Merrillville, IN

Census Place

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2024 Population
36,476
US Senator
Todd Young
Republican Party
US Senator
Jim Banks
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
42.4
2.66% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
12.6%
7.98% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$67,587
4.32% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$211,400
8.97% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
17,168
0.947% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Merrillville, IN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.6% of the residents in Merrillville, IN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Merrillville, IN are Denmark College (74 degrees awarded in 2023) and Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville (66 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Merrillville, IN was $211,400, and the homeownership rate was 70.5%.

Most people in Merrillville, IN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 32.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Merrillville, IN was 2 cars per household.

United StatesIndianaLake County, INChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WILake County (Northeast)--Gary City & Griffith Town PUMA, INLake County (Central) PUMA, INLake County (South) PUMA, INPorter County PUMA, IN

Population & Diversity

Merrillville, IN is home to a population of 36.5k people, from which 97.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 6.29% of Merrillville, IN residents were born outside of the country (2.3k people).

In 2024, there were 1.38 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.8k people) in Merrillville, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.2k White (Non-Hispanic) and 2.66k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.6%
2024 Citizenship
97.1%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.6% of Merrillville, IN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Merrillville, IN was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Merrillville, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Merrillville, IN
  1. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    16.8k ± 1.08k
  2. White (Non-Hispanic)
    12.2k ± 1.25k
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    2.66k ± 694
15.6%
Hispanic Population
5.69k people

In 2024, there were 1.38 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.8k people) in Merrillville, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.2k White (Non-Hispanic) and 2.66k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

15.6% of the people in Merrillville, IN are hispanic (5.69k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Merrillville, IN as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Indiana.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    108,287 ± 8,015 people
  2. India
    34,966 ± 4,579 people
  3. China
    17,771 ± 3,269 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Indiana was Mexico, the natal country of 108,287 Indiana residents, followed by India with 34,966 and China with 17,771.

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Foreign-Born Population

6.29%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
2.3k people
6.73%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
2.45k people

As of 2024, 6.29% of Merrillville, IN residents (2.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Merrillville, IN was 6.73%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Merrillville, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    581 ± 303
  2. Vietnam
    464 ± 349
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    269 ± 126

Merrillville, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.25 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Merrillville, IN.

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Economy

The economy of Merrillville, IN employs 17.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Merrillville, IN were Health Care & Social Assistance (2,795 people), Manufacturing (2,458 people), and Retail Trade (1,781 people), and the highest paying industries were Wholesale Trade ($81,548), Transportation & Warehousing ($81,375), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($80,571).

Employment

Occupations

17.2k
2024 Value
± 1,281
0.947%
1 Year growth
± 10.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Merrillville, IN grew at a rate of 0.947%, from 17k employees to 17.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Merrillville, IN, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,363 people), Production Occupations (1,589 people), and Management Occupations (1,157 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Merrillville, IN.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Indiana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

17.2k
2024 Value
± 1,281
0.947%
1 Year growth
± 10.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Merrillville, IN grew at a rate of 0.947%, from 17k employees to 17.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Merrillville, IN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,795 people), Manufacturing (2,458 people), and Retail Trade (1,781 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Merrillville, IN, though some of these residents may live in Merrillville, IN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$51,260
Median earning men ± $6,455
$44,046
Median earning women ± $3,738

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($84,629), Wholesale Trade ($82,262), and Manufacturing ($75,169).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($69,776), Public Administration ($63,674), and Construction ($63,207).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.
Y-Axis
2.48%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.21M people employed in Indiana. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Indiana.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing the state of Indiana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Indiana is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Merrillville, IN. Showing the available data for Indiana.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (58.8%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (39.8%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (1%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Indiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Indiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.
Todd Young
Senator from Indiana3
Assumed office on January 3, 2017
Jim Banks
Senator from Indiana1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing Indiana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Indiana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Merrillville, IN awarded 140 degrees. The student population of Merrillville, IN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 112 male students and 136 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Merrillville, IN are White (63 and 45%), Hispanic or Latino (36 and 25.7%), Black or African American (36 and 25.7%), and Unknown (3 and 2.14%).

The largest universities in Merrillville, IN by number of degrees awarded are Denmark College (74 and 52.9%) and Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville (66 and 47.1%).

The most popular majors in Merrillville, IN are General Cosmetology (77 and 55%), Barbering (52 and 37.1%), and Medical Assistant (9 and 6.43%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 248 students enrolled in Merrillville, IN, 45.2% men and 54.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 96 records, of which 49% were women and 51% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Cosmetology
    77 degrees awarded
  2. Barbering
    52 degrees awarded
  3. Medical Assistant
    9 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Merrillville, IN was General Cosmetology with 77 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Merrillville, IN according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Denmark College
    74 degrees awarded
  2. Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville
    66 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Denmark College with 74 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 47 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Merrillville, IN, which is 0.505 times less than the 93 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 63 degrees mean that there were 1.75 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 36 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($14,392) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($640) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Merrillville, IN was $211,400 in 2024, which is 0.635 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $194,000 to $211,400, a 8.97% increase. The homeownership rate in Merrillville, IN is 70.5%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Merrillville, IN have an average commute time of 32.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Merrillville, IN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$211,400
Median Property Value 2024
±$7,522
$10,917
Median Property Taxes
±$1,078

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merrillville, IN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Merrillville, IN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

70.5%
Homeownership
2024
63.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 70.5% of the housing units in Merrillville, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Merrillville, IN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$67,587
Median Household Income
± $7,864
15.5k
Number of Households
± 1,240

In 2024, the median household income of the 15.5k households in Merrillville, IN grew to $67,587 from the previous year's value of $64,791.

The following chart displays the households in Merrillville, IN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Merrillville, IN is from Indiana.
0.445
2023 Wage GINI in Indiana
0.448
2022 Wage GINI in Indiana

In 2023, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.445 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.529% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Indiana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Indiana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (82.2%)
  2. Worked At Home (7.26%)
  3. Carpooled (4.89%)

In 2024, 82.2% of workers in Merrillville, IN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (7.26%) and those who carpooled to work (4.89%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

32.1 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Merrillville, IN have a longer commute time (32.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 6.48% of the workforce in Merrillville, IN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Merrillville, IN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Merrillville, IN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Merrillville, IN have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Merrillville, IN (4.5k out of 35.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 75+, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Males 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Merrillville, IN is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

93.5% of the population of Merrillville, IN has health coverage, with 46.5% on employee plans, 20% on Medicaid, 16.1% on Medicare, 10.2% on non-group plans, and 0.743% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Indiana see 1,524 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,524 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1681 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 474 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.8% under 18 years, 20.3% between 18 and 34 years, 38.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

6.53%
Uninsured
46.5%
Employer Coverage
20%
Medicaid
16.1%
Medicare
10.2%
Non-Group
0.743%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Merrillville, IN grew by 23.7% from 5.28% to 6.53%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Merrillville, IN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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