Lake County, Indiana | |
|---|---|
 FormerLake County Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Location in the state ofIndiana | |
 Indiana's location in theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:41°25′N87°22′W / 41.417°N 87.367°W /41.417; -87.367 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| Region | Northwest Indiana |
| Metro area | Chicago Metropolitan |
| Settled | October 1834[1] |
| Established | February 16, 1837[2] |
| Named after | Lake Michigan |
| County seat | Crown Point |
| Largest city | Hammond (population) Gary (total area) |
| Incorporated municipalities | 19 cities and towns
|
| Government | |
| • Type | County |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners |
| • Commissioner | Kyle W. Allen, Sr. (D, 1st) |
| • Commissioner | Jerry J. Tippy (R, 2nd) |
| • Commissioner | Michael C. Repay (D, 3rd) |
| • County Council | |
| 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) |
| • 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 [5](mean) | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Highest elevation [6]—NE Winfield Twp | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Lowest elevation [7]—at Lake Michigan | 585 ft (178 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• County | 498,700 |
• Estimate (2023) | 500,598 |
| • Rank | 2nd largest county in Indiana 131st largest county in U.S.[8] |
| • Density | 999.6/sq mi (385.9/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 |
| 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 Gateway –East Chicago Adam Benjamin Metro Center Gary/Chicago Airport –Miller |
| Public transit | East Chicago Transit Gary Public Transportation Broadway Metro Express |
| Website | www.lakecountyin.org |
| |
Lake County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofIndiana. In 2020, its population was 498,700,[9] making it Indiana'ssecond-most populous county. Thecounty seat isCrown Point.[10] The county is part ofNorthwest Indiana and theChicago 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 theIndiana Dunes.[11][12] It includesMarktown,Clayton Mark's planned worker community in East Chicago.[13]
Originally inhabited by thePotawatomi, Lake County was established by European Americans on February 16, 1837.[2] From 1832 to 1836 the area that was to become Lake County was part ofLa Porte County.[14] From 1836 to 1837 it was part ofPorter County.[14] It was named for its location onLake Michigan.[15] The original county seat wasLiverpool, but in 1840 Lake Court House, later renamed as Crown Point, was chosen.[16]
Lake County's population grew slowly before the 1850s. Construction of railroads to linkChicago to the rest of the country stimulated rapid development, and tens of thousands of settlers and immigrants bought land in the region. Small-scale industrialization began, but was primarily relegated to the northern coast of the county, where it could take advantage of the railroads along the coast and shipping on the Great Lakes. The 1900 Census gives a population of 37,892 residents.
Inland Steel Company established a plant in East Chicago in 1903 andU.S. Steel founded one in Gary in 1906; with industrial jobs the demand for labor associated with industrial jobs, the county's population exploded. Immigrants poured into the area from all over Central and Eastern Europe (there was also a smaller Mexican immigrant community). In addition, both black and white migrants came from many regions of the United States, particularlyAppalachia and the South. Mostly rural blacks went north in theGreat Migration, seeking both industrial jobs and escape fromJim Crow violence and disenfranchisement in the South.
By 1930, Lake County's population surpassed 260,000, with first- and second-generation Americans constituting a majority of the population. The second wave of theKu Klux Klan gained a large following here in the 1920s, as it did for a time in the rest of Indiana. The KKK organized against the numerous European immigrants, who were mostly Catholic. While the steel industry reigned supreme, other industries also found the county to be an ideal location for cheap land and well-developed transportation networks, such as automobiles, oil, chemicals, consumer goods, food processing, and construction supply companies.[17]
TheGreat Depression was devastating to Lake County, as it was to other areas with economies based onheavy industry. The Depression, combined with industrial strife, changing demographics, and unionization, caused a realignment of politics in Lake County. It became a stronghold of theDemocratic Party; Lake County has supported the Democratic nominee for president in every election since 1932 (exceptions occurred in 1956 and 1972).Indiana's 1st congressional district has elected Democratic candidates in every election since 1930.
