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Lake County, Indiana
Former Lake County Courthousein Crown Point, Indiana
Former Lake County Courthouse
in Crown Point, Indiana
Official seal of Lake County, Indiana
Seal
Location in the state of Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Indiana's location in the U.S.
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)
Incorporated
municipalities
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)
663 ft (202 m)
Highest elevation
– NE Winfield Twp
801 ft (244 m)
Lowest elevation
– at Lake Michigan
585 ft (178 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • 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
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 I-65.svg I-80.svg Indiana Toll Road logo 1968.svg I-90.svg I-94.svg
U.S. Routes US 6.svg US 12.svg US 20.svg US 30.svg US 41.svg US 231.svg
State Routes Indiana 2.svg Indiana 51.svg Indiana 53.svg Indiana 55.svg
Indiana 130.svg Indiana 152.svg Indiana 312.svg Indiana 912.svg
Airports Gary/Chicago International
Griffith-Merrillville
Waterways Grand Calumet River
Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal
Kankakee River
Lake Michigan
Amtrak stations Dyer – Hammond-Whiting
South Shore Line stations Hammond – East Chicago
Adam Benjamin Metro Center
Gary/Chicago Airport – Miller
Public transit East Chicago Transit
Gary Public Transportation
Website www.lakecountyin.org
  • Indiana county number 45
  • Second most-populous county in Indiana

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.

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 / 41.414944; -87.403972.

National protected area

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.

3

Railroads

Adjacent counties

2

Municipalities

Lakes of the Four Seasons, IndianaSchneider, IndianaSt. John, IndianaCrown Point, IndianaHobart, IndianaLowell, IndianaLake Dalecarlia, IndianaCedar Lake, IndianaDyer, IndianaWinfield, IndianaGary, IndianaMerrillville, IndianaLake Station, IndianaNew Chicago, IndianaGriffith, IndianaSchererville, IndianaMunster, IndianaEast Chicago, IndianaHammond, IndianaWhiting, IndianaHighland, Lake County, IndianaLake County, Indiana map.svg

The municipalities in Lake County, and their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:

Cities

2

Towns

2

Census-designated places

2

Unincorporated communities

4

Townships

The 11 townships of Lake County, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:

3

Climate and weather

Climate data for Lowell, Indiana (1981-2010 normals, extremes 1963-present)
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)
Lake County, IN
Satellite imagery of Lake County, IN

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

2

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
2
List of recreational facilities – Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
2

Demographics

Demographics (2010)
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
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.

Places by population and race
Place Population (2010) White Black or African
American
Asian Other
Hispanic or Latino
(of any race)
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%
Places by population and standard of living
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

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