Merrillville, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Merrillville ˈ is a town in Ross Township
, Lake County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is located in the east-central portion of Lake County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²), of which, 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.09%) is water.
The town is centered around the intersection of US 30 and Interstate 65
. The Lincoln Highway
runs through Merrillville. The original alignment of Lincoln Highway is known as 73rd Avenue (also called Old Lincoln Highway) in Merrillville, while the current Lincoln Highway (US Highway 30) is known as 81st Avenue. State Road 53 (Broadway) and State Road 55 (Taft Street) traverse the town from north to south.
The asymmetric shape of Merrillville town limits results in numerous municipal boundaries. Merrillville is bordered by Gary
and unincorporated Calumet Township, Lake County
to the north; Hobart
to the northeast; Union Township, Porter County
to the east; Winfield
and Crown Point
to the south; Schererville
to the west; and Griffith
to the northwest.
Indians. In 1834, a clearing was created for ceremonial purposes and was called McGwinn Village. A year later, a white man by the name of Jeremiah Wiggins settled in the place; McGwinn Village thus gave way to Wiggins Point.
Under the name Wiggins Point, the place became a well-known stop for wagon trains heading to Joliet, Illinois
along the old Sauk Trail
(also called the Sac Trail), which was an old Indian trail. At one time, 16 trails radiated outward from Wiggins Point. In 1838, Wiggins died. Sometime afterwards, local settlers renamed the place Centerville. Later still, it was renamed Merrillville after the brothers Dudley and William Merrill. Dudley Merrill operated a hotel and store in Centerville, and his son John P. Merrill was a Township Trustee.
Nearby, in the same former hunting grounds of the Potawatomi Indians, other settlements had sprung up. Near Deep River creek was a settlement named Deep River; near Turkey Creek was another settlement with that creek's name. Other settlements included Ainsworth, Lottaville, and Rexville. At one time, the post office for the area was named Lottaville.
In 1848, all of these settlements, including Merrillville (that is, the old McGwinn Village) were collected into one and called Ross Township. As time went by, bits and pieces of Ross Township were taken by Hobart
and Crown Point
when those towns incorporated.
In 1971, the area officially became Merrillville (which now includes the old Merrillville as well as other settlements nearby) and was incorporated as a town under Indiana law. During this time, the majority of the town's growth was due to white flight
from Gary
. At one time, Merrillville was known as the "largest town" in the U.S., with that distinction now going to Gilbert, Arizona
.
In 1993, a large unincorporated area of Lake County along US 30, east of Mississippi St. and west of Indiana 51 was annexed by the neighboring city of Hobart
. The residents of this area, although living in unincorporated Ross Township, associated themselves with Merrillville. This is because they were served by Merrillville schools and Post Office. As the area continues to be served by the Merrillville post office, local residents and businesses continue to identify themselves as being in Merrillville rather than Hobart.
Due to the unique shape of the annexed areas, someone traveling west on U.S. 30 will enter Lake County in Merrillville, then cross into Hobart, then cross into Merrillville again.
In 2009, a pedestrian bridge at Hidden Lake Park collapsed, injuring at least 25 people. The catastrophe occurred around 10 PM after the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, when several dozen people attempted to cross the wood suspension bridge. Police officers stationed at either side of the bridge were unable to stop the advancing parkgoers, and with numerous people jumping up and down the 30 year old bridge collapsed, sending somewhere around fifty people into the waters of Hidden Lake.
2010 Census statistics indicate that the vast majority of growth in Merrillville's population during the first decade of the 21st century is attributed to a sharp increase in African-American residents. Most of this population moved from Gary
and the South Side of Chicago. At the same time, the census showed a decrease in the white population, most of whom moved south to Crown Point
and east into Porter County
.
. The US 30 corridor between Taft Street and Colorado Street harbors a large concentration of big-box retailers, hotels, restaurants, and automobile dealerships. Westfield Southlake
, one of the largest shopping malls in Indiana, is located in this area.