World War II restored prosperity, as industry revived to support the war effort. Good economic times continued into the 1970s. During this period, unions helped industrial workers gain middle-class wages. In addition to attracting refugees and immigrants from Europe,black Americans and Mexicans migrated here in the postwar period in even higher numbers than in the 1910-1930 period. As minority populations exploded in such industrial cities as East Chicago and Gary, racial tensions surfaced again. Following construction of state and federal highways, development of cheaper land provided newer housing to middle-class people who could afford it. Bothwhites and established black families moved out of the aging industrial cities.[17]
Lake County's population peaked at 546,000 in 1970. Severe industrial decline took place during the 1973-1991 period, brought on by foreign competition, new management philosophies that called for major workforce reductions, and productivity gains from technology. The decline was particularly intense in the steel industry: steel employment exceeded 60,000 in the 1960s, and declined progressively to just 18,000 by 2015. Lake County's population declined 13% to bottom out at 475,000 in 1990.
The industrial decline of the 1980s cast a long shadow over Lake County: the county did not regain the level of employment it had in 1980 until 1996, after which the employment level roughly flatlined. The county's economic output peaked in 1978, and has not since recovered, remaining 15-20% below the peak after adjusting for inflation. As prosperity declined, so did the immigration that powered the county's explosive population growth before 1950: per the 2000 census, only 5.3% of Lake County's residents were foreign-born, compared to over 11% for the United States as a whole.[18]
The population recovered somewhat during the 1990s and 2000s, as the local economy adjusted. Suburban growth has also been driven by commuter populations of workers who are employed in Chicago and commute via expressways or theSouth Shore Line. In 2007, it was estimated that 44,000 workers commuted from Lake County, Indiana, to Chicago for work.[18] The decline of industrial cities and growth of suburbs has been so sharp, that by 1990 a majority of the county's population lived outside of the four traditional industrial cities. Lake County still continues to struggle with urban decline and poverty, suburban sprawl and traffic jams, and a stagnating population.[17]
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. It is the second-largest county in total area in Indiana, but has the largest water area of all 92 counties.[19]
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),[7] is along theLake 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 theValparaiso Moraine. The highest point, at 801 feet (244 m),[6] 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 theKankakee Outwash Plain until theKankakee River is reached.
Thegeographic center of Lake County is approximately 200 feet (60 m) northwest of Burr Street and West 113th Avenue inCenter Township41°24′53.8″N87°24′14.3″W / 41.414944°N 87.403972°W /41.414944; -87.403972.
Interstate 65 in Lake County is called theCasimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Interstate 80/94/US 6 is theFrank 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 theGrand Army of the Republic Highway. Broadway (Indiana 53) is also theCarolyn Mosby Memorial Highway. Indiana 51 is known for its entire length as theAdam Benjamin Memorial Highway. US 30 is part of the historicLincoln Highway. US 12 from Gary eastward is part ofDunes Highway. Cline Avenue (Indiana 912) from US 12 north and westward is known as the Highway Construction Workers Memorial Highway.
I-65
I-80
I-90 Toll
I-94
US 6
US 12
US 20
US 30
US 41
US 231
SR 2
SR 51
SR 53
SR 55
SR 130 – formerUS 30
SR 312 – formerUS 12
SR 912 – formerUS 12
The municipalities in Lake County, and their populations as of the 2020 Census, are:
The 11 townships of Lake County, with their populations as of the 2020 Census, are:
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.[18]
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:[20]
The administration of public schools in Lake County is divided among 16 corporations and governing bodies,[21] more than any other Indiana county.[22]
Elementary and secondary schools operated by theDiocese of Gary:
Other parochial and private schools:
The county is served by seven different public library systems:
The Times, based in Munster, is the largest daily newspaper in Lake County and Northwest Indiana and the second largest in the state. Lake County is also served by thePost-Tribune, a daily newspaper based in Merrillville.
Lakeshore Public Television operatesWYIN-TV Gary onchannel 56 and is the localPBS station in the Chicago television market.
