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CITY

Chesterton

Indiana · 14,635 residents (2025 est.) · 9.407 sq mi
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The short version

Chesterton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $91,060. Population has grown 38% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $300,900. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 27% more than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,446
+38%since 2000
from 10,488 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,536 / sq mi
+38%since 2000
from 1,115 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.4
+5%since 2000
from 36.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:14,635 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K12K13K15K1990201020202024Chesterton
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$91,060
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,530 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$50,086
+89%since 2000
from $26,539 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.7%
+22.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.3%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.449
+12%since 2010
from 0.402 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services12.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Information10.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$300,900
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $132,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,274
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $679 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 68.9% in 2000
24.9% rent
Vacancy rate
5.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.8%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
+38%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chesterton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.7%(9,831)
Black0.4%(44)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(347)
Asian1.4%(143)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.4%(1,299)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(12,447)
Black1.7%(242)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(902)
Asian1.9%(272)
Other4%(583)
Diversity Score31.4%(4,540)
Diversity Score
31
+154%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.5%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 29.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 92.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.6 min
+47%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.4%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 84.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
20.3%
+16.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 68.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.3%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.5%
−13.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
49.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2012
from 8.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.7%
−88.4 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2017
from 83.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 92.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2016
from 4.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chesterton

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Pop 14,521
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North Palm Beach
Pop 13,319
Places similar to Chesterton
Head to head

Compare Chesterton to nearby cities

CHESTERTON VS
Portage
Income$76,276−16%
Home value$224,200−25%
Population38,634+164%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTERTON VS
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Income$69,872−23%
Home value$267,300−11%
Population35,177+140%
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CHESTERTON VS
Lake Station
Income$59,591−35%
Home value$137,400−54%
Population12,977−11%
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CHESTERTON VS
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Income$53,089−42%
Home value$143,100−52%
Population31,338+114%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chesterton, Indiana?

Chesterton, Indiana has about 14,446 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chesterton, Indiana?

The typical household in Chesterton, Indiana earns about $91,060 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chesterton, Indiana expensive?

In Chesterton, Indiana, the median home is worth about $300,900, and the typical rent is about $1,274 a month.

How educated are people in Chesterton, Indiana?

About 42.5% of adults age 25 and over in Chesterton, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chesterton, Indiana?

About 9.3% of people in Chesterton, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chesterton, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Chesterton, Indiana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,322 residents, a change of about 58 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →