Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Merrillville, IN

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#42/341 Population

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

36,476population

42.4median age

This community is a community of 36,476 with a median age of 42.4. The population is predominantly Black (46.1%) with a significant White community (33.4%). Median household income is $67,587. 92.3% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 26.1% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 70.5%, with a median home value of $211,400.

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

46.1%16,811

White

33.4%12,185

Hispanic/Latino

15.6%5,692

Two or More

3.1%1,140

Asian

1%365

Other

0.8%283

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.6%913

High School Diploma

30.3%7,734

Some College (<1 yr)

6.8%1,744

Some College (1+ yr)

14.4%3,680

Associate's Degree

11.1%2,828

Bachelor's Degree

16.4%4,182

Master's Degree

7.7%1,967

Professional Degree

0.8%207

Doctorate

1.2%313

HS or Higher

92.3%

BA or Higher

26.1%

Graduate+

9.7%

Housingi

$211,400median home value

$1,282median rent

70.5%homeownership

16,213total units

4.5%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 70.5%

Renter 29.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

4.2%461

$50K–$100K

3.7%404

$100K–$150K

11.3%1,231

$150K–$200K

24.9%2,715

$200K–$300K

40.7%4,448

$300K–$500K

13.8%1,505

$500K–$1M

1.1%122

$1M+

0.3%31

Rent Distribution

Under $500

446

$500–$750

127

$750–$1,000

297

$1,000–$1,250

1,239

$1,250–$1,500

553

$1,500–$2,000

1,035

$2,000+

663

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%113

2010–2019

6.3%1,025

2000–2009

17.1%2,770

1990–1999

15.6%2,527

1980–1989

8.2%1,336

1970–1979

15.2%2,460

1960–1969

19.7%3,191

1950–1959

9.4%1,526

1940–1949

4.4%709

1939 or earlier

3.4%556

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

82.9%12,836

Electricity

13.2%2,037

Bottled/LP Gas

2.8%431

No Fuel

0.5%77

Solar

0.3%51

Fuel Oil

0.2%37

Wood

0.1%10

Other

0.1%8

Household Economyi

$67,587median household income

$36,629per capita income

12.3%poverty rate

7.5%unemployment

18,602labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.2%1,109

$10K–$15K

4.2%647

$15K–$20K

3.9%605

$20K–$25K

4.3%662

$25K–$30K

2.1%330

$30K–$35K

3.5%548

$35K–$40K

3.9%610

$40K–$45K

4.7%733

$45K–$50K

4.6%711

$50K–$60K

7.3%1,128

$60K–$75K

10.7%1,659

$75K–$100K

15.1%2,332

$100K–$125K

7.9%1,226

$125K–$150K

7.7%1,187

$150K–$200K

5.5%858

$200K+

7.4%1,142

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2,2966.3%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

628

Philippines

106

Guatemala

Poland

Canada

Korea

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

16,898

Avg. Commutei

32.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

17,168

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,016(7% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.5%Insured

6.5%Uninsured