major roadways like I-94 and proximity to commuter rail, facilitates easy travel for those working in or commuting to Chicago. Merrillville also provides local recreational and shopping opportunities, featuring popular spots like Westfield Southlake Mall and various community parks.
The town’s rental market is diverse, catering to different preferences and budgets. Apartment living ranges from studios to multi-bedroom units, while single-family homes offer more space for families and individuals. Merrillville’s community is characterized by a mix of established neighborhoods and newer developments, often with amenities that enhance the quality of life for its residents. Proximity to essential services, including healthcare facilities and educational institutions, further adds to its desirability as a place to settle down.
Is it Safe to Live in Merrillville?
Merrillville’s crime rate is considered moderate when compared to other cities in Indiana. The town experiences a mix of property crimes and some incidents of violence, though these are not uniform across all areas (as reported by DoorProfit). While the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, specific neighborhoods have varying safety profiles, with some areas being considerably safer than others (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes).
The chance of being a victim of crime in Merrillville can differ significantly by neighborhood, with some areas presenting a higher risk than others (as reported by AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout). Property crimes, such as larceny and vehicle theft, are more prevalent in certain parts of Merrillville, and occasional violent incidents also occur (as reported by DoorProfit). Law enforcement and community initiatives are in place to address these concerns and maintain a manageable level of safety for residents and visitors.
Housing Costs in Merrillville
The housing market in Merrillville presents a median listing price of $270,000 (as reported by Redfin). This figure suggests a solid entry point for prospective homebuyers looking to establish themselves in the area. The market is described as balanced, indicating that the supply of homes generally meets the demand from buyers.
For renters, Merrillville offers a variety of options. The average rent for an apartment is approximately $1,322 per month, with studios averaging around $931, one-bedrooms at $1,322, and two-bedrooms at $1,551 (as reported by Apartments.com). Houses for rent in Merrillville have a higher average, around $2,350 per month (as reported by Trulia).
Median Home Prices and Rent
The median home price in Merrillville is around $193,142 (as reported by Livability.com), though other sources indicate a median listing price of $270K (as reported by Redfin). These figures suggest a range in home values across the town. For renters, the median monthly rent is approximately $953 (as reported by Livability.com), with more recent data showing an average rent of $1,322 per month across all bedroom types (as reported by Apartments.com).
The cost of living in Merrillville is generally considered to be around the national average, with some sources indicating it is 1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing costs in Merrillville are 11% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes), but some data indicates they can be higher than the state average (as reported by Salary.com).
Job Market and Economy
Merrillville’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries. The most common employment sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA). From 2023 to 2024, employment in Merrillville saw a growth rate of 0.947%, indicating a stable and expanding job market (as reported by Data USA).
Major employers in the Merrillville area and Lake County include healthcare systems and utility companies. Notable employers consist of Methodist Hospitals Southlake and NiSource Inc. (as reported by Hoosiers by the Numbers and Lake County IN Economic Alliance). These large organizations contribute significantly to the local employment landscape, offering a variety of job opportunities across different skill levels.
Major Employers
Key employers in Lake County, which includes Merrillville, feature significant healthcare providers and industrial companies. Methodist Hospitals Southlake and NiSource Inc. are prominent employers within Merrillville itself (as reported by Hoosiers by the Numbers and Lake County IN Economic Alliance). Other major employers in the broader county include Franciscan Health and Alverno Clinical Labs LLC (as reported by Lake County IN Economic Alliance).
These major employers provide a substantial number of jobs and contribute to the economic stability of the region. Their presence indicates a strong demand for healthcare professionals, utility workers, and various support staff, reflecting the diverse economic base of Merrillville and its surrounding areas.
Unemployment and Salaries
The unemployment rate in Merrillville was reported at 5.7% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). This rate is higher than the national average, which typically hovers around 4% to 5% (as indicated by Point2Homes). However, recent data from December 2022 showed unemployment rates in Hobart and Merrillville at 4.8 percent, while Gary’s was 7.2 percent (as reported by Lakeshore Public Media).
The average annual salary in Merrillville is approximately $46,441, which breaks down to about $22.33 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Merrillville was $67,587 in 2024 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau and Data USA). There is a notable gender pay gap, with males earning more than females, particularly in full-time roles (as reported by Neilsberg).
Climate in Merrillville
Merrillville experiences a climate with distinct seasons, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 16°F to 84°F throughout the year (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The town experiences considerable temperature variations, with summer highs often reaching into the mid-80s Fahrenheit and winter lows dropping into the 20s Fahrenheit.
Annual precipitation averages around 41 inches, with snowfall contributing to the winter months (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Country Studies). The wettest month is typically August, while January sees the most snowfall. The humidity levels are generally comfortable during the summer, making outdoor activities pleasant.
Temperatures and Rainfall
Average high temperatures in Merrillville reach about 84°F in July, while average low temperatures can dip to around 15°F in January (as reported by Country Studies and myPerfectWeather). The town receives an average of 41 inches of precipitation annually, including rain and melted snow (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Country Studies). August is the wettest month, with an average of 5.7 inches of rain, while January is the driest with about 1.1 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Country Studies).
The warmer season, ideal for outdoor activities, generally spans from May to September, with average temperatures between 72°F and 84°F (as reported by Country Studies and myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold, with average temperatures in January ranging from a high of 33°F to a low of 20°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education in Merrillville
Merrillville Community School Corporation serves the town’s public education needs, with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 24% of students are proficient in math and 30% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). The district ranks among the most diverse school districts in Indiana (as reported by Niche).
Merrillville High School, serving grades 9-12, has an enrollment of 2,051 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The high school ranks in the bottom 50% of Indiana schools for overall test scores, with math and reading proficiency rates below the state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
School Ratings
Merrillville Community School Corporation has an overall Niche grade of B- (as reported by Niche). While some elementary schools, like John Wood Elementary School, receive high ratings, the middle and high schools generally show proficiency rates below state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district faces socioeconomic challenges, with a significant percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Merrillville High School specifically ranks in the bottom 50% of Indiana high schools based on combined math and reading proficiency (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). This performance indicates areas for improvement within the secondary education system in Merrillville.
Demographics of Merrillville
Merrillville is home to approximately 36,476 residents (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau and Data USA). The population has seen a slight increase, growing at a rate of 0.36% annually (as reported by Population.com). The median age in Merrillville is 42.4 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (as reported by Population.com and Data USA).
The racial makeup of Merrillville is diverse, with a significant African American population (46.65%), followed by White (36.1%) and Hispanic (15.6%) residents (as reported by Population.com and Data USA). This diversity contributes to the cultural richness of the community.
Population and Age Distribution
The population of Merrillville stands at 36,476, with a projected increase to 37,140 by 2026 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau and Population.com). The median age is 42.4 years, with the population distributed across various age groups, including a notable percentage of residents aged 45 to 64 (as reported by Point2Homes and Population.com). This age distribution suggests a community with a mix of working-age adults and a mature population.
Gender-wise, 47.8% of Merrillville’s population is male, and 52.2% is female (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age for males is 39.4 years, and for females, it is 45.5 years (as reported by Population.com).
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
Merrillville’s population is characterized by its diversity. The largest racial or ethnic groups include African American (46.65%), White (36.1%), and Hispanic (15.6%) residents (as reported by Population.com and Data USA). A smaller percentage of the population identifies as Asian, Native American, or belonging to two or more races.
Citizenship is high in Merrillville, with 97.6% of residents being U.S. citizens, which is above the national average (as reported by Data USA). The foreign-born population constitutes about 6.29% of the residents (as reported by Data USA).