County · Indiana
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County, Indiana. Lake County had 504,612 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). It holds 35 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 132 census tracts. GEOID 18089.
Lake County is one of the 13 counties of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
504,612
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 498,700 · ACS 2020-2024: 500,379
Median household income
$71,493
±$1,419 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$230,600
±$2,947 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,131
±$16 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
How many people live in Lake County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 498,700 residents in Lake County. The Census Bureau estimates 504,612 for July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 500,379 over 499 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lake County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 500,379 | 6,851,073 | +14,672 |
| Households | 195,130±954 | 2,716,009 | +8,399 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.01 | 2.46 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 217,436±112 | 2,976,568 | +4,537 |
Lake County's population since 2000
From 484,564 in 2000 to 504,612 in 2025: up 4.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lake County?
Lake County holds 35 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is North Township, Lake County with 152,714 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| North Township, Lake County | 156,686 | $61,798 |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet Township | 91,970 | $46,882 |
| Hammond | 77,879 | $55,504 |
| Gary | 69,093 | $38,731 |
| St. John Township | 68,972 | $103,035 |
| Ross Township, Lake County | 48,529 | $72,416 |
| Hobart Township | 40,652 | $70,273 |
| Center Township, Lake County | 38,630 | $102,336 |
| Merrillville | 36,444 | $67,587 |
| Crown Point | 33,899 | $101,686 |
| Hobart | 29,752 | $75,160 |
| Schererville | 29,646 | $89,466 |
| East Chicago | 26,370 | $42,125 |
| Highland, Lake County | 23,984 | $78,062 |
| Munster | 23,894 | $110,187 |
| St. John | 20,303 | $131,467 |
| Hanover Township, Lake County | 18,214 | $102,823 |
| Griffith | 16,528 | $76,636 |
| Dyer | 16,517 | $107,159 |
| Cedar Lake | 14,106 | $83,381 |
| Lake Station | 13,235 | $59,591 |
| Winfield Township | 12,927 | $133,448 |
| Cedar Creek Township, Lake County | 12,725 | $86,780 |
| Lowell | 10,680 | $84,024 |
| West Creek Township | 7,676 | $87,346 |
| Winfield | 7,181 | $135,870 |
| Ross | – | $54,563 |
| Whiting | 4,559 | $71,708 |
| Lakes of the Four Seasons | 7,091 | $121,750 |
| New Chicago | 1,999 | $57,313 |
| Eagle Creek Township | 1,719 | $99,663 |
| Lake DalecarliaGEOID 1841058 | 1,332 | $118,472 |
| ShelbyGEOID 1869246 | 453 | $32,180 |
| SchneiderGEOID 1868238 | 269 | $63,182 |
| LeroyGEOID 1842930 | – | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lake County?
The median resident of Lake County is 39.7 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 22.7%. 7.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lake County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7±0.3 | 38.1 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.2%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.9% | 8.6% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.4%±0.2 pts | 75.4% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.7%±0.2 pts | 9.1% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.3%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.1%±0.5 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±0.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±0.5 pts | 14.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±0.4 pts | 7.4% | −1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±0.4 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.8%±0.7 pts | 29.5% | +3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±0.3 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lake County earn?
Half of Lake County's 195,130 households earn less than $71,493 a year (±$1,419), against $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,076 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,417 after inflation. 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lake County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,493±$1,419 | $71,957 | +$2,417 |
| Mean household income | $93,636±$1,649 | $95,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,284±$613 | $38,351 | +$1,689 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.3%±0.7 pts | 12.3% | −1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.6%±1.7 pts | 16.0% | −3.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.9%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±0.6 pts | 89.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lake County?
Owners occupy 71.7% of Lake County's occupied homes and renters 28.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $230,600 by its owner (±$2,947). The median renter pays $1,131 a month including utilities, and 44.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lake County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $230,600±$2,947 | $218,200 | +$46,611 |
| Median gross rent | $1,131±$16 | $1,062 | +$41 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.8%±1.7 pts | 38.9% | +4.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,529±$23 | $1,404 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.7%±0.8 pts | 70.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Housing units | 217,436±112 | 2,976,568 | +4,537 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1%±0.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.3%±0.7 pts | 72.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.6%±0.6 pts | 16.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lake County building?
Builders took permits for 1,262 new housing units across Lake County in 2025 (1,262 single-family), 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lake County get to work?
79.6% of Lake County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | Lake County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.1%±0.6 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | −0.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.6%±0.8 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±0.5 pts | 10.7% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±0.5 | 24.1 min | −0.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Lake County's census tracts?
Lake County is divided into 132 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $12,674 (Tract 301) to $167,083 (Tract 404.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lake County compare with Indiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 92 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 46th of 92 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 92 |
| Median household income | 34th of 92 |
| Median home value | 17th of 92 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 92 |
| Poverty rate | 21st of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 92 |
| Median age | 66th of 92 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lake County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.