Lake County, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake County, Indiana
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Former Lake County Courthouse
in Crown Point, Indiana |
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Location in the state of Indiana
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Indiana's location in the U.S.
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Country | United States | |
State | Indiana | |
Region | Northwest Indiana | |
Metro area | Chicago Metropolitan | |
Settled | October 1834 | |
Established | February 16, 1837 | |
Named for | Lake Michigan | |
County seat | Crown Point | |
Largest city | Hammond (population) Gary (total area) |
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Incorporated municipalities |
19 cities and towns
Cedar Lake (town)
Crown Point (city) Dyer (town) East Chicago (city) Gary (city) Griffith (town) Hammond (city) Highland (town) Hobart (city) Lake Station (city) Lowell (town) Merrillville (town) Munster (town) New Chicago (town) Schererville (town) Schneider (town) St. John (town) Whiting (city) Winfield (town) |
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Government | ||
• Type | County | |
• Body | Board of Commissioners | |
Area | ||
• County | 626.5 sq mi (1,623 km2) | |
• Land | 498.9 sq mi (1,292 km2) | |
• Water | 127.6 sq mi (330 km2) | |
• Metro | 10,874 sq mi (28,160 km2) | |
Area rank | 12th largest county in Indiana | |
• Region | 2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2) | |
Dimensions | ||
• Length | 36 mi (58 km) | |
• Width | 16 mi (26 km) | |
Elevation
(mean)
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663 ft (202 m) | |
Highest elevation
– NE Winfield Twp
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801 ft (244 m) | |
Lowest elevation
– at Lake Michigan
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585 ft (178 m) | |
Population
(2020)
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• County | 498,700 | |
• Rank | 2nd largest county in Indiana 131st largest county in U.S. | |
• Density | 994/sq mi (384/km2) | |
• Metro | 9,522,434 | |
• Region | 819,537 | |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (Central) | |
ZIP Codes |
46303, 46307-08, 46311-12, 46319-25, 46327, 46341-42, 46355-56, 46373, 46375-77, 46394, 46401-11
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Area code | 219 | |
Congressional district | 1st | |
Indiana Senate districts | 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th | |
Indiana House of Representatives districts | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 19th | |
FIPS code | 18-089 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0450495 | |
Interstates |
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U.S. Routes |
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State Routes | |
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Airports | Gary/Chicago International Griffith-Merrillville |
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Waterways | Grand Calumet River Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal Kankakee River Lake Michigan |
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Amtrak stations | Dyer – Hammond-Whiting
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South Shore Line stations | Hammond – East Chicago Adam Benjamin Metro Center Gary/Chicago Airport – Miller |
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Public transit | East Chicago Transit Gary Public Transportation |
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Website | www.lakecountyin.org | |
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Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2020, its population was 498,700, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. The county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area, and contains a mix of urban, suburban and rural areas. It is bordered on the north by Lake Michigan and contains a portion of the Indiana Dunes. It includes Marktown, Clayton Mark's planned worker community in East Chicago.
Contents
History
Lake County was established on February 16, 1837. From 1832 to 1836 the area that was to become Lake County was part of La Porte County. From 1836 to 1837 it was part of Porter County. It was named for its location on Lake Michigan. The original county seat was Liverpool until Lake Court House, which later became Crown Point, was chosen in 1840.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 626.56 square miles (1,622.8 km2), of which 498.96 square miles (1,292.3 km2) (or 79.63%) is land and 127.60 square miles (330.5 km2) (or 20.37%) is water.
The northern and southern portions of the county (north of U.S. 30 and south of Lowell) are mainly low and flat, except for a few sand ridges and dunes and were both once very marshy and had to be drained. The lowest point, at 585 feet (178 m), is along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The central part of the county is higher and hillier. As you travel south from the low and relatively flat lake plain in the northern part of the county, the land gradually rises in elevation until the peak of the Valparaiso Moraine. The highest point, at 801 feet (244 m), is in northeastern Winfield Township near 109th Street and North Lakeshore Drive in Lakes of the Four Seasons. From here the land descends south into the Kankakee Outwash Plain until the Kankakee River is reached.
The geographic center of Lake County is approximately 200 feet (61 m) northwest of Burr Street and West 113th Avenue in Center Township 41°24′53.8″N 87°24′14.3″W / 41.414944°N 87.403972°W.
