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Merrillville, IN

Frequently asked questions

Merrillville, IN

Merrillville is a town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is in east-central Lake County, in the Chicago metropolitan area. On January 1, 2015, Merrillville became the most populated town in Indiana, as Fishers in Hamilton County was converted from a town to a city. The town serves as a major shopping hub for Northwest Indiana.

Merrillville occupies what used to be woodland belonging to the Potawatomi Indians. In 1834, a clearing was created for ceremonial purposes and called McGwinn Village. A year later, a white man, Jeremiah Wiggins, settled in the place; McGwinn Village became Wiggins Point.

Wiggins Point became a well-known stop for wagon trains heading to Joliet, Illinois along the Sauk Trail (also called the Sac Trail), an old Indian trail. At one time, 16 trails radiated outward from Wiggins Point. In 1838, Wiggins died. Some time afterward, local settlers renamed the place Centerville. Later still, it was renamed Merrillville after the brothers Dudley and William Merrill. Dudley Merrill operated a hotel and store in Centerville, and his son John P. Merrill was a Township Trustee.

Nearby, in the same former Potawatomi hunting grounds, other settlements had sprung up. Near Deep River Creek was a settlement named Deep River; near Turkey Creek was another settlement with that creek's name. Others included Ainsworth, Lottaville, and Rexville. At one time, the post office for the area was named Lottaville.

In 1848, all of these settlements, including Merrillville (that is, the old McGwinn Village) were collected into one and called Ross Township. As time went by, bits and pieces of Ross Township were taken by Hobart and Crown Point when those towns were incorporated.

In 1971, the area officially became Merrillville (which now includes the old Merrillville as well as other settlements nearby) and was incorporated as a town under Indiana law. During this time, the majority of the town's growth was due to white flight from Gary. In 1993, Merrillville tried to annex unincorporated Winfield Township to get more land. The residents blocked Merrillville by creating the town of Winfield.

According to the 2010 census, Merrillville has a total area of 33.26 square miles (86.14 km2), of which 33.22 square miles (86.04 km2) (or 99.88%) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (or 0.12%) is water. The town is centered on the intersection of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 65.

The Lincoln Highway runs through Merrillville. The original alignment of Lincoln Highway is known as 73rd Avenue (also called Old Lincoln Highway) in Merrillville, while the current Lincoln Highway (US 30) is known as 81st Avenue. State Road 53 (Broadway) and State Road 55 (Taft Street) traverse the town from north to south.

Merrillville's asymmetric shape results in numerous boundaries with other municipalities. It is bordered by Gary and unincorporated Calumet Township, Lake County, to the north; Hobart to the northeast; Union Township, Porter County, to the east; Winfield and Crown Point to the south; Schererville to the west; and Griffith to the northwest.

The city's commitment to providing quality health and wellness services is evident through institutions like the Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive medical care. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Johnson Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Merrillville, such as the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Tall Grass Greenway Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.
 

Top sites in Merrillville, IN include FunFlatables - Merrillville, AMC CLASSIC Hobart 12, and Stardust Bowl 2 of Merrillville. 

Population: 36,233 (2022). Elevation: 630 feet (192 meters). Area: 33.29 sq mi (86.21 km2). ZIP Code: 46410. Area code(s): 219.

FAQs

What is Merrillville, Indiana famous for?

Merrillville is a hub for retail trade in Northwest Indiana. The US 30 corridor between Taft Street and Colorado Street harbors a large concentration of big-box retailers, hotels, restaurants, and automobile dealerships. Ameriplex at the Crossroads, an industrial and technology park, opened on Broadway between 93rd Avenue and 101st Avenue in 2005. The development is designated an Indiana Certified Technology Park and includes a business incubator and technology center operated by the Purdue Research Foundation.

Is Merrillville, IN a city or a town?

Also in 1971, Merrillville officially became a town under Indiana state statute.  The incorporation was voted on by most of the residents of Ross Township who lived within a certain boundary line that our founding fathers configured. This is why some parts, although not much, of Ross Township are still located in neighboring cities like Hobart and Crown Point.  You see, those cities already existed and those parts of Ross Township could not be incorporated into Merrillville when it became an official town.

What is the crime rate in Merrillville Indiana?

The crime rate in Merrillville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 12 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Merrillville is 1 in 80. Based on FBI crime data, Merrillville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Indiana, Merrillville has a crime rate that is higher than 73% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Merrillville

Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus 

Planet Fitness

Johnson Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail

FunFlatables - Merrillville 

AMC CLASSIC Hobart 12 

Stardust Bowl 2 of Merrillville

Neighborhoodscout

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