City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

East Chicago, IN

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

26,158
Residents
$41,071
Median income
$92,400
Median home
$1,317
Median rent (state)

East Chicago - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, East Chicago lands in the 9th percentile for household income and the 24th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
24th
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: East Chicago, IN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 26,158 residents in East Chicago, a small city within Indiana. The typical household in East Chicago brings in $41,071 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.9%. Home values in East Chicago run a median of $92,400, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. Educational attainment runs 9.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 51.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 3 residential building permits were authorized in East Chicago (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2416.0 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: the state registers 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,317 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Indiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 95.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

26,158 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$41,071 /yr

Poverty 23.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does East Chicago compare to other US cities?

Where East Chicago sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 24% 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, East Chicago ranks #90 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

Each percentile compares East Chicago against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Indiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Indiana-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is East Chicago's strongest outlier among Indiana cities

Among the 849 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, East Chicago ranks #64 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares East Chicago only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#720 of 766
6th percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#118 of 850
81st percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#633 of 771
18th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#64 of 849
92nd percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#595 of 850
30th percentile in Indiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

9thIncome percentile
24thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 24th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

East Chicago's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

East Chicago'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
East Chicago'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 East Chicago's home value compares nationally

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

$92,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $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. East Chicago $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 - East Chicago, IN East Chicago, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not East Chicago, 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 East Chicago, IN median $41,071/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%
East Chicago, 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 East Chicago, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.5%

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

Population
26,158
Median Income
$41,071
Median Home Value
$92,400
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
23.9%
Labor force participation
51.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2416.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
826.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1589.9
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
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,500 residents26,000 residents26,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 26,346 residents 25,610 residents ▼ -2.8%
East Chicago's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 28
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 3

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.7%
Carpool
16.3%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
3.9%
Other
1.1%

Based on 10,244 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 East Chicago 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

Franklin
25,999 people
Marion
27,384 people
Greenfield
24,308 people
Highland
23,749 people
Munster
23,733 people
Schererville
29,627 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to East Chicago's 26,158 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ives Estates, FL
26,154 people
Austin, MN
26,167 people
Windsor, CA
26,179 people
Trussville, AL
26,182 people
Elkridge, MD
26,183 people
Fairland, MD
26,183 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to East Chicago's $41,071 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rake, IA
$41,071 median income
Questa, NM
$41,071 median income
Vinton, LA
$41,063 median income
East Newnan, GA
$41,080 median income
Mangham, LA
$41,058 median income
Jennings, MI
$41,055 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - East Chicago, 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 East Chicago, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 16.1% 37.4% 35.3% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 56.5% White 16.1% Black or African American 37.4% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 35.3% Two or more races 10.8% 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 East Chicago 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
East Chicago (this city) 26,158 $41,071
Franklin 25,999 $77,305
Marion 27,384 $43,349
Greenfield 24,308 $74,949
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about East Chicago, IN?

What is the population of East Chicago, IN? +

26,158 people live in East Chicago, IN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in East Chicago, IN? +

Median annual household income in East Chicago runs $41,071, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in East Chicago? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for East Chicago; 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 East Chicago, IN safe? +

East Chicago has a total crime rate of 2416.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 East Chicago, IN? +

East Chicago's median home value sits at $92,400, 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

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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.