Living in Merrillville, Indiana

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merrillville · Census data 2020–2024

Merrillville has 36,476 residents with a median age of 42.4. The median household income is $67,587 (6% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $211,400, the median rent is $1,282/month.

Merrillville at a glance

Population
36,476
Median age
42.4State: 38.1
Median household income
$67,587State: $71,957
Median home value
$211,400State: $218,200
Median rent
$1,282/moState: $1,062
Homeowners
70.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
Average commute
32 min

Is Merrillville a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 3% lower than the state median.

Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the Indiana median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 12.6%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Merrillville

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merrillville the median home value is $211,400, 36% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,282 per month, which is 33.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,469 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Merrillville$211,400
Indiana$218,200
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Merrillville$1,282
Indiana$1,062
United States$1,413

Merrillville median household income

The median household income in Merrillville is $67,587 and the income per person is $36,629. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).

Median household income

Merrillville$67,587
Indiana$71,957
United States$80,734

Housing in Merrillville: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
16,213
Owner-occupied
70.5%
Renter-occupied
29.5%
Vacant
4.5%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1979
Average household size
2.32

Merrillville demographics

Population
36,476
Median age
42.4
Under 18
20.5%
65 and older
20.7%
Households
15,487
Foreign-born
6.3%
Veterans
7%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White36.1%
Hispanic or Latino15.6%
Black46.7%
Asian1.1%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merrillville ›

Education in Merrillville

26.1% of adults 25 and older in Merrillville have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 9.7% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Merrillville26.1%
Indiana29.5%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Merrillville

Unemployment rate
7.5%State: 4.3%
Average commute
32 minState: 24 min
Work from home
7.3%
Drive alone
82.2%
Public transit
1.9%
Walk to work
1.5%
Homes with broadband
87.7%

Merrillville vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Merrillville36,476$67,587$211,400$1,282
Hobart29,558$75,160$215,200$1,206
Crown Point34,393$101,686$294,800$1,485
Winfield7,816$135,870$409,500—
Ross6,751$54,563$119,100$1,101
New Chicago2,225$57,313$134,100$1,141
Schererville29,701$89,466$314,900$1,310
Griffith16,273$76,636$210,100$1,235
Lakes of the Four Seasons7,402$121,750$337,300$1,688

More for people moving to Merrillville

Merrillville ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Merrillville: FAQ

What is the median household income in Merrillville, IN?

The median household income in Merrillville is $67,587, 6% lower than the Indiana median of $71,957 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Merrillville?

The median home value in Merrillville is $211,400, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.

How much is rent in Merrillville?

The median gross rent in Merrillville is $1,282 per month, about 33.6% of household income.

Is Merrillville, IN a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 3% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the Indiana median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 12.6%.

What is the median age in Merrillville?

The median age in Merrillville is 42.4 years (Indiana: 38.1).

How long is the commute in Merrillville?

The average commute to work in Merrillville is 32 minutes; 7.3% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Merrillville?

The unemployment rate in Merrillville is 7.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Merrillville?

26.1% of adults in Merrillville have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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