In the northwest part of Indiana, Merrillville, with a population of just over 35,000, is a Chicago suburb about 45 miles southeast of downtown. “It’s fair to call Merrillville a bedroom community for people working in Chicago,” says Mark Keene, managing broker with BS Realty Services. “One of the advantages of Merrillville is that it’s not Gary. Gary's southern border connects to the northern part of Merrillville. People will buy a house a block from Gary because it has a Merrillville address.” Gary has been economically depressed after the steel industry's decline.
Some communities closer to Lake Michigan still rely on steel plants for jobs, but in Merrillville, fewer still exist. Major Merrillville employers can be found in the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads industrial and technology park, which includes an Amazon Distribution Center and ProFab Sheet Metal. North of that development is the corporate headquarters of the energy company NiSource, one of the largest employers in the region.
Merrillville is a Chicago suburb about 45 miles southeast of downtown.
The corporate headquarters of the energy company NiSource is in Merrillville.
An Amazon Distribution Center employs a large number of Merrillville residents.
Pro-Fab Sheet Metal is located at AmeriPlex at the Crossroads in Merrillville.
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Route 30 development in Merrillville
Where Route 30, or Lincoln Highway, intersects with Interstate 65, that’s where the retail development is. “I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m 64. It used to be that you could get on Route 30 west of Merrillville and drive east to Valparaiso for 15 miles, and there wasn’t one stoplight. Today, there’s a dozen stoplights in Merrillville alone,” Keene says. “There isn’t a restaurant you can think of that’s not in Merrillville.” Most retail and restaurant opportunities are on Route 30 between Taft and Colorado Streets. Southlake Mall, opened in 1974, is east of Interstate 65 on Route 30 and has nearly 150 stores.
Retail development runs along the edges of Route 30 in Merrillville.
The Merrillville Portillo's is a Chicagloand staple, serving up hot dogs, burgers, and more.
The Southlake Mall officially opened its doors in 1974 in Merrillville.
Residents shop for groceries at Meijer in Merrillville.
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Albanese Candy Factory
East of Southlake Mall is the Albanese Candy Factory, which specializes in gummies and chocolate along with seasonal gifts, many of which can be purchased at its gift shop. Across the street, ChicagoLand Popcorn touts over 250 gourmet popcorn flavors, which shoppers can sample before buying. Further east on Route 30 is Deep River Waterpark, home to over a dozen water-based attractions sprawling across 1,200 acres. In the winter, the plaza of the waterpark is available for ice skating on Thursday through Sunday from late November through late January.
The Albanese Candy Factory specializes in gummies and chocolate in Merrillville.
ChicagoLand Popcorn touts over 250 gourmet popcorn flavors in Merrillville.
Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville is home to over a dozen water-based attractions.
The plaza at Deep River Waterpark in Merrillvlle is open for ice skating in the winter.
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Merrillville's median home price is below the national average
“Merrillville is going to keep growing. There’s property around it that can still be developed,” Keene says. The median single-family house price is about $260,000, more expensive than the median price in Gary, $115,000, and less costly than Schererville, the neighboring community to the west, where the median price is $370,000. The national median is over $400,000. While many houses were built between the 1950s and ‘70s, a few contemporary builds exist. Townhouses range from $100,000 to $400,000, while condos are priced from $100,000 to $275,000.
According to FBI statistics, crime in Merrillville is below the national and Indiana state averages for both violent and property crimes. The Merrillville Police Department stats are only current through early 2022.
Many Cape Cods in Merrillville were built between the 1950s and 1970s.
Split-level homes are common throughout Merrillville.
Newly constructed, contemporary homes can be found in Merrillville.
Condos are priced from $100,000 to $275,000 in Merrillville.
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Kindergarten through grade 12 and beyond in Merrillville
The Merrillville Community School Corporation, which consists of five elementary schools, an intermediate and middle school and one high school, is rated a B-minus on Niche. Aquinas Catholic Community School serves kindergarten through 8th grade, while Midwest Elite Preparatory is another private school option that serves K-12 students. Merrillville is also home to a satellite education center for Indiana Wesleyan University and a branch of Ivy Tech Community College located inside the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads Industrial and Technology Park.
Henry P. Fieler Elementary has 447 students with an overall C grade according to Niche.
Merrillville Intermediate School serves grades 5 through 6 with 855 students.
Merrillville High School has 2,042 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.
Merrillville is home to a satellite education center for Indiana Wesleyan University.
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Hidden Lake Park
Hidden Lake Park in the North Merrillville neighborhood features picnic shelters and a disc golf course, with rental paddleboats available to explore the lake. Four ball fields host games throughout the summer, while a sledding hill keeps the park active in the winter. The Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department operates more facilities throughout the town, including playground equipment and more lakes for fishing opportunities. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the Turkey Creek Golf Club or the Innsbrook Country Club.
Hidden Lake Park has an 18-basket disc golf course.
Hidden Lake Park has many amenities including its stunning lake.
Residents of Merrillville enjoy playing 18 holes at Innsbrook Country Club.
Turkey Run Golf Course is an excellent 18-hole championship golf course in Merrillville.
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Broadway Metro Express
The Broadway Metro Express from the Gary Public Transportation Corporation provides public bus service in Merrillville. The bus stops at Merrillville Town Hall and Merrillville High School and can take Chicago commuters to the Gary station of the South Shore Express. Interstate 65 skirts the eastern side of the town and leads to Interstate 90 for a straight shot into Chicago.
Events in Merrillville
Residents come together throughout the year for Merrillville's events. These range from the annual National Night Out event with emergency responders, to Independence Celebrations including a parade and fireworks. The winter holidays bring the annual tree lighting event, while residents can compete in the holiday home decorating contest.
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