Highland, Indiana | |
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 Location of Highland in Lake County, Indiana. | |
| Coordinates:41°32′59″N87°27′29″W / 41.54972°N 87.45806°W /41.54972; -87.45806 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| County | Lake |
| Township | North |
| Settled | 1848 |
| Incorporated | April 4, 1910 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town |
| • Body | Town Council |
| • President | George Georgeff (R, 1st) |
| • Vice-President | G. Doug Turich (R, 2nd) |
| • Councilors: | Alex Robertson (D, 3rd) Thomas Black (R, 4th) Philip Scheeringa (R, 5th) |
| • Clerk-Treasurer | Mark Herak (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.97 sq mi (18.06 km2) |
| • Land | 6.94 sq mi (17.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.039 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 23,984 |
| • Density | 3,457.1/sq mi (1,334.78/km2) |
| Standard of living (2008-12) | |
| • Per capita income | $30,036 |
| • Median home value | $155,200 |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (Central) |
| ZIP code | 46322 |
| Area code | 219 |
| FIPS code | 18-33466[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0436149[5] |
| Website | www.highland.in.gov |
Highland is a town inLake County,Indiana, United States. The population was 23,984 at the 2020 census. The town was incorporated on April 4, 1910.[6] It is a part of theChicago metropolitan area andNorth Township, and is surrounded byHammond to the north,Munster to the west,Schererville to the south andGriffith to the east.
In 1847, two pioneers from Ohio, Michael and Judith Johnston, became Highland's first settlers. The town slowly expanded until the early 1880s, when the development of Chicago & Atlantic railroad trackage through the town attracted agriculture and manufacturing industries. Dutch settlers began moving to Highland shortly thereafter from nearbyMunster.[7] 304 people resided in Highland when it was incorporated in 1910. In 1992, theIndiana Historical Bureau placed a state historical marker at 8941 Kleinman Road (41°33′2″N87°26′14″W / 41.55056°N 87.43722°W /41.55056; -87.43722) to recognize the immigration ofDutch in theCalumet Region.[8]
In 1927, PresidentCalvin Coolidge visited and delivered the dedication address for Wicker Memorial Park, located on the west side of the town. Highland, as with other towns along theLittle Calumet River, has historically been subject to flooding,[9][10] particularly during spring, and particularly in areas away from Ridge Road, which runs along the highest land in the town. Significant floods have affected Highland in 2008, 2007, and especially in September 2006.
On October 31, 2008, Barack Obama, who four days later would be elected the 44th President of the United States, stopped in Highland for a rally that drew 40,000 people to Wicker Park. It was the largest crowd there since President Coolidge dedicated the park in 1927.
According to the 2010 census, Highland has a total area of 6.96 square miles (18.03 km2), of which 6.94 square miles (17.97 km2) (or 99.71%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) (or 0.29%) is water.[11]
Highland has several neighborhoods and subdivisions. They include: Arbor Hill, Boulevard Estates, Brantwood, Ellendale, Golfmoor, Highland Terrace Estates, Homestead, Hook's, Lakeside, Meadows, Pettit Park, Sandalwood, Southridge, White Oak Estates (of Highland), Wicker Highlands, Wicker Park Estates and Wicker Park Manor (Frog Hollow).
Highland's small downtown is located around Highway Avenue, close to Kennedy Avenue. It developed there as theErie Lackawanna Railway went through that specific area. As the railway tracks were abandoned since, theErie Lackawanna Trail runs nowadays through downtown Highland instead.
Highland's downtown area features a number of buildings exhibiting Mid-Century Modern style architecture.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 304 | — | |
| 1920 | 542 | 78.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,553 | 186.5% | |
| 1940 | 2,723 | 75.3% | |
| 1950 | 5,878 | 115.9% | |
| 1960 | 16,284 | 177.0% | |
| 1970 | 24,947 | 53.2% | |
| 1980 | 25,935 | 4.0% | |
| 1990 | 23,696 | −8.6% | |
| 2000 | 23,546 | −0.6% | |
| 2010 | 23,727 | 0.8% | |
| 2020 | 23,984 | 1.1% | |
| Source: US Census Bureau | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 21,231 | 19,039 | 16,411 | 90.17% | 80.24% | 68.42% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 280 | 965 | 1,793 | 1.19% | 4.07% | 7.48% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 24 | 24 | 22 | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 252 | 371 | 415 | 1.07% | 1.56% | 1.73% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 14 | 15 | 67 | 0.06% | 0.06% | 0.28% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 187 | 265 | 805 | 0.79% | 1.12% | 3.36% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,557 | 3,047 | 4,469 | 6.61% | 12.84% | 18.63% |
| Total | 23,546 | 23,727 | 23,984 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[3] of 2010, there were 23,727 people, 9,924 households, and 6,547 families living in the town. Thepopulation density was 3,418.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,320.0/km2). There were 10,335 housing units at an average density of 1,489.2 per square mile (575.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 88.6%White, 4.2%African American, 0.2%Native American, 1.6%Asian, 3.4% fromother races, and 2.0% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 12.8% of the population.
