Crime in Merrillville, Indiana

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Merrillville, however, property crimes account for about 92% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a higher than average share of total offenses, property crime is less prevalent in Merrillville than it is nationwide. There were 580 property crimes in Merrillville in 2019, or 1,670 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Merrillville. There were 443 larcenies reported in Merrillville in 2019, or 1,276 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 67 break-ins reported in Merrillville in 2019, or 193 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Merrillville, meanwhile, there were 70 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 202 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Merrillville, however, violent offenses account for a smaller 8% share of all reported crime.

At 144 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Merrillville is well below the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Merrillville reported a total of 50 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. In Merrillville, however, robbery is the most commonly reported type of violent crime. There were 13 aggravated assaults reported in Merrillville in 2019, or 37 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far higher, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 19 robberies reported in Merrillville in 2019, a rate of 55 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 15 rapes reported in Merrillville in 2019, or 43 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 3 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Merrillville is 8.6 murders for every 100,000 people, considerably higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.