Population 26,032 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in East Chicago
Household size in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.10 | 2.79 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 2.82 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.71 | 2.75 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.34 | −0.12 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in East Chicago holds 2.75 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 3.10 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.0 | 36.8 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.0 | 37.8 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.1 | 38.9 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.1 | 39.7 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.1 | +3.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of East Chicago is 36.1 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.0, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the southwest and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1% | 12.0% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.0% | 12.0% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 11.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than one in five households in East Chicago (22.4%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Indiana city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in East Chicago
Renters in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.6% | 32.1% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 56.6% | 34.8% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.8% | 35.5% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 57.1% | 34.5% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in East Chicago rent: 57.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 57.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.7% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.1% | 7.2% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in East Chicago: 19.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 5.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1947 | 1966 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1943 | 1967 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1945 | 1967 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1943 | 1970 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | −4 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in East Chicago is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1943, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Only one other Indiana city with 5,000+ people has older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $650 | $1,060 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $693 | $1,142 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $705 | $1,306 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $910 | $1,602 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$260 | +$542 | +$384 | +$606 |
Rent in East Chicago runs $910 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $260 a month from 2006–10, a 40% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in East Chicago
Bachelor's degrees in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 33.9% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 35.2% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 40.9% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in East Chicago: 11.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.2 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people, only six have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.4% | 85.6% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.5% | 86.7% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 72.8% | 88.4% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 73.9% | 89.5% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +3.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults in East Chicago never finished high school, well above the national share: only 73.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only seven of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in East Chicago
| Period | East Chicago | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 9.1% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 6.3% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 6.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −2.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in East Chicago: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only seven of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 4.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
East Chicago compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Chicago | 2.75 | 36.1 | 22.4% | 57.1% | 19.1% | 1943 | $910 | 11.8% | 73.9% | 8.2% |
| Hammond | 2.72 | 36.0 | 20.1% | 38.6% | 10.6% | 1954 | $1,161 | 16.7% | 82.2% | 7.0% |
| Whiting | 2.58 | 42.0 | 15.1% | 34.8% | 9.6% | 1940 | $1,043 | 22.4% | 84.4% | 8.6% |
| Calumet City | 2.66 | 39.7 | 22.0% | 44.3% | 15.1% | 1964 | $1,293 | 21.8% | 88.8% | 11.2% |
| Burnham | 2.60 | 38.4 | 16.6% | 42.0% | 10.3% | 1968 | $1,260 | 15.6% | 84.5% | 10.2% |
| Highland | 2.29 | 46.2 | 11.4% | 21.5% | 5.4% | 1969 | $1,305 | 29.8% | 94.2% | 4.9% |
| Munster | 2.53 | 45.3 | 9.2% | 13.1% | 4.9% | 1975 | $1,678 | 50.5% | 95.5% | 5.7% |
| Lansing | 2.55 | 40.1 | 20.7% | 27.5% | 8.1% | 1965 | $1,376 | 28.3% | 93.4% | 9.4% |
| Dolton | 2.77 | 40.1 | 21.7% | 27.5% | 10.8% | 1964 | $1,579 | 21.6% | 93.8% | 13.2% |
| Griffith | 2.37 | 38.3 | 17.1% | 26.8% | 5.9% | 1966 | $1,213 | 27.1% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| South Holland | 2.80 | 42.7 | 20.6% | 17.5% | 5.2% | 1967 | $2,106 | 24.5% | 91.4% | 11.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: El Macero, CA · Verona, WI · Vernon Hills, IL · Vega Alta, PR · Valencia, CA · Tarpon Springs, FL · Haslet, TX · Fremont, OH · Fort Dodge, IA · Villalba, PR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up East Chicago. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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