Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
5-14 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
30%
Over 65
15%
East Chicago
East Chicago, IN Area Guide
Avg Rent
$520
Population
25,184
Renter Mix
62% Rent
Enjoy historic roots and access to Chicago’s Loop in northwestern Indiana
Suburban
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Lakeside
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Riverside
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Affordable
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Diverse
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Historic
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Convenient
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Welcoming
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Quaint
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Accessible
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Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana, East Chicago is a historic city in Lake County. Incorporated in 1893 as a railroad and steel town, East Chicago hosts plenty of industrial facilities to this day, including refineries, coal plants, and gas storage tanks. Heritage and tradition remain a focal point in East Chicago, with the Marktown Historic District and Indiana Harbor Public Library promoting the city’s rich past.
Recreational options are plentiful in and near East Chicago, with convenient access to Lake Michigan, the Grand Calumet River, and numerous parks in town. Horseshoe Hammond, Lost Marsh Golf Course, and Wolf Lake Memorial Park are just minutes from East Chicago as well. Located about 23 miles southeast of Chicago’s Loop, East Chicago also offers residents quick access to an abundance of metropolitan amenities. Getting around from East Chicago is easy with convenience to I-90, U.S. 20, the South Shore Line, and Gary Chicago International Airport.
Explore the City
Nunez Park Has Plenty of Green Space, a Basketball Court and a Playground For the Kids in Indiana Harbor Neighborhood
East Chicago homeowners like to decorate for the holidays.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$37,832
Average: $51,889
Education
2,611
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
9,763
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
East Chicago has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
62%
Non-Renters
38%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
6%
Other Education
94%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in East Chicago, IN is $489 for a studio, $520 for one bedroom, $723 for two bedrooms, and $827 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in East Chicago has increased by 1.9% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$520/month
354 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly East Chicago, IN is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy
Public
Grades K-8
423 Students
Public
Grades K-8
473 Students
George Washington Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
462 Students
Benjamin Harrison Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
396 Students
William Mckinley Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
488 Students
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy
Public
Grades K-8
423 Students
Public
Grades K-8
473 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
487 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
356 Students
Carrie Gosch Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-7
265 Students
East Chicago Central High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,079 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Powderhorn Lake
- Eggers Grove
- William W. Powers State Recreation Area
- Rowan Park
- Green Lake Woods
Airports
- Chicago Midway International
- Chicago O'Hare International
Top Apartments in East Chicago
Houses for Rent in East Chicago
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.