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East Chicago, IN

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East Chicago, IN

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Demographics

Majority HispanicSimpson's Diversity Index: 54
Population26,158
Foreign Born10.8%
Population Density1,854people per mi²
Median Age36.5 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

55/100

45% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in East Chicago, Indiana

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $13k$25k
Comfortable $22k$32k
Luxury $74k+$115k+
Elite (Top 5%) $99k+$153k+
Affordability Ratio

127%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean87%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
11
Positive
40
Poor
5
Negative
3

Groceries

6 within 10 miles

2.9mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.6mi

Hospital

20 within 20 miles

0.9mi

Airport

MDW — Midway International

18.1mi

Post Office

USPS — East Chicago, IN

0.5mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf6Nearest 1.6 mi
Camping11Nearest 8.7 mi
Marina12Nearest 1 mi
Winery0Nearest 14 mi
Ice Rink1Nearest 3.4 mi
Gun Range1Nearest 9.5 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
F
Distressed

A low-income area with significant economic hardship. Household wealth and educational attainment are well below national averages.

Median HHI
$41k+4.2%
45% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$189k
71% below US avg
College Educated
9.9%
72% below US avg
WFH
3.9%
73% below US avg
Homeownership
44.1%
33% below US avg
Median Home
$92k
67% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 71% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
5.5
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−82.7%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−81.8%
Homicide
0.04 / 1k Residents8% above state avg
Robbery
0.08 / 1k Residents66% below state avg
Aggravated Assault
1.64 / 1k Residents7% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr−83.6%
Burglary
0.51 / 1k Residents57% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
2.42 / 1k Residents65% below state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.70 / 1k Residents45% below state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+1Tilts Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for East Chicago, Indiana
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B-
Fair9.3% of income
Property Rights
B
GoodIJ Grade B
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Importer (35% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
F
ProhibitedIllegal

Homesteading

Growing Season199 days253 frost-free
Annual Rainfall47.9"
Elevation587 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D+
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor18 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak1,854/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A-
Good8 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Cold Wave, Tornado, Earthquake, Heat Wave
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 275 mi · coast 664 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$191.0M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T08:55:24.000Z

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