Set in the middle of Lake County, Merrillville is part of the Gary metropolitan area. The city is located just forty miles from Chicago and within a few hours' drive of Forth Wayne, Indianapolis, Toledo, and Detroit. Several major interstates connect Merrillville to these large metropolitan areas, including I-65, US 30, and SR 53. Residents of Merrillville trace the city's beginnings to 1834, when Potawatomi Indians lived in the area and named it McGwinn Village. Since then, the city has flourished, changing names twice, and finally incorporating in 1971. Today's Merrillville offers educational and cultural opportunities and, in its 14 area parks, swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking. Thanks to its proximity to the southern tip of Lake Michigan, pleasant shorelines are within a reasonable driving distance. Three major colleges and universities also call Merrillville home: Calumet College of St. Joseph, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Calumet. New-comers to the area can educate themselves about the region by visiting the Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Museum, housed in a former schoolhouse. The city also boasts the Star Plaza Theatre, which showcases a variety of cultural performances annually.

Merrillville is at the center of several major transportation thoroughfares. These thoroughfares put Merrillville in direct connection with those regional cities identified above, as well as the Cities of Gary, Crown Point, Hobart & the Town of Schererville.

Housing Cost

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $143,377

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $156,936; Detached houses: $157,302; Townhouses or other attached units: $137,525; In 2-unit structures: $250,586; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $102,441; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $133,757; Mobile homes: $63,649

Demographics

Population in July 2007: 32,147. Merrillville covers 33.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 650 feet above sea level.

Zip codes: 46410 - Area code: 219

Weather

Merrillville, IN climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 83.90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 13.90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Merrillville is 38.02 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 4.47 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com