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CITY · 2010 ACS

East Chicago

Indiana · 29,698 residents · 14.11 sq mi
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The short version

East Chicago has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $28,999. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $89,100. At a median age of 30.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 39% less than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 30.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,698
−8%since 2000
from 32,414 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,105 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 2,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
30.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 30.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K30K32K35K1990201020202024East Chicago
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,999
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,538 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,850
+2%since 2000
from $13,517 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
16.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
33.1%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 24.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.470
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade13.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance9.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical7.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,100
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$655
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
25.2%
−19.4 ptssince 2000
from 44.6% in 2000
58.5% rent
Vacancy rate
23.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 36.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.1
+16%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic7.2%(2,140)
Black40.8%(12,125)
Hispanic / Latino50.9%(15,105)
Asian0.1%(28)
Other0.6%(169)
Diversity Score70.7%(20,995)
Diversity Score
71
−4%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
70.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
2.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+41%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
4.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
20.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
17.6%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
54.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
15.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.6%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to East Chicago

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Pop 27,808
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Pop 23,822
South Bradenton
Pop 25,990
Immokalee
Pop 26,361
Places similar to East Chicago
Head to head

Compare East Chicago to nearby cities

EAST CHICAGO VS
Hammond
Income$55,504+91%
Home value$159,900+79%
Population75,712+196%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Calumet City
Income$55,369+91%
Home value$145,200+63%
Population34,798+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Gary
Income$38,731+34%
Home value$94,700+6%
Population67,289+163%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Highland
Income$78,062+169%
Home value$233,300+162%
Population23,409−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Chicago, Indiana?

East Chicago, Indiana has about 29,698 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in East Chicago, Indiana earns about $28,999 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 $89,100, and the typical rent is about $655 a month.

How educated are people in East Chicago, Indiana?

About 8.6% 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 33.1% 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 4,194 residents, a change of about -12 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 →