These eight broadcast radio stations serve Lake County and are part of the Chicago market:
| 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) |
| Mean daily maximum °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) |
| Mean daily minimum °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) |
| Averageprecipitation 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)[35] | |||||||||||||
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.[35] In winter,lake-effect snow increases snowfall totals compared to the areas to the west.[36] 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.[37] In summer, thunderstorms are common, occurring an average 40–50 days every year,[38] and on about 13 days, these thunderstorms produce severe winds.[39]
The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by theConstitution of Indiana, and by theIndiana Code.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[40][41]
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[40][41]
Court: The county maintains asmall claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state levelcircuit court.[41]
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, includingsheriff,coroner,auditor,treasurer,recorder,surveyor, and circuitcourt clerk Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declareparty affiliations and to be residents of the county.[41]
†President |
While the state of Indiana is strongly Republican, having voted Republican in every election since 1964 (except in 2008), Lake County has long been a Democratic stronghold due to being part of theChicago metropolitan area. It has given pluralities or majorities to Democrats in everypresidential election since1932 with the exceptions of1956 and1972. Like the rest of the Rust Belt, however, Lake County has recently trended Republican, with Donald Trump scoring the highest percentage of the vote since 1972 in the2024 presidential election.
Lake is part ofIndiana's 1st congressional district, which is held by DemocratFrank J. Mrvan.[43] In theState Senate, Lake is part of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th districts, which are held by three Democrats and one Republican. In theIndiana House of Representatives, Lake is part of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 19th districts, which are held by four Democrats and four Republicans.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,543 | 54.21% | 2,068 | 44.08% | 80 | 1.71% |
| 1892 | 2,958 | 48.02% | 3,010 | 48.86% | 192 | 3.12% |
| 1896 | 4,883 | 58.11% | 3,418 | 40.68% | 102 | 1.21% |
| 1900 | 5,337 | 58.00% | 3,733 | 40.57% | 131 | 1.42% |
| 1904 | 6,429 | 64.11% | 2,933 | 29.25% | 666 | 6.64% |
| 1908 | 9,499 | 60.97% | 5,502 | 35.32% | 578 | 3.71% |
| 1912 | 5,176 | 29.61% | 5,136 | 29.38% | 7,171 | 41.02% |
| 1916 | 13,262 | 55.00% | 9,946 | 41.25% | 903 | 3.75% |
| 1920 | 26,296 | 69.15% | 7,136 | 18.77% | 4,596 | 12.09% |
| 1924 | 30,990 | 64.61% | 10,918 | 22.76% | 6,060 | 12.63% |
| 1928 | 48,768 | 59.68% | 32,321 | 39.55% | 630 | 0.77% |
| 1932 | 42,596 | 46.56% | 46,060 | 50.34% | 2,836 | 3.10% |
| 1936 | 33,689 | 32.47% | 68,551 | 66.07% | 1,510 | 1.46% |
| 1940 | 45,898 | 38.79% | 71,985 | 60.83% | 447 | 0.38% |
| 1944 | 48,147 | 38.84% | 75,066 | 60.56% | 737 | 0.59% |
| 1948 | 51,413 | 38.77% | 77,025 | 58.09% | 4,157 | 3.14% |
| 1952 | 74,073 | 44.66% | 90,721 | 54.70% | 1,051 | 0.63% |
| 1956 | 92,803 | 52.00% | 85,000 | 47.63% | 657 | 0.37% |
| 1960 | 78,278 | 37.04% | 132,554 | 62.72% | 526 | 0.25% |
| 1964 | 73,722 | 35.19% | 134,978 | 64.42% | 823 | 0.39% |
| 1968 | 77,911 | 36.48% | 99,897 | 46.77% | 35,766 | 16.75% |
| 1972 | 115,480 | 56.24% | 88,510 | 43.10% | 1,352 | 0.66% |
| 1976 | 90,119 | 42.36% | 120,700 | 56.74% | 1,922 | 0.90% |
| 1980 | 95,408 | 46.02% | 101,145 | 48.78% | 10,786 | 5.20% |
| 1984 | 94,870 | 44.30% | 117,984 | 55.10% | 1,289 | 0.60% |
| 1988 | 79,929 | 43.03% | 105,026 | 56.55% | 780 | 0.42% |
| 1992 | 53,867 | 28.91% | 102,778 | 55.17% | 29,653 | 15.92% |
| 1996 | 47,873 | 29.22% | 100,198 | 61.15% | 15,789 | 9.64% |
| 2000 | 63,389 | 36.02% | 109,078 | 61.98% | 3,527 | 2.00% |
| 2004 | 71,903 | 38.24% | 114,743 | 61.03% | 1,376 | 0.73% |
| 2008 | 67,742 | 32.41% | 139,301 | 66.64% | 1,996 | 0.95% |
| 2012 | 68,431 | 33.85% | 130,897 | 64.75% | 2,819 | 1.39% |
| 2016 | 75,625 | 37.29% | 116,935 | 57.66% | 10,241 | 5.05% |
| 2020 | 91,760 | 41.65% | 124,870 | 56.67% | 3,700 | 1.68% |
