| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Merriam/100k people | Kansas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 650 | n/a (estimate) | 6,022 | 2,395 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 9.3 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 8 | n/a | 74.1 | 44.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 18.5 | 30.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 36 | n/a | 333.5 | 359.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 47 | n/a (estimate) | 435 | 439 | 359 |
| Burglary | 34 | n/a | 315.0 | 261.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 460 | n/a | 4,261.6 | 1,458.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 109 | n/a | 1,009.8 | 236.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 603 | n/a (estimate) | 5,586 | 1,956 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Merriam is 184.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 47 violent crimes reported in Merriam, equivalent to 435 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 21.3%. Additionally, Merriam recorded 603 property crimes, amounting to 5586 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 217.4%.
Having a crime rate of 6022 per 100,000 residents, Merriam experiences a crime rate that is 184.16% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Merriam contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Merriam has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 5586 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Merriam is 1 in 18, which is far higher than the national average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Merriam has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Merriam reported 109 vehicle thefts, which equates to 1010 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 Merriam is 1 in 100.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Merriam a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Merriam crime rate is 184% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.78 crimes per day - 0.13 violent crimes and 1.65 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Merriam has decreased by 11.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Merriam 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 decreased by 38.2%, while property crime has decreased by 8.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Merriam.
Merriam has a poverty rate of 9, 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.
In Merriam, 90.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Merriam, the cost of living is 0.72% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Merriam | Kansas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 33 | 5,262 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kansas /100K | National /100K |
| Kansas | 9,632 | 349 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Platte Woods, MO | 586 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oakview, MO | 455 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Quivira, KS | 1,119 | 62 | 275 | 336 |
| Weatherby Lake, MO | 2,562 | 72 | 304 | 377 |
| Fairway, KS | 4,086 | 144 | 385 | 530 |
| Basehor, KS | 6,408 | 150 | 588 | 738 |
| Parkville, MO | 7,398 | 117 | 736 | 853 |
| Merriam, KS | 11,587 | 435 | 5,586 | 6,022 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Haddonfield, NJ | 11,585 | 39 | 1,532 | 1,571 |
| Berkley, CO | 11,591 | 449 | 2,445 | 2,894 |
| Lowes Island, VA | 11,593 | 83 | 598 | 681 |
| Kalaoa, HI | 11,594 | 213 | 1,898 | 2,111 |
| Pike Creek Valley, DE | 11,600 | 273 | 1,320 | 1,593 |
| Merriam, KS | 11,587 | 435 | 5,586 | 6,022 |
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