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Moving to Merced, CA?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 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 #2,604 of 2,957 US cities and #234 of 264 in California.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Merced, CA?
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, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Merced ranks #234 out of 264 cities in California and #2604 out of 2957 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%.
Burglary in Merced runs 1.9x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can see a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Merced Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 754 | 784.8 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 7 | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 99 | 103.0 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 160 | 166.5 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 488 | 507.9 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 2,683 | 2,792.6 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 547 | 569.3 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,670 | 1,738.2 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 466 | 485.0 | 358.0 |
| 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 |
Merced Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Merced and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: California crime map.
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 are larceny-theft (1,670 reported incidents) and burglary (547 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 3.6x in the city.
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.
How can I protect my home in Merced?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can check renters insurance rates online.