Merrillville, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merrillville, Indiana had a total population of 36,476, the 26th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $67,587, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Merrillville Quick Facts
How Merrillville Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,343 | 36,476 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $64,791 | $67,587 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $194,000 | $211,400 | +9.0% |
How Merrillville Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrillville Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | 19.1% | $159,900 |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | 33.1% | $94,700 |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | 6.9% | $294,800 |
| Schererville | 29,701 | $89,466 | 7.7% | $314,900 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | 26.3% | $105,400 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | 6.0% | $334,300 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | 11.6% | $233,300 |
| St. John | 22,567 | $131,467 | 2.1% | $406,300 |
| Dyer | 16,400 | $107,159 | 6.2% | $322,200 |
Cities Similar to Merrillville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso | 34,733 | $69,872 | $267,300 | 40.6% | 14.9% |
| Portage | 38,082 | $76,276 | $224,200 | 18.4% | 11.6% |
| Goshen | 34,420 | $59,184 | $184,900 | 23.7% | 17.1% |
| Plainfield | 36,369 | $87,272 | $280,600 | 32.7% | 8.1% |
| New Albany | 37,581 | $54,710 | $180,500 | 23.7% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Merrillville is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 36,476. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrillville is 42.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merrillville is $67,587. This is 6% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $211,400. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merrillville is Black or African American, making up 46.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.4%) is well below the state average of 75.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.1% vs 9.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.6% vs 8.6%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merrillville, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merrillville, Indiana?
Merrillville, Indiana has a population of 36,476 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrillville, IN?
The median household income in Merrillville is $67,587, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merrillville, IN?
The poverty rate in Merrillville is 12.6%. This means approximately 4,499 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrillville, Indiana?
Merrillville's population is 33.4% White, 46.1% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrillville, IN?
The median home value in Merrillville is $211,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Merrillville, Indiana?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Merrillville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.