View source for Lake County, Indiana

{{Short description|County in Indiana, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Lake County, Illinois}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Lake County, Indiana
| native_name              = 
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = [[County (United States)|County]]
| image_skyline            = File:Main Entrance 14-09-06 041.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Former [[Lake County Courthouse (Indiana)|Lake County Courthouse]]<br />in Crown Point, Indiana
| image_flag               = 
| flagsize                 = 
| image_seal               = Lake County in seal.jpg
| seal_size                = 75px
| image_map                = Map of Indiana highlighting Lake County.svg
| mapsize                  = 130px
| map_caption              = Location in the state of [[Indiana]]
| image_map1               = Map of USA IN.svg
| mapsize1                 = 200px
| map_caption1             = Indiana's location in the [[United States|U.S.]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|41|25|N|87|22|W|region:US-IN_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2        = Region
| subdivision_name2        = [[Northwest Indiana]]
| subdivision_type3        = Metro area
| subdivision_name3        = [[Chicago metropolitan area|Chicago Metropolitan]]
| established_title        = Settled
| established_date         = October 1834<ref name="settled">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.cpcourthouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3
 |title       = Lake County History
 |access-date  = June 1, 2014
 |publisher   = Lake County Historical Museum
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195843/http://www.cpcourthouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3
 |archive-date = June 2, 2014
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
| established_title1       = Established
| established_date1        = February 16, 1837<ref name=estdate>{{Cite book|author=William Frederick Howat|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company |year=1915 |location=Chicago|title=A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkPWAAAAMAAJ&q=editions%3Artn_UNMRTgQC&pg=PA100 |page=100}}</ref>
| named_for                = [[Lake Michigan]]
| seat_type                = [[County seat]]
| seat                     = [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]]
| seat1_type               = Largest city
| seat1                    = [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] (population)<br />[[Gary, Indiana|Gary]] (total area)
| parts_type               = Incorporated<br />municipalities
| parts                    = 19 cities and towns
| parts_style              = coll
| p1                       = [[Cedar Lake, Indiana|Cedar Lake]] (town)
| p2                       = [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]] (city)
| p3                       = [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]] (town)
| p4                       = [[East Chicago, Indiana|East Chicago]] (city)
| p5                       = [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]] (city)
| p6                       = [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]] (town)
| p7                       = [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] (city)
| p8                       = [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Highland]] (town)
| p9                       = [[Hobart, Indiana|Hobart]] (city)
| p10                      = [[Lake Station, Indiana|Lake Station]] (city)
| p11                      = [[Lowell, Indiana|Lowell]] (town)
| p12                      = [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]] (town)
| p13                      = [[Munster, Indiana|Munster]] (town)
| p14                      = [[New Chicago, Indiana|New Chicago]] (town)
| p15                      = [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]] (town)
| p16                      = [[Schneider, Indiana|Schneider]] (town)
| p17                      = [[St. John, Indiana|St. John]] (town)
| p18                      = [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]] (city)
| p19                      = [[Winfield, Indiana|Winfield]] (town)
| government_footnotes     = <ref name="officials">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.lakecountyin.org/portal/media-type/html/group/voters/page/default.psml/js_pane/P-13b9cba7c46-107f1
 |title       = 2016 Public Officials Directory
 |publisher   = Lake County Board of Elections and Voter's Registration
 |access-date  = October 11, 2016
 |url-status  = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140608205959/https://www.lakecountyin.org/portal/media-type/html/group/voters/page/default.psml/js_pane/P-13b9cba7c46-107f1
 |archive-date = June 8, 2014
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
| government_type          = [[County commission|County]]
| governing_body           = Board of Commissioners
| leader_party             = 
| leader_title             = Commissioner
| leader_name              = Kyle W. Allen, Sr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 1st)
| leader_title1            = Commissioner
| leader_name1             = Jerry J. Tippy ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2nd)
| leader_title2            = Commissioner
| leader_name2             = Michael C. Repay ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 3rd)
| leader_title3            = [[Council|County Council]]
| leader_name3             = {{Collapsible list
| title = Members
| frame_style = border:none; padding:0;
| list_style  = text-align:left;
| 1 = David Hamm ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 1st)
| 2 = Clorius Lay ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 2nd)
| 3 = [[Charlie Brown (Indiana politician)|Charlie Brown]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 3rd)
| 4 = Pete Lindemulder ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 4th)
| 5 = Christine Cid ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 5th)
| 6 = Ted F. Bilski ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 6th)
| 7 = Randy Niemeyer ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 7th)}}
| unit_pref                = US
| area_total_sq_mi         = 626.5
| area_land_sq_mi          = 498.9
| area_water_sq_mi         = 127.6
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 10874
| area_rank                = [[List of counties in Indiana|12th]] largest county in Indiana
| area_blank1_title        = Region
| area_blank1_sq_mi        = 2726
| dimensions_footnotes     = <ref name="ball">Timothy Horton Ball (1873). ''Lake County, Indiana, from 1834 to 1872''. Chicago: J.W. Goodspeed. p. 5.</ref>
| length_mi                = 36
| width_mi                 = 16
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="gnis">{{Cite GNIS|450495|Lake County}}</ref> ''(mean)''
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 663