Ameriplex at the Crossroads, an industrial and technology park, opened at Broadway between 93rd Avenue and 101st Avenue in 2005. The development is designated an Indiana Certified Technology Park and includes two Purdue University
related facilities: Purdue University Calumet
's Academic Learning Center and a business incubator/technology center operated by the Purdue Research Foundation.
Heavy industry
such as steelmaking
and petroleum refining that characterizes the economy of northern Lake County does not have a significant presence in Merrillville.
The town is home to the corporate headquarters of NiSource
, a Fortune 500 company.
Merrillville's nearest commercial airports are Griffith-Merrillville Airport
in Griffith
and Gary/Chicago International Airport
in Gary
.
Merrillville is also protected by Indiana's largest volunteer fire department, the Ross Township Fire Service. It maintains over 120 all volunteer firefighters over four stations placed throughout the town.
Chicagoland's Largest Waterpark is located in Merrillville. Deep River Waterpark
of 2010, there were 35,246 people and 14,842 households in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 46.40% White, 44.50% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 4.60% from other races
, and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.90% of the population.
As of 2010, the median income for a household in the town was $49,469 while the mean income for a household in the town was $57,728. The median income for a family was $56,911 and the mean income for a family was $65,925. The estimated per capita income for the town was $22,993. About 8.9% of families and 12.0% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line.
provides bus service along Broadway Avenue corridor and within the US 30 retail/office corridor. Those routes are partially funded by Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority
. The closest South Shore Line station is located in downtown Gary
and can be reached using GPTC Route 17. The closest Amtrak station is located in Dyer, Indiana. It cannot be directly reached by public transit as of this writing.
.
Lake County Public Library operates the Central Library at 1919 West 81st Avenue in Merrillville.
Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
Ross Township is one of eleven townships in Lake County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 47,890.-External links:* *...
, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is located in the east-central portion of Lake County.
Geography
Merrillville is located at 41.485669°N 87.335390°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²), of which, 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.09%) is water.
The town is centered around the intersection of US 30 and Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
. The Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
runs through Merrillville. The original alignment of Lincoln Highway is known as 73rd Avenue (also called Old Lincoln Highway) in Merrillville, while the current Lincoln Highway (US Highway 30) is known as 81st Avenue. State Road 53 (Broadway) and State Road 55 (Taft Street) traverse the town from north to south.
The asymmetric shape of Merrillville town limits results in numerous municipal boundaries. Merrillville is bordered by Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
and unincorporated Calumet Township, Lake County
Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana
Calumet Township is one of eleven townships in Lake County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 104,258.Cities and Towns*Gary*Griffith-External links:* *...
to the north; Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...
to the northeast; Union Township, Porter County
Union Township, Porter County, Indiana
Union Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,166.-Cities and Towns:The township has no incorporated communiies. Wheeler, located near the center of the township on State Route 130 continues to be an important...
to the east; Winfield
Winfield, Indiana
Winfield is a town in Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,383 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated 1993, making it one of newest towns in the county. Prior to that time it had been part of Winfield Township as an unincorporated town. Winfield is...
and Crown Point
Crown Point, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 27,317 people and 10,976 households in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.20% White, 6.30% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races...
to the south; Schererville
Schererville, Indiana
Schererville is a town in St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 29,243 at the 2010 census.- History :...
to the west; and Griffith
Griffith, Indiana
Griffith is a town in Calumet and St. John townships, Lake County, Indiana. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 16,893 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
to the northwest.
History
Merrillville is located on what used to be woodland that belonged to the PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
Indians. In 1834, a clearing was created for ceremonial purposes and was called McGwinn Village. A year later, a white man by the name of Jeremiah Wiggins settled in the place; McGwinn Village thus gave way to Wiggins Point.
