Living in Merrillville, Indiana

Overview & Location

Merrillville is a town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana. It lies in the east-central part of the county and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, it held a population of approximately 36,444. [oai_citation:0‡en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrillville%2C_Indiana?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The town is a major retail and commercial hub along U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 65, making it accessible for commuters, shoppers and families alike. [oai_citation:1‡homes.com](https://www.homes.com/local-guide/merrillville-in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Demographics & Community

The diverse community of Merrillville supports a mix of families, professionals, and commuters. It offers substantial retail and service employment, and is increasingly seen as a value-driven location in the Lake County region.

Housing & Real Estate Market

In Merrillville, housing options range from suburban single-family homes to townhomes and newer developments. As you evaluate homes, you can instantly check active listings or compare sold homes to get market perspective:

Median household incomes and home values indicate affordability relative to many Chicago-area suburbs. For example, one zip-code report lists a median home value near $192,100 in ZIP 46410. [oai_citation:6‡ZIP-Codes.com](https://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code/46410/zip-code-46410.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Given its retail and job corridors (including major commercial centers), Merrillville often attracts renters and buyers looking for accessible commutes and mixed-use convenience. [oai_citation:7‡homes.com](https://www.homes.com/local-guide/merrillville-in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Neighborhoods & Lifestyle Highlights

Merrillville offers a blend of suburban living and regional amenities:

• Retail & Dining: U.S. Route 30 is lined with restaurants, shopping centers and historic retail like Southlake Mall. [oai_citation:8‡homes.com](https://www.homes.com/local-guide/merrillville-in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Recreation: Deep River Waterpark and other local parks create family-friendly leisure options. [oai_citation:9‡South Shore CVA](https://www.southshorecva.com/the-region/merrillville/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Commuting: With Interstate 65 access and proximity to Chicago’s south suburbs, Merrillville offers airport and rail potential for commuters.
• Community Activities: The town’s Parks & Recreation department regularly hosts events, classes and programs. [oai_citation:10‡Merrillville](https://www.merrillville.in.gov/departments/parks___recreation/activities.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Schools & Education

Merrillville falls under the Merrillville Community School Corporation. Families will want to review specific school performance and send zones, but the town offers full public school services as well as private schooling options.

Parent and child support resources are available via the district’s Student Support Services portal. [oai_citation:11‡mvsc.k12.in.us](https://www.mvsc.k12.in.us/administration/student-support-services-1/parent-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Why Move Here? Strategic Advantages

For buyers and sellers in Northwest Indiana, Merrillville offers several strategic advantages:

1. Better value compared to many Chicago-area suburbs while still offering access to the metro market.
2. Strong retail/commerce base supports employment and services close by.
3. Growing diversity and stable population (~2–3% growth from 2013–2023). [oai_citation:12‡Neilsberg](https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/merrillville-in-population-by-year/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
4. Access to major highways and regional infrastructure makes it appealing for relocation from Illinois.

Considerations Before Buying or Selling Here

Every market has caveats — for Merrillville these include:

• Some pockets along major highways may experience higher traffic or commercial noise.
• School rankings vary by school zone; buyers should review specific schools closely.
• Because of its retail focus, mixed-use and commercial redevelopment may increase in the future, so future land-use should be reviewed.

Resources & Further Reading

Explore more about the town and local government:

• Merrillville Town Official Website [oai_citation:18‡Merrillville](https://www.merrillville.in.gov/residents/index.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• History of Merrillville [oai_citation:19‡Merrillville](https://www.merrillville.in.gov/visitors/history_of_town.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Search homes and values: Active Listings in Merrillville
• View recently sold homes: Recent Sold Homes in Merrillville
• Estimate your home’s value: RealestValues.com