| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Merrill/100k people | Wisconsin/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 278 | n/a (estimate) | 2,976 | 1,682 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 10.7 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 38.6 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 21.4 | 39.4 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 13 | n/a | 139.2 | 213.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 16 | n/a (estimate) | 171 | 297 | 370 |
| Burglary | 18 | n/a | 192.7 | 153.7 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 234 | n/a | 2,505.1 | 981.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 10 | n/a | 107.1 | 250.3 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 262 | n/a (estimate) | 2,805 | 1,385 | 1,954 |
The Merrill crime rates are 28.1% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 16 violent crimes in Merrill (171 per 100,000 people), which is 53.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 262 property crimes (2805 per 100,000 residents) which is 43.5% higher than average.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Merrill stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Merrill, a total of 1 murders were reported, equating to 11 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Merrill. Based on the results of the surveys (6 responses), 100% of people felt that there was very little crime in Merrill and felt safe walking alone at night. While 0% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Merrill a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Merrill has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 28%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.76 daily incidents, encompassing 0.04 violent crimes and 0.72 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Merrill as a potential place to call home.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Merrill. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Merrill has increased by 23.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 23.8%, while property crime has increased by 28.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Merrill.
Merrill has a poverty rate of 12.8, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
Merrill reports an unemployment rate of 2.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Merrill crime rates.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Merrill, 84.4% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
| Item | Merrill | Wisconsin | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 25 | 9,355 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.6 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Wisconsin /100K | National /100K |
| Wisconsin | 24,983 | 456 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Maine, WI | 2,577 | 104 | 487 | 591 |
| Brokaw, WI | 237 | 290 | 1,351 | 1,640 |
| Merrill, WI | 9,081 | 171 | 2,805 | 2,976 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Boulder Hill, IL | 9,081 | 304 | 1,782 | 2,085 |
| Innsbrook, VA | 9,081 | 159 | 1,149 | 1,307 |
| Rochelle, IL | 9,083 | 332 | 1,949 | 2,282 |
| San Elizario, TX | 9,079 | 40 | 298 | 337 |
| Summit View, WA | 9,078 | 362 | 3,234 | 3,597 |
| Merrill, WI | 9,081 | 171 | 2,805 | 2,976 |
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