Under the name Wiggins Point, the place became a well-known stop for wagon trains heading to Joliet, Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
along the old Sauk Trail
Sauk Trail
Sauk Trail began as a Native American trail running through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan in the United States. From west to east, the trail ran from Rock Island on the Mississippi River to the Illinois River near modern Peru then along the north bank of that river to Joliet, and on to Valparaiso,...
(also called the Sac Trail), which was an old Indian trail. At one time, 16 trails radiated outward from Wiggins Point. In 1838, Wiggins died. Sometime afterwards, local settlers renamed the place Centerville. Later still, it was renamed Merrillville after the brothers Dudley and William Merrill. Dudley Merrill operated a hotel and store in Centerville, and his son John P. Merrill was a Township Trustee.
Nearby, in the same former hunting grounds of the Potawatomi Indians, other settlements had sprung up. Near Deep River creek was a settlement named Deep River; near Turkey Creek was another settlement with that creek's name. Other settlements included Ainsworth, Lottaville, and Rexville. At one time, the post office for the area was named Lottaville.
In 1848, all of these settlements, including Merrillville (that is, the old McGwinn Village) were collected into one and called Ross Township. As time went by, bits and pieces of Ross Township were taken by Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...
and Crown Point
Crown Point, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 27,317 people and 10,976 households in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.20% White, 6.30% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races...
when those towns incorporated.
In 1971, the area officially became Merrillville (which now includes the old Merrillville as well as other settlements nearby) and was incorporated as a town under Indiana law. During this time, the majority of the town's growth was due to white flight
White flight
White flight has been a term that originated in the United States, starting in the mid-20th century, and applied to the large-scale migration of whites of various European ancestries from racially mixed urban regions to more racially homogeneous suburban or exurban regions. It was first seen as...
from Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. At one time, Merrillville was known as the "largest town" in the U.S., with that distinction now going to Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
.
In 1993, a large unincorporated area of Lake County along US 30, east of Mississippi St. and west of Indiana 51 was annexed by the neighboring city of Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...
. The residents of this area, although living in unincorporated Ross Township, associated themselves with Merrillville. This is because they were served by Merrillville schools and Post Office. As the area continues to be served by the Merrillville post office, local residents and businesses continue to identify themselves as being in Merrillville rather than Hobart.
Due to the unique shape of the annexed areas, someone traveling west on U.S. 30 will enter Lake County in Merrillville, then cross into Hobart, then cross into Merrillville again.
In 2009, a pedestrian bridge at Hidden Lake Park collapsed, injuring at least 25 people. The catastrophe occurred around 10 PM after the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, when several dozen people attempted to cross the wood suspension bridge. Police officers stationed at either side of the bridge were unable to stop the advancing parkgoers, and with numerous people jumping up and down the 30 year old bridge collapsed, sending somewhere around fifty people into the waters of Hidden Lake.
2010 Census statistics indicate that the vast majority of growth in Merrillville's population during the first decade of the 21st century is attributed to a sharp increase in African-American residents. Most of this population moved from Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
and the South Side of Chicago. At the same time, the census showed a decrease in the white population, most of whom moved south to Crown Point
Crown Point, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 27,317 people and 10,976 households in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.20% White, 6.30% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races...
and east into Porter County
Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...
.
Economy
Merrillville is a hub for retail trade in Northwest IndianaNorthwest Indiana
Northwest Indiana, also known as the South Shore and The Calumet Region or simply The Region, comprises Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana. This region neighbors Lake Michigan and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
. The US 30 corridor between Taft Street and Colorado Street harbors a large concentration of big-box retailers, hotels, restaurants, and automobile dealerships. Westfield Southlake
Westfield Southlake
Westfield Southlake, formerly Southlake Mall is a shopping mall in Hobart, Indiana. The tract of land on which it sits was annexed from unincorporated Ross Township in 1993 and as the US Postal Service has left it in Merrillville's ZIP Code, many stores still consider themselves to be Merrillville...
