Merced County Crime & Safety

Merced County, California

Safety Score

7/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3075.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

648.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2427.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

7/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#51

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Merced County, California

Merced County Crime Rates Above National Average

Merced County reports 3,075.9 total crimes per 100,000 residents, which is roughly 29% higher than the national average. This results in a safety score of 95.1.

Safety Ranking Lower Than State Average

Merced's safety score of 95.1 falls below the California state average of 96.3. The county faces higher crime challenges than many of its Central Valley neighbors.

Crime Higher Than Neighboring Madera

The crime rate in Merced (3,075.9) is significantly higher than in neighboring Madera County (2,026.2). Local law enforcement from 12 agencies manages these higher crime volumes.

Violent and Property Crimes Above Average

Violent crime sits at 648.3 per 100,000, nearly double the national rate. Property crime is also high at 2,427.6, compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

Security Awareness Crucial in Merced

With higher property crime rates, residents should take active steps to secure their homes. Comprehensive security systems and reinforced entry points are effective ways to deter criminal activity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Merced County, CA?

Merced County has a total crime rate of 3075.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (648.3 per 100K) and property crimes (2427.6 per 100K).

Is Merced County, CA safe?

Merced County has a safety score of 7/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #51 out of 58 counties in California for safety (1 = safest).

How does Merced County crime compare to the California average?

Merced's safety score of 95.1 falls below the California state average of 96.3. The county faces higher crime challenges than many of its Central Valley neighbors.

What types of crime are most common in Merced County?

Violent crime sits at 648.3 per 100,000, nearly double the national rate. Property crime is also high at 2,427.6, compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Merced County?

Crime data for Merced County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Merced County?

Merced County has a safety score of 7/100, which is below the California average of 20/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.