Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Merced, CA has a Safety Score of 12/100 — higher crime than 88% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,620 of 2,971 US cities and #234 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Merced, California Safe?
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters.
Merced has a safety score of 12/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Merced ranks #234 out of 264 cities in California and #2620 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 12th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 88% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Merced is rape, at 103.0 per 100K — 2.4x the national average.
Year over year, Merced's total crime rate increased by 2.4%, with violent crime declining 5.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Merced Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 754 | 784.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 7.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 99 | 103.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 160 | 166.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 488 | 507.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,683 | 2,792.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 547 | 569.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,670 | 1,738.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 466 | 485.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Merced vs California Average
How does Merced's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Merced | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 784.8 | 518.0 | +51.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,792.6 | 2,161.3 | +29.2% |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 4.4 | +65.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,577.3 | 2,679.3 | +33.5% |
Merced Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Merced, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 96,077 | 3,577.3 | 784.8 | 2,792.6 |
| 2023 | 94,125 | 3,494.3 | 827.6 | 2,666.7 |
| 2022 | 92,191 | 3,583.9 | 807.0 | 2,776.8 |
| 2020 | 84,197 | 3,114.1 | 799.3 | 2,314.8 |
| 2019 | 83,854 | 3,439.3 | 646.4 | 2,793.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merced, California safe?
Merced has a safety score of 12/100, meaning it has less crime than about 12% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Merced is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Merced, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Merced has a violent crime rate of 784.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,792.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Merced compare to the national average?
Merced's total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 96,077 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Merced?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Merced include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Merced safe to visit?
Like any city, Merced has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 12/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.