, one of the largest shopping malls in Indiana, is located in this area.
Ameriplex at the Crossroads, an industrial and technology park, opened at Broadway between 93rd Avenue and 101st Avenue in 2005. The development is designated an Indiana Certified Technology Park and includes two Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
related facilities: Purdue University Calumet
Purdue University Calumet
Purdue University Calumet is a school within the Purdue University system that is located in Hammond, Indiana in the Northwest Indiana portion of the Chicago metropolitan area.-Schools:Purdue University Calumet is academically organized into six schools:...
's Academic Learning Center and a business incubator/technology center operated by the Purdue Research Foundation.
Heavy industry
Heavy industry
Heavy industry does not have a single fixed meaning as compared to light industry. It can mean production of products which are either heavy in weight or in the processes leading to their production. In general, it is a popular term used within the name of many Japanese and Korean firms, meaning...
such as steelmaking
Steelmaking
Steelmaking is the second step in producing steel from iron ore. In this stage, impurities such as sulfur, phosphorus, and excess carbon are removed from the raw iron, and alloying elements such as manganese, nickel, chromium and vanadium are added to produce the exact steel required.-Older...
and petroleum refining that characterizes the economy of northern Lake County does not have a significant presence in Merrillville.
The town is home to the corporate headquarters of NiSource
NiSource
NiSource, Inc. , based in Merrillville, Indiana, is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution...
, a Fortune 500 company.
Merrillville's nearest commercial airports are Griffith-Merrillville Airport
Griffith-Merrillville Airport
Griffith-Merrillville Airport is a public-use airport located two nautical miles east of the central business district of Griffith, a town in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is privately owned by Griffith Aviation, Inc....
in Griffith
Griffith, Indiana
Griffith is a town in Calumet and St. John townships, Lake County, Indiana. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 16,893 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
and Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop...
in Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
.
Merrillville is also protected by Indiana's largest volunteer fire department, the Ross Township Fire Service. It maintains over 120 all volunteer firefighters over four stations placed throughout the town.
Chicagoland's Largest Waterpark is located in Merrillville. Deep River Waterpark
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 35,246 people and 14,842 households in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 46.40% White, 44.50% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 4.60% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.90% of the population.
As of 2010, the median income for a household in the town was $49,469 while the mean income for a household in the town was $57,728. The median income for a family was $56,911 and the mean income for a family was $65,925. The estimated per capita income for the town was $22,993. About 8.9% of families and 12.0% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line.
Transportation
Gary Public Transportation CorporationGary Public Transportation Corporation
The Gary Public Transportation Corporation is a commuter bus system in Gary, Indiana that offers service to numerous stops throughout the city and neighboring suburbs...
provides bus service along Broadway Avenue corridor and within the US 30 retail/office corridor. Those routes are partially funded by Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority
Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority
Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority is a regional public transit agency operating in Northwest Indiana's Lake and Porter counties. Established in 2000, it was known as Regional Transportation Authority until 2005...
. The closest South Shore Line station is located in downtown Gary
Gary Metro Center (NICTD)
Gary Metro Center is a South Shore Line commuter station serving the city center of Gary, Indiana. It is one of three NICTD electric train stations in Gary, and serves the Genesis Convention Center, home of the Gary Steelheads basketball team, and the U.S. Steel Yard baseball park, home of the...
and can be reached using GPTC Route 17. The closest Amtrak station is located in Dyer, Indiana. It cannot be directly reached by public transit as of this writing.
Education
Public education in the town of Merrillville is provided by the Merrillville Community School CorporationMerrillville Community School Corporation
Merrillville Community School Corporation is a school district headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana, United States.The district serves Merrillville, portions of Hobart, portions of Crown Point, and unincorporated sections of Lake County.-Secondary schools:...
.
Lake County Public Library operates the Central Library at 1919 West 81st Avenue in Merrillville.