Lake Station, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Station, Indiana had a total population of 13,185, the 68th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $59,591, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.3% is notably above the national average.
Lake Station Quick Facts
How Lake Station 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 | 13,109 | 13,185 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $56,306 | $59,591 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $124,800 | $137,400 | +10.1% |
How Lake Station 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+)
Lake Station 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 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | 26.3% | $105,400 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Lake Station
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedway | 13,968 | $60,147 | $228,600 | 34.3% | 17.5% |
| Madison | 12,223 | $61,183 | $203,100 | 23.8% | 14.9% |
| Auburn | 13,565 | $68,750 | $190,800 | 23.4% | 9.8% |
| Greensburg | 12,229 | $62,655 | $191,400 | 19.8% | 13.8% |
| Martinsville | 11,933 | $60,177 | $163,400 | 12.6% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Lake Station is a small city located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 13,185. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Station is 33.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Station is $59,591. This is 17% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.4%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 16.3%. This is 282% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $137,400. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lake Station is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Station is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.8%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.8% vs 8.6%).
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Station, 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 Lake Station, Indiana?
Lake Station, Indiana has a population of 13,185 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Station, IN?
The median household income in Lake Station is $59,591, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Station, IN?
The poverty rate in Lake Station is 15.4%. This means approximately 1,971 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Station, Indiana?
Lake Station's population is 59.1% White, 2.5% Black, 32.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Station, IN?
The median home value in Lake Station is $137,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Lake Station, Indiana?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Lake Station hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.