New Chicago, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Chicago, Indiana had a total population of 2,225, the 213th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $57,313, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
New Chicago Quick Facts
How New 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 | 2,348 | 2,225 | -5.2% |
| Median household income | $54,700 | $57,313 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $118,900 | $134,100 | +12.8% |
How New 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New 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 |
| 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 New Chicago
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown | 2,235 | $56,008 | $96,200 | 14.1% | 12.7% |
| Orleans | 2,235 | $65,330 | $117,500 | 11.0% | 13.9% |
| Knightstown | 2,241 | $49,792 | $130,000 | 16.5% | 22.0% |
| Greentown | 2,094 | $60,521 | $123,400 | 19.6% | 7.0% |
| Fowler | 2,360 | $53,576 | $111,800 | 16.7% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
New Chicago is a small community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 2,225. It ranks as the 213th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Chicago is 32.4 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Chicago is $57,313. This is 20% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, New Chicago is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Chicago is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 43.5%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (43.5% vs 8.6%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New 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.
Free data download: Get all Indiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of New Chicago, Indiana?
New Chicago, Indiana has a population of 2,225 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Chicago, IN?
The median household income in New Chicago is $57,313, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Chicago, IN?
The poverty rate in New Chicago is 16.7%. This means approximately 370 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Chicago, Indiana?
New Chicago's population is 48.2% White, 1.8% Black, 43.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Chicago, IN?
The median home value in New Chicago is $134,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is New Chicago, Indiana?
13.4% of adults (25+) in New Chicago hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.