City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Cedar Lake, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cedar Lake - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

14,686
Residents
$79,177
Median income
$259,900
Median home
$1,317
Median rent (state)

Cedar Lake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Cedar Lake places in the 61st percentile for household income and the 92nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

61st
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
92nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cedar Lake, IN

14,686 people live in Cedar Lake, Indiana - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Cedar Lake brings in $79,177 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.1%. Cedar Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $259,900, and the median resident age is 40.3 years. About 24.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 188 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Cedar Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 328.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Indiana at 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,317 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

14,686 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$79,177 /yr

Poverty 2.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Cedar Lake compare to other US cities?

Cedar Lake measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 92% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Indiana alone, Cedar Lake ranks #14 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Cedar Lake's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Indiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

61stIncome percentile
92ndSafety percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income · 92nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cedar Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cedar Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Cedar Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cedar Lake's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$259,900 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cedar Lake $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cedar Lake, IN Cedar Lake, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cedar Lake, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cedar Lake, IN median $79,177/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cedar Lake, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cedar Lake, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
14,686
Median Income
$79,177
Median Home Value
$259,900
Median Age
40.3
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Labor force participation
62.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
328.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
65.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
262.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,000 residents14,000 residents15,000 residents16,000 residents17,000 residents18,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,204 residents 16,789 residents ▲ +18.2%
Cedar Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
188
housing units authorized
Single-Family
188
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 188
2020 279
2021 394
2022 243
2023 152
2024 188

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.2%
Carpool
5.6%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
4.4%
Other
3.6%

Based on 7,062 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cedar Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,317/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Chesterton
14,326 people
Beech Grove
15,082 people
New Haven
15,339 people
Frankfort
15,536 people
Bedford
13,824 people
Speedway
13,622 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cedar Lake's 14,686 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Alexander City, AL
14,686 people
Glens Falls, NY
14,678 people
Broadlands, VA
14,673 people
Sterling, IL
14,670 people
Lockhart, TX
14,708 people
Lakeland North, WA
14,664 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cedar Lake's $79,177 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Chickamauga, GA
$79,176 median income
Wesley, AR
$79,179 median income
Montpelier, VT
$79,175 median income
Red Rock CDP (Pinal County), AZ
$79,167 median income
Logan, IA
$79,167 median income
Taylor, MS
$79,167 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cedar Lake, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cedar Lake, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.1% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.2% White 91.1% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 7.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cedar Lake compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cedar Lake (this city) 14,686 $79,177
Chesterton 14,326 $88,536
Beech Grove 15,082 $49,452
New Haven 15,339 $67,121
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cedar Lake, IN?

What is the population of Cedar Lake, IN? +

The population of Cedar Lake, IN stands at 14,686 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cedar Lake, IN? +

Cedar Lake households earn a median of $79,177 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cedar Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cedar Lake; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Cedar Lake, IN safe? +

Cedar Lake has a total crime rate of 328.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cedar Lake, IN? +

Homes in Cedar Lake carry a median value of $259,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.