| 2024 | 97,270 | 46.30% | 109,086 | 51.92% | 3,746 | 1.78% |
In the2008 Democratic presidential primary on May 6, 2008, Lake County was one of the last counties to report results.[45] Lake County had reported no results at 11 p.m.ET,[46] and at midnight ET, only 28% of Lake County's vote had been reported.[47] A large number of absentee ballots and a record turnout delayed the tallies, and polls closed an hour later than much of the state because Lake County is in theCentral Time Zone.[46] Early returns showed Senator Barack Obama leading by a potentially lead-changing margin, leaving the race between SenatorHillary Clinton and Obama "too close to call" until final tallies were reported.
Crime
The NWI Times reported that over 800 registered sex offenders live in Lake and Porter Counties of Indiana in 2021.[48]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 500,598 | [49] | 0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[50] 1790-1960[51] 1900-1990[52] 1990-2000[53] 2010-2019[9] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[54] | Pop 2010[55] | Pop 2020[56] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 293,457 | 274,162 | 251,106 | 60.56% | 55.27% | 50.35% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 121,372 | 125,506 | 121,048 | 25.05% | 25.30% | 24.27% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 854 | 913 | 691 | 0.18% | 0.18% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,862 | 5,981 | 7,334 | 0.80% | 1.21% | 1.47% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 106 | 63 | 95 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 450 | 463 | 1,682 | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.34% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 5,335 | 6,254 | 16,817 | 1.10% | 1.26% | 3.37% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 59,128 | 82,663 | 99,927 | 12.20% | 16.67% | 20.04% |
| Total | 484,564 | 496,005 | 498,700 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Racial / Ethnic Profile of places in Lake County, Indiana (2020 Census) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Following is a table of towns and census designated places in Lake County, Indiana. Data for the United States (with and without Puerto Rico), the state of Indiana, and Lake County itself have been included for comparison purposes. The majority racial/ethnic group is coded per the key below. Communities that extend into and adjacent county or counties are delineated with a‡ followed by an accompanying explanatory note. The full population of each community has been tabulated including the population in adjacent counties.
|
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 498,700. The median age was 39.5 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.3 males age 18 and over.[82][83]
The racial makeup of the county was 55.2%White, 24.9%Black or African American, 0.6%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 7.8% from some other race, and 10.1% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 20.0% of the population.[83]
95.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.5% lived in rural areas.[84]
There were 195,090 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.0% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[82]
There were 214,775 housing units, of which 9.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.1% were owner-occupied and 30.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.[82]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 496,005 people, 188,157 households, and 127,647 families residing in the county.[85] 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).[19] 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.[85] In terms of ancestry, 16.1% wereGerman, 11.1% wereIrish, 9.6% werePolish, 5.4% wereEnglish, 4.8% wereItalian and 3.7% wereAmerican.[86]
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.[85]
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 thepoverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[87]
| 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[note 1] | 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 |
{{cite web}}:Cite uses generic title (help){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Lake County, Indiana | |
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Municipalities and communities ofLake County, Indiana,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
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