National protected area
- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore – also in LaPorte and Porter counties
Airports
- Gary/Chicago International Airport
- Griffith-Merrillville Airport
Major highways
Interstate 65 in Lake County is called the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Interstate 80/94/US 6 is the Frank Borman Expressway from the Illinois state line east to the Indiana Toll Road interchange in the eastern portion of the county. Interstate 94 has been referred to as the Chicago-Detroit Industrial Freeway. US 6 is part of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Broadway (Indiana 53) is also the Carolyn Mosby Memorial Highway. Indiana 51 is known for its entire length as the Adam Benjamin Memorial Highway. US 30 is part of the historic Lincoln Highway. US 12 from Gary eastward is part of Dunes Highway. Cline Avenue (Indiana 912) from US 12 north and westward is known as the Highway Construction Workers Memorial Highway.
Railroads
- Amtrak
- Canadian National Railway
- Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad
- Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad
- CSX Transportation
- Gary Railway
- Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
- Norfolk Southern Railway
- South Shore Line
Adjacent counties
Municipalities
The municipalities in Lake County, and their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Townships
The 11 townships of Lake County, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
Climate and weather
Climate data for Lowell, Indiana (1981-2010 normals, extremes 1963-present) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 66 (19) |
73 (23) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
104 (40) |
101 (38) |
104 (40) |
98 (37) |
92 (33) |
77 (25) |
70 (21) |
104 (40) |
Average high °F (°C) | 31.2 (−0.4) |
35.8 (2.1) |
47.5 (8.6) |
60.8 (16.0) |
71.3 (21.8) |
80.7 (27.1) |
83.8 (28.8) |
82.0 (27.8) |
76.4 (24.7) |
63.6 (17.6) |
49.4 (9.7) |
35.1 (1.7) |
59.8 (15.5) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.8 (−5.1) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
37.4 (3.0) |
49.3 (9.6) |
59.8 (15.4) |
69.7 (20.9) |
73.1 (22.8) |
71.1 (21.7) |
64.2 (17.9) |
51.9 (11.1) |
40.2 (4.6) |
27.1 (−2.7) |
49.4 (9.7) |
Average low °F (°C) | 14.4 (−9.8) |
17.7 (−7.9) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
37.9 (3.3) |
48.2 (9.0) |
58.7 (14.8) |
62.4 (16.9) |
60.3 (15.7) |
52.0 (11.1) |
40.2 (4.6) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
39.1 (3.9) |
Record low °F (°C) | −28 (−33) |
−23 (−31) |
−9 (−23) |
7 (−14) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
41 (5) |
38 (3) |
28 (−2) |
18 (−8) |
2 (−17) |
−29 (−34) |
−29 (−34) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.96 (50) |
1.75 (44) |
2.57 (65) |
3.78 (96) |
4.38 (111) |
4.69 (119) |
4 (100) |
3.98 (101) |
3.14 (80) |
3.44 (87) |
3.43 (87) |
2.34 (59) |
39.46 (999) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.8 (22) |
8.2 (21) |
3.4 (8.6) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.7 (1.8) |
7.7 (20) |
29.3 (74.67) |
Source: NOAA (normals, 1981–2010) |
In recent years, average temperatures in Lowell have ranged from a low of 14.4 °F (−9.8 °C) in January to a high of 83.8 °F (28.8 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in December 1989 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.75 inches (44 mm) in February to 4.69 inches (119 mm) in June. Temperatures at or below 0 °F (−18 °C) occur on average 11 days annually and exceed 90 °F (32 °C) degrees on 14 days. In spring and early summer, the immediate shoreline areas sometimes experience lake-breeze that can drop temperatures by several degrees compared to areas further inland. In summer, thunderstorms are common, occurring an average 40–50 days every year, and on about 13 days, these thunderstorms produce severe winds.
Culture and contemporary life
Entertainment and the arts
- Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra – performances at various venues
- Star Plaza Theatre – Merrillville
- Theatre at the Center, located at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts – Munster
Major attractions
Professional sports teams
- Gary SouthShore RailCats, an American Association professional baseball team, play their games at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.
- Gary Splash, an Independent Basketball Association professional basketball team, play their games at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary.
