Merrick County Crime & Safety

Merrick County, Nebraska

Safety Score

86/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

325.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

52.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

273.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

86/100

Higher = safer

State avg 74/100

State Safety Rank

#46

of 93 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Merrick County, Nebraska

Merrick County Remains Very Safe Nationally

Merrick County scores a high 99.5 on the safety index, recording a crime rate of 325.7 per 100,000. This rate is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5, indicating a highly secure community.

Merrick Beats Nebraska's Average Safety Score

Merrick County's safety score of 99.5 exceeds the Nebraska state average of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 325.7 is also roughly half the state average of 626.7 per 100,000.

Reliable Safety Across the Region

Merrick County outperforms many regional neighbors, keeping its crime levels well below the Nebraska state average. Local data from three reporting agencies confirms a consistently safe environment.

Property Theft Stays Well Below National Levels

Violent crime is low at 52.1 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 273.6. Both figures are significantly better than national averages, where property crime typically exceeds 2,000 incidents.

Basic Precautions Preserve Local Safety

To maintain these low numbers, Merrick County residents should continue using home security basics. Simple improvements like deadbolts and well-lit driveways help keep property crime rates minimal.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Merrick County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Merrick County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Merrick County, NE?

Merrick County has a total crime rate of 325.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (52.1 per 100K) and property crimes (273.6 per 100K).

Is Merrick County, NE safe?

Merrick County has a safety score of 86/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #46 out of 93 counties in Nebraska for safety (1 = safest).

How does Merrick County crime compare to the Nebraska average?

Merrick County's safety score of 99.5 exceeds the Nebraska state average of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 325.7 is also roughly half the state average of 626.7 per 100,000.

What types of crime are most common in Merrick County?

Violent crime is low at 52.1 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 273.6. Both figures are significantly better than national averages, where property crime typically exceeds 2,000 incidents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Merrick County?

Crime data for Merrick 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.

Why is Merrick County safer than the Nebraska average?

Merrick County has a safety score of 86/100, which is above the Nebraska average of 74/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.