| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Merced/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,437 | n/a (estimate) | 3,577 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 7.3 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 99 | n/a | 103.0 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 160 | n/a | 166.5 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 488 | n/a | 507.9 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 754 | n/a (estimate) | 785 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 547 | n/a | 569.3 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,670 | n/a | 1,738.2 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 466 | n/a | 485.0 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,683 | n/a (estimate) | 2,793 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Merced crime rates are 68.8% 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 754 violent crimes in Merced (785 per 100,000 people), which is 118.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2683 property crimes (2793 per 100,000 residents) which is 58.7% higher than average.
Merced is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 785 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Merced is 1 in 128.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Merced has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Merced reported 466 vehicle thefts, which equates to 485 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Merced is 1 in 207.
What do the local residents think about crime in Merced? Well, based on a recent survey of 98 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 35% of Merced residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 65% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Merced 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, Merced has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 69%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 9.42 daily incidents, encompassing 2.07 violent crimes and 7.35 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Merced as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Merced has increased by 31.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Merced is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 12.2%, while property crime has increased by 37.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Merced.
Merced reports an unemployment rate of 7.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. 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 Merced crime rates.
Merced has a population density of 3719.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Merced crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Merced, the cost of living is 18.07% higher than the national average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Merced | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 111 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| McSwain, CA | 4,594 | 190 | 812 | 1,002 |
| Le Grand, CA | 1,661 | 252 | 1,076 | 1,327 |
| Livingston, CA | 14,885 | 372 | 1,407 | 1,779 |
| Ballico, CA | 522 | 351 | 1,500 | 1,850 |
| Chowchilla, CA | 19,143 | 677 | 1,190 | 1,866 |
| Planada, CA | 4,117 | 362 | 1,550 | 1,912 |
| Atwater, CA | 30,996 | 710 | 2,194 | 2,904 |
| Merced, CA | 86,383 | 785 | 2,793 | 3,577 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| New Braunfels, TX | 86,374 | 156 | 1,284 | 1,440 |
| Trenton, NJ | 86,528 | 1,026 | 2,289 | 3,314 |
| Whittier, CA | 86,613 | 490 | 2,375 | 2,866 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 86,648 | 842 | 5,157 | 5,999 |
| Mission, TX | 86,021 | 189 | 1,148 | 1,337 |
| Merced, CA | 86,383 | 785 | 2,793 | 3,577 |
Here are the best places to live in California
Safest States In The US
See the best places to live in Merced
Most Dangerous Cities In The US