Recreation
- List of parks and recreational facilities – Lake County Parks and Recreation
- List of recreational facilities – Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Demographics
Demographics (2010) | |||
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White | Black | Asian | |
64.4% | 25.9% | 1.2% | |
Islander | Native | Other | Hispanic (any race) |
0.0% | 0.3% | 8.2% | 16.7% |
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1840 | 1,468 | — | |
1850 | 3,991 | 171.9% | |
1860 | 9,145 | 129.1% | |
1870 | 12,339 | 34.9% | |
1880 | 15,091 | 22.3% | |
1890 | 23,886 | 58.3% | |
1900 | 37,892 | 58.6% | |
1910 | 82,864 | 118.7% | |
1920 | 159,957 | 93.0% | |
1930 | 261,310 | 63.4% | |
1940 | 293,195 | 12.2% | |
1950 | 368,152 | 25.6% | |
1960 | 513,269 | 39.4% | |
1970 | 546,253 | 6.4% | |
1980 | 522,965 | −4.3% | |
1990 | 475,594 | −9.1% | |
2000 | 484,564 | 1.9% | |
2010 | 496,005 | 2.4% | |
2020 | 498,700 | 0.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 |
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 496,005 people, 188,157 households, and 127,647 families residing in the county. The population density was 994.1 inhabitants per square mile (383.8/km2). There were 208,750 housing units at an average density of 418.4 per square mile (161.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.4% white, 25.9% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 5.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.1% were German, 11.1% were Irish, 9.6% were Polish, 5.4% were English, and 3.7% were American.
Of the 188,157 households, 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 37.4 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $58,931. Males had a median income of $50,137 versus $33,264 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,142. About 12.2% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Place | Population (2010) | White | Black or African American |
Asian | Other |
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
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Lake County | 496,005 | 64.4% | 25.9% | 1.2% | 8.5% | 16.7% |
Cedar Lake, town | 11,560 | 94.9% | 0.5% | 0.4% | 4.2% | 6.5% |
Crown Point, city | 27,317 | 88.2% | 6.3% | 1.8% | 3.7% | 8.1% |
Dyer, town | 16,390 | 90.1% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 4.5% | 9.3% |
East Chicago, city | 29,698 | 35.5% | 42.9% | 0.1% | 21.5% | 50.9% |
Gary, city | 80,294 | 10.7% | 84.8% | 0.2% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
Griffith, town | 16,893 | 75.8% | 16.9% | 0.8% | 6.5% | 13.3% |
Hammond, city | 80,830 | 59.4% | 22.5% | 1.0% | 17.1% | 34.1% |
Highland, town | 23,727 | 88.6% | 4.2% | 1.6% | 5.6% | 12.8% |
Hobart, city | 29,059 | 85.3% | 7.0% | 1.0% | 6.7% | 13.9% |
Lake Dalecarlia, CDP | 1,355 | 97.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 2.4% | 3.4% |
Lake Station, city | 12,572 | 79.7% | 3.6% | 0.3% | 16.4% | 28.0% |
Lakes of the Four Seasons, CDP | 7,033 | 93.4% | 1.2% | 1.0% | 4.4% | 8.5% |
Lowell, town | 9,276 | 95.9% | 0.5% | 0.3% | 3.3% | 6.9% |
Merrillville, town | 35,246 | 46.4% | 44.5% | 1.2% | 7.9% | 12.9% |
Munster, town | 23,603 | 85.6% | 3.5% | 5.8% | 5.1% | 10.2% |
New Chicago, town | 2,035 | 81.0% | 2.2% | 0.7% | 16.1% | 27.4% |
St. John, town | 14,850 | 93.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 3.9% | 8.2% |
Schererville, town | 29,243 | 86.8% | 5.4% | 2.8% | 5.0% | 10.6% |
Schneider, town | 277 | 97.1% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 1.8% | 2.5% |
Shelby, CDP | 539 | 95.5% | 1.7% | 0.2% | 2.6% | 0.9% |
Whiting, city | 4,997 | 76.3% | 3.5% | 0.7% | 19.5% | 40.7% |
Winfield, town | 4,383 | 88.5% | 3.7% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 8.9% |
Place | Population (2010) | Per capita income |
Median household income |
Median home value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lake County | 496,005 | $23,792 | $49,315 | $137,400 |
Cedar Lake, town | 11,560 | $25,477 | $59,090 | $151,400 |
Crown Point, city | 27,317 | $31,454 | $64,876 | $174,900 |
Dyer, town | 16,390 | $35,020 | $78,881 | $197,500 |
East Chicago, city | 29,698 | $13,457 | $27,171 | $86,800 |
Gary, city | 80,294 | $15,764 | $26,956 | $66,900 |
Griffith, town | 16,893 | $26,548 | $53,225 | $141,600 |
Hammond, city | 80,830 | $18,148 | $38,677 | $94,800 |
Highland, town | 23,727 | $30,036 | $61,930 | $155,200 |
Hobart, city | 29,059 | $24,740 | $54,468 | $134,400 |
Lake Dalecarlia, CDP | 1,355 | $25,035 | $52,321 | $165,400 |
Lake Station, city | 12,572 | $16,953 | $36,955 | $82,400 |
Lakes of the Four Seasons, CDP | 7,033 | $32,908 | $84,242 | $182,600 |
Lowell, town | 9,276 | $23,619 | $60,549 | $146,500 |
Merrillville, town | 35,246 | $23,605 | $53,470 | $132,600 |
Munster, town | 23,603 | $34,735 | $70,708 | $197,600 |
New Chicago, town | 2,035 | $18,083 | $38,672 | $97,700 |
St. John, town | 14,850 | $36,490 | $97,868 | $254,600 |
Schererville, town | 29,243 | $33,984 | $68,004 | $204,300 |
Schneider, town | 277 | $18,774 | $50,972 | $89,500 |
Shelby, CDP | 539 | $29,700 | $61,667 | $89,700 |
Whiting, city | 4,997 | $21,427 | $44,368 | $111,500 |
Winfield, town | 4,383 | $23,792 | $49,315 | $137,400 |
Economy
Despite the decline of heavy industry, manufacturing was still the largest employment sector in Lake County in 2010 with over 45,000 workers employed, followed closely by healthcare and social assistance at 44,000 workers, public administration at 40,000 workers, retail trade at 37,000 workers, accommodation and food services at 25,000 workers, and construction at 15,000 workers.
