Merrillville, Indiana Income Statistics
Merrillville Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Merrillville Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Merrillville | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,875 | $71,967 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $59,016 | $55,757 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.2% | 4.5% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.4% | 10.2% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 7.2% | 8.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Merrillville is about 6% lower than in Indiana. Income has been growing slower in Merrillville (3.2%/yr) than in Indiana (4.5%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Merrillville earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Indiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Merrillville, Indiana grew by 33.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $67,875 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Merrillville
| Metric | Merrillville | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.551 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $67,545 | $65,086 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $55,201 | $51,220 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.3% | 21.3% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Merrillville, it is 0.551, higher than Indiana's 0.534, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Merrillville, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $432,040 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merrillville, Indiana has narrowed from about 33% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 16% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,189 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Merrillville | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.9% | 10.7% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,480 people are unemployed in Merrillville, Indiana.
The average commute time in Merrillville is 25 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Merrillville, Indiana has fallen from 10.7% to 7.4% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 11.6% in 2013 and fell as low as 6.8% in 2019.
Merrillville, IN Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Merrillville, IN compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrillville, IN | 39,705 | $67,875 #3/3 | 3.2%/yr #2/3 | 7.4% #3/3 | 0.551 #3/3 |
| Hobart, IN | 28,846 | $73,982 | 3.0%/yr | 5.0% | 0.527 |
| Crown Point, IN | 27,138 | $99,303 | 5.0%/yr | 2.7% | 0.539 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Merrillville, Indiana has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Indiana, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Merrillville, Indiana.
How Rich Is Merrillville, Indiana?
Merrillville has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $67,875, about 6% lower than the Indiana average of $71,967.
How fast is household income rising in Merrillville, Indiana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Merrillville, Indiana rose 33%, from $51,027 to $67,875. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Indiana as a whole: +33% against +52%.
What was the median household income in Merrillville in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Merrillville, Indiana was $66,521, up 4% from $64,112 in 2022. The Indiana median that year was $70,115.
What was the median household income in Merrillville in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Merrillville, Indiana was $63,646. By 2024 it had risen 7% to $67,875.
How strong is the job market in Merrillville, Indiana?
Unemployment in Merrillville, Indiana is 7.4%, well above the Indiana rate of 4.3%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Merrillville, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Merrillville is 0.551. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Merrillville, Indiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merrillville, Indiana has narrowed from about 33% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 16% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,189 since 2009.
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