East Chicago, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Chicago, Indiana had a total population of 26,022, the 40th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $42,125, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
East Chicago Quick Facts
How East Chicago Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,158 | 26,022 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $41,071 | $42,125 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $92,400 | $105,400 | +14.1% |
How East Chicago Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Chicago Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | 19.1% | $159,900 |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | 33.1% | $94,700 |
| Merrillville | 36,476 | $67,587 | 12.6% | $211,400 |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | 6.9% | $294,800 |
| Schererville | 29,701 | $89,466 | 7.7% | $314,900 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | 6.0% | $334,300 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | 11.6% | $233,300 |
| St. John | 22,567 | $131,467 | 2.1% | $406,300 |
| Dyer | 16,400 | $107,159 | 6.2% | $322,200 |
Cities Similar to East Chicago
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 27,531 | $43,343 | $85,300 | 16.9% | 29.6% |
| Michigan City | 31,814 | $53,089 | $143,100 | 20.3% | 19.8% |
| La Porte | 22,449 | $59,307 | $157,500 | 20.1% | 16.4% |
| Greenfield | 24,940 | $76,127 | $216,400 | 26.3% | 5.3% |
| Franklin | 26,168 | $82,380 | $231,500 | 27.8% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
East Chicago is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 26,022. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Chicago is 36.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Chicago is $42,125. This is 41% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 113% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 7.7%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $105,400. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, East Chicago is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Chicago is Hispanic or Latino, making up 57.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 75.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.1% vs 9.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (57.2% vs 8.6%).
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Chicago, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Chicago, Indiana?
East Chicago, Indiana has a population of 26,022 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Chicago, IN?
The median household income in East Chicago is $42,125, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Chicago, IN?
The poverty rate in East Chicago is 26.3%. This means approximately 6,803 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Chicago, Indiana?
East Chicago's population is 6.1% White, 36.1% Black, 57.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Chicago, IN?
The median home value in East Chicago is $105,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is East Chicago, Indiana?
10.7% of adults (25+) in East Chicago hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.