Lake County's GDP in 2010 was measured at nearly $25 billion. Manufacturing was also the largest sector of the economy in economic terms, contributing over $5.8 billion to the county's GDP in 2010. It was followed by healthcare and social assistance at $2.6 billion, public administration at $2.5 billion, and retail trade at $1.9 billion. While Lake County's average income was approximately 24% higher than the national average in 1978, in 2010 Lake County had fallen significantly behind the United States as a whole, with average income being approximately 12.9% lower. The national average surpassed Lake County sometime around 1986.
Businesses with the largest number of employees in the county are:
- Americall Group, Inc. – Hobart
- Ameristar Casino – East Chicago
- ArcelorMittal – East Chicago
- BP Whiting Refinery – Whiting
- Canadian National Railway – Whiting
- Cargill – Hammond
- Community Hospital – Munster
- Franciscan Alliance, Inc. – locations throughout the region
- Franciscan Health Hammond – Hammond
- Horseshoe Casino – Hammond
- Majestic Star Casino – Gary
- Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus – Merrillville
- NiSource – Merrillville
- Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza – Merrillville (closed)
- St. Catherine Hospital – East Chicago
- St. Mary Medical Center – Hobart
- Times Media Company – Munster
- Unilever – Whiting
- U.S. Steel Gary Works – Gary
Education
Public school districts
The administration of public schools in Lake County is divided among 16 corporations and governing bodies, more than any other Indiana county.
- Crown Point Community School Corporation – Center and Winfield townships
- Gary Community School Corporation – City of Gary
- Griffith Public Schools – Town of Griffith
- Hanover Community School Corporation – Hanover Township
- Lake Central School Corporation – St. John Township
- Lake Ridge Schools Corporation – unincorporated Calumet Township
- Lake Station Community Schools – City of Lake Station
- Merrillville Community School Corporation – Ross Township
- River Forest Community School Corporation – Town of New Chicago and some portions of adjacent communities
- School City of East Chicago – City of East Chicago
- School City of Hammond – City of Hammond
- School City of Hobart – City of Hobart within Hobart Township
- School City of Whiting – City of Whiting
- School Town of Highland – Town of Highland
- School Town of Munster – Town of Munster
- Tri-Creek School Corporation – Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek and West Creek townships
Private schools
Elementary and secondary schools operated by the Diocese of Gary:
- Andrean High School, Merrillville (9–12)
- Aquinas School at St. Andrew's, Merrillville (PK–8)
- Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond (9–12)
- Our Lady of Grace, Highland (PK–8)
- St. Casimir, Hammond (PK–8)
- St. John Bosco, Hammond (PK–8)
- St. John the Baptist, Whiting (PK–8)
- St. John the Evangelist, St. John (PK–8)
- St. Mary, Crown Point (PK–8)
- St. Mary, Griffith (PK–8)
- St. Michael, Schererville (PK–8)
- St. Stanislaus, East Chicago (PK–8)
- St. Thomas More, Munster (PK–8)
Other parochial and private schools:
- St. Paul's Lutheran School, Munster (PK–8)
- Trinity Lutheran School, Crown Point (PK–8)
- Trinity Lutheran School, Hobart (PK–8)
Colleges and universities
- Calumet College of St. Joseph
- Hyles–Anderson College
- Indiana University Northwest
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Purdue University Northwest
- University of Phoenix
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Lake (Indiana) para niños