Whiting, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whiting, Indiana had a total population of 4,532, the 141st largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $71,708, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Whiting Quick Facts
How Whiting 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 | 4,554 | 4,532 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $65,433 | $71,708 | +9.6% |
| Median home value | $204,800 | $198,900 | -2.9% |
How Whiting 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+)
Whiting 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 Whiting
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremen | 4,642 | $68,429 | $211,700 | 21.1% | 25.5% |
| DeMotte | 4,234 | $69,868 | $234,800 | 26.3% | 8.4% |
| Simonton Lake | 4,248 | $75,673 | $266,800 | 20.5% | 11.5% |
| Edinburgh | 4,381 | $60,843 | $154,500 | 10.8% | 11.3% |
| Ligonier | 4,347 | $59,359 | $110,000 | 11.5% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Whiting is a small community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 4,532. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whiting is 33.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whiting is $71,708. This is about the same as the state median of $71,957. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 11.3%. This is 164% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $198,900. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Whiting is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Whiting is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.8%) is well below the state average of 75.4%. The Black or African American population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.3% vs 8.6%).
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 79.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whiting, 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 Whiting, Indiana?
Whiting, Indiana has a population of 4,532 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whiting, IN?
The median household income in Whiting is $71,708, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whiting, IN?
The poverty rate in Whiting is 17.1%. This means approximately 775 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whiting, Indiana?
Whiting's population is 29.8% White, 3.4% Black, 65.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whiting, IN?
The median home value in Whiting is $198,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Whiting, Indiana?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Whiting hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.