East Chicago city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

East Chicago city is a mid-sized community located in Indiana. The total population is 26,158. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in East Chicago city is 36.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in East Chicago city is $41,071. This is 41% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $92,400. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, East Chicago city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 70.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in East Chicago city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 76.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.4% vs 9.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (56.5% vs 8.4%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for East Chicago city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.