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CITY

East Chicago

Indiana · 25,610 residents (2025 est.) · 14.11 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#118Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-11.2%
The short version

East Chicago has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,125. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 6,392 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $105,400. The poverty rate of 26.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 18%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,022
−20%since 2000
from 32,414 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,844 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 2,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.5
+19%since 2000
from 30.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:25,610 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K30K32K35K1990201020202024East Chicago
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,125
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,538 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,656
+75%since 2000
from $13,517 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.3%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.497
+6%since 2010
from 0.470 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$105,400
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$854
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
42.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 44.6% in 2000
57.1% rent
Vacancy rate
19.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.1%
−13.1 ptssince 2009
from 36.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.7%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
−6%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in East Chicago on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic12.1%(3,922)
Black35.2%(11,405)
Hispanic / Latino51.6%(16,728)
Asian0.2%(52)
Other0%
Diversity Score73.4%(23,802)
2024
White, non-Hispanic6.1%(1,576)
Black36.1%(9,386)
Hispanic / Latino57.2%(14,888)
Asian0%(1)
Other0.7%(171)
Diversity Score67.4%(17,528)
Diversity Score
67
−8%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
73.8%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+34%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.8%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
16.7%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.7%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 13.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2011
from 54.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.8%
−37.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
16.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.2%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 14.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.9%
−67.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.5%
+25.8 ptssince 2017
from 52.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
58.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 57.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
40.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 41.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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EAST CHICAGO VS
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EAST CHICAGO VS
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EAST CHICAGO VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in East Chicago, Indiana?

East Chicago, Indiana has about 26,022 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in East Chicago, Indiana?

The typical household in East Chicago, Indiana earns about $42,125 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is East Chicago, Indiana expensive?

In East Chicago, Indiana, the median home is worth about $105,400, and the typical rent is about $854 a month.

How educated are people in East Chicago, Indiana?

About 10.7% of adults age 25 and over in East Chicago, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in East Chicago, Indiana?

About 26.3% of people in East Chicago, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has East Chicago, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, East Chicago, Indiana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,870 residents, a change of about -23 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 →