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CITY · 2020 ACS

East Chicago

Indiana · 26,370 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 $35,396. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 6,044 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $73,100. At a median age of 33.1, 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,370
−19%since 2000
from 32,414 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,869 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 2,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.1
+7%since 2000
from 30.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K30K32K35K1990201020202024East Chicago
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,396
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,538 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,127
+42%since 2000
from $13,517 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
18.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
30.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 24.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.9%
US avg: 10%
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$73,100
−31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$658
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
40.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 44.6% in 2000
59.8% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−22%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic6.1%(1,600)
Black39.3%(10,375)
Hispanic / Latino52.6%(13,864)
Asian0.2%(57)
Other0.5%(130)
Diversity Score69.2%(18,245)
Diversity Score
69
−6%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
73.5%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.1 min
+55%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
20.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 13.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 54.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
21.2%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
15.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.9%
−68.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to East Chicago

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Pop 26,361
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Head to head

Compare East Chicago to nearby cities

EAST CHICAGO VS
Hammond
Income$55,504+57%
Home value$159,900+119%
Population75,712+196%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Calumet City
Income$55,369+56%
Home value$145,200+99%
Population34,798+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Gary
Income$38,731+9%
Home value$94,700+30%
Population67,289+163%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST CHICAGO VS
Highland
Income$78,062+121%
Home value$233,300+219%
Population23,409−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Chicago, Indiana?

East Chicago, Indiana has about 26,370 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in East Chicago, Indiana earns about $35,396 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 $73,100, and the typical rent is about $658 a month.

How educated are people in East Chicago, Indiana?

About 10.1% 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 30.6% 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 7,522 residents, a change of about -22 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 →