There were 9,924 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% weremarried couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the town was 41.5 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 23,546 people, 9,636 households, and 6,677 families living in the town. The population density was 3,428.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,323.7/km2). There were 9,925 housing units at an average density of 1,445.1 per square mile (558.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.45%White, 1.26%African American, 0.15%Native American, 1.10%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 1.80% fromother races, and 1.21% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 6.61% of the population.
There were 9,636 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% weremarried couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,297, and the median income for a family was $59,106. Males had a median income of $46,217 versus $28,635 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $24,530. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
The commercial airport closest to Highland is theGary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, but most Highland residents and visitors travel from Chicago'sO'Hare International Airport orChicago Midway International Airport.
Highland lies just south of theBorman Expressway.US 41, known locally as Indianapolis Boulevard, is a major north–south artery in the town. Due to Highland's proximity to Chicago, several other Interstate and U.S. highways are within a 20-mile (32 km) radius.
The town's pedestrians and cyclists are served by theErie Lackawanna Trail, a cycling/multiuse, pavedrail trail, which cuts diagonally through Highland, connecting the town withGriffith, andCrown Point, to the southeast. The Highland portion of the trail is also known locally as the Crosstown Trail. The trail runs along the former right-of-way of theErie-Lackawanna andBaltimore and Ohio railroads, and will eventually connect pedestrians toChicago, Illinois, to the northwest and beyond Crown Point to the southeast by planned trail extensions. The trail also links Highland, by connections with other trails, withPorter County to the east.[15]
TheSchool Town of Highland is the town's public school system,[16] which operatesHighland High School, which was established in 1957, as well as a middle school and four elementary schools. The area where the former Main School once stood is marked by agazebo, which was demolished in October 2006 and rebuilt in 2007. It and the surrounding land are named Main Square Park after the now-defunct school that stood on the site until 1977. One of the other defunct schools, Lincoln Elementary, was converted into a community center in the early 1980s. The other, Orchard Park Elementary, closed in 1981 and was later purchased and reopened as a Calumet Baptist School in the early 1990s.
Highland also contains three private schools. Highland Christian School was founded in 1909 and has been in its present building and location since 1951. Our Lady of Grace School was founded in 1954 and is run by theDiocese of Gary. There is also Bible Baptist School that operates on the site of the former Orchard Elementary School.
Lake County Public Library operates the Highland Branch at 2841 Jewett Street.[17]
In the history of the Highland Police Department, two officers have been killed while on duty.[18]
Wicker Memorial Park, at 8554 Indianapolis Boulevard, is owned and operated by theNorth Township trustee and was dedicated in 1927. Featured are a 72-par, 18-hole golf course, three miles of trails, volleyball and tennis courts, a dog run, playground, splash pad, picnic areas and banquet facilities.
TheHoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve, established in 1976, is a 1,547-acre wetland prairie habitat located in an area in the vicinity of Main Street and Kennedy Avenue and partially in Highland,Griffith andSchererville. It is a unit of theIndiana Dunes National Lakeshore and managed by theIndiana Department of Natural Resources.
Highland Parks and Recreation operates the Lincoln Community Center, Sharp Athletic Complex and the four-mileErie-Lackawanna Trail. The Main Square Park Gazebo is a popular site for wedding ceremonies as well as a number of community events and festivals during the year. In addition to Homestead, Markley, Meadows and Sheppard parks, which offer shelters for picnics and gatherings, there are 16 other parks maintained with various amenities throughout the town.
Municipalities and communities ofLake County, Indiana,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Townships | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
| Geographic | |
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| Other | |
