F
52%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
116%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
40%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMerced/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,266n/a (estimate)3,5432,8432,324
Murder6n/a6.55.76.3
Rape107n/a116.137.440.0
Robbery154n/a167.0123.566.1
Assault471n/a510.9332.8268.2
Violent crime738n/a (estimate)801500370
Burglary381n/a413.3371.9269.8
Theft1,722n/a1,867.91,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft425n/a461.0471.9282.7
Property crime2,528n/a (estimate)2,7422,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Merced, CA

The Merced crime rates are 52.4% 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 738 violent crimes in Merced (801 per 100,000 people), which is 116.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2528 property crimes (2742 per 100,000 residents) which is 40.3% higher than average.

With a violent crime rate of 801 crimes per 100,000 residents, Merced is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Merced ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 125 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

With a total of 425 vehicle thefts last year, Merced has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 461 per 100,000 people. This lands Merced in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 217.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Merced?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Merced residents. Out of the respondents (96 in total), 33% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Merced were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 67% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Merced a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Merced, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Merced presents a total crime rate that is 52% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Merced experiences an average of 8.95 daily crimes, comprising 2.02 violent incidents and 6.93 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Merced Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Merced has increased by 24.6% 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 9.8%, while property crime has increased by 29.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Merced.

Potential Causes for Crime in Merced

In Merced, 71% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Merced, there are 1.37 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Merced stands at $251,500, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Merced crime map



The Merced crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Merced as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Merced crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Merced crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Merced crime rates are 52% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Merced are 116% higher than the national average
  • In Merced you have a 1 in 29 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Merced is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Merced has increased by 14%

Merced, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Merced (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Merced, CA per 100,000 people. In Merced, the total number of daily crimes is 1.25 times more than the California average and 1.52 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Merced is 1.60 times more than the California average and 2.16 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Merced has a daily crime rate that is 1.17 times more than the California average and 1.40 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Merced (higher is better)

        How safe is Merced, California compared to other cities in California and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Merced is safer than 11% of the cities in California and 8% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in California and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Merced. Overall, Merced is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Merced

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Merced is 1 in 125
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Merced is 1 in 37
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Merced is 1 in 29
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Merced? If you reside in Merced, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 125. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 37 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Merced, is 1 in 29.

        Year Over Year Crime In Merced (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Merced is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Merced has not changed and the rate of property crime in Merced has increased by 18%. The total crime rate in Merced has increased by 14% year to year.

        Merced police department

        Item Merced California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)11151,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.43.63.3
        There are a total of 111 Merced police officers. This results in 1.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 62.1% less than the California average and 57.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        McSwain, CA4,4292721,2761,549
        Le Grand, CA1,5972811,3151,596
        Chowchilla, CA18,4436201,0001,620
        Livingston, CA14,3924831,6582,141
        Planada, CA3,9845192,4342,954
        Atwater, CA30,3368432,5033,346
        Franklin CDP (Sacramento County), CA1066463,0283,674
        Merced, CA84,0818012,7423,543

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Troy, MI84,0511181,5071,625
        Mission, TX83,7963401,6762,016
        Santa Fe, NM84,4189234,8855,808
        Alhambra, CA84,5092012,5652,765
        Redwood City, CA84,5183941,9932,387
        Merced, CA84,0818012,7423,543
        Source: The Merced, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.