| elevation_max_footnotes  = <ref name="elevhigh">{{Cite map |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|title=Palmer Quadrangle – Indiana – Lake Co. |year=2013 |scale=1:24,000 |series=7.5-Minute Series (Topographic)}}</ref>''—NE Winfield Twp''
| elevation_min_footnotes  = <ref name="elevlow">{{Cite map |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|title=Whiting Quadrangle – Indiana – Lake Co. |year=2013 |scale=1:24,000 |series=7.5-Minute Series (Topographic)}}</ref>''—at Lake Michigan''
| elevation_max_m          = 
| elevation_max_ft         = 801
| elevation_min_m          = 
| elevation_min_ft         = 585
| population_total         = 498700
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|'''2020''']]
| pop_est_as_of            = 2023
| population_est           = 500598 {{increase}}
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_metro         = 9522434
| population_rank          = [[List of counties in Indiana|2nd]] largest county in Indiana 131st largest county in U.S.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/us_profile_frame.html
 |title       = USA Counties in Profile
 |access-date  = June 16, 2014
 |publisher   = STATS Indiana
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120730012603/http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/us_profile_frame.html
 |archive-date = July 30, 2012
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
| population_blank1_title  = Region
| population_blank1        = 819537
| timezone                 = [[Central Standard Time|Central]]
| utc_offset               = −6
| timezone_DST             = [[Central Daylight Time|Central]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −5
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 46303, 46307–08, 46311–12, 46319–25, 46327, 46341–42, 46355–56, 46373, 46375–77, 46394, 46401–11
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code                = [[Area code 219|219]]
| geocode                  = 
| iso_code                 = 
| blank_name_sec1          = Congressional district
| blank_info_sec1          = [[Indiana's 1st congressional district|1st]]
| blank1_name_sec1         = [[Indiana Senate]] districts
| blank1_info_sec1         = 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th
| blank2_name_sec1         = [[Indiana House of Representatives]] districts
| blank2_info_sec1         = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 19th
| blank3_name_sec1         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank3_info_sec1         = 18-089
| blank4_name_sec1         = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank4_info_sec1         = 0450495
----
| blank3_name_sec2         = Airports
| blank3_info_sec2         = [[Gary/Chicago International Airport|Gary/Chicago International]]<br />[[Griffith-Merrillville Airport|Griffith-Merrillville]]
----
| blank4_name_sec2         = Waterways
| blank4_info_sec2         = [[Grand Calumet River]]<br />{{nowrap|[[Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal]]}}<br />[[Kankakee River]]<br />[[Lake Michigan]]
----
| blank5_name_sec2         = [[Amtrak]] stations
| blank5_info_sec2         = [[Dyer station|Dyer]] – [[Hammond–Whiting station|Hammond-Whiting]]
----
| blank6_name_sec2         = [[South Shore Line]] stations
| blank6_info_sec2         = [[Hammond Gateway station|Hammond Gateway]] – [[East Chicago station|East Chicago]]<br>[[Adam Benjamin Metro Center]]<br />[[Gary/Chicago Airport station|Gary/Chicago Airport]] – [[Miller station|Miller]]
----
| blank7_name_sec2         = Public transit
| blank7_info_sec2         = [[East Chicago Transit]]<br>[[Gary Public Transportation Corporation|Gary Public Transportation]]<br>''[[Broadway Metro Express]]''
| website                  = [http://www.lakecountyin.org/ www.lakecountyin.org]
| footnotes                = * Indiana county number 45
* Second most-populous county in Indiana
| name                     = 
}}

'''Lake County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Indiana]]. In 2020, its population was 498,700,<ref name="census-quickfacts">{{cite web
|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18089.html
 |title=Lake County QuickFacts
 |access-date=June 12, 2014
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607083504/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18089.html
 |archive-date=June 7, 2011
}}</ref> making it Indiana's [[List of counties in Indiana|second-most populous county]]. The [[county seat]] is [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county is part of [[Northwest Indiana]] and the [[Chicago metropolitan area]], and contains a mix of urban, suburban and rural areas. It is bordered on the north by Lake Michigan and contains a portion of the [[Indiana Dunes]].<ref>Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2006). Alice Gray, Dorothy Buell, and Naomi Svihla: "Preservationists of Ogden Dunes", ''The South Shore Journal'', 1.
{{cite web|url=http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-1-2006/78-journals/vol-1-2006/117-alice-gray-dorothy-buell-and-naomi-svihla-preservationists-of-ogden-dunes |title=South Shore Journal - Alice Gray, Dorothy Buell, and Naomi Svihla: Preservationists of Ogden Dunes |access-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913013557/http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-1-2006/78-journals/vol-1-2006/117-alice-gray-dorothy-buell-and-naomi-svihla-preservationists-of-ogden-dunes |archive-date=September 13, 2012 }}</ref><ref>Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2009). "The Historical Roots of the Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation", ''The South Shore Journal'', 3. {{cite web|url=http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-3-2009/83-journals/vol-3-2009/75-the-historical-roots-of-the-nature-conservancy-in-the-northwest-indianachicagoland-region-from-science-to-preservation |title=South Shore Journal - the Historical Roots of the Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation |access-date=November 22, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101021140/http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-3-2009/83-journals/vol-3-2009/75-the-historical-roots-of-the-nature-conservancy-in-the-northwest-indianachicagoland-region-from-science-to-preservation |archive-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref> It includes [[Marktown]], [[Clayton Mark]]'s planned worker community in East Chicago.<ref>Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2011). "Marktown: Clayton Mark's Planned Worker Community in Northwest Indiana", ''South Shore Journal'', 4. {{cite web|url=http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-4-2011/82-marktown-clayton-marks-planned-worker-community-in-northwest-indiana |title=South Shore Journal - Marktown: Clayton Mark's Planned Worker Community in Northwest Indiana |access-date=August 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913013603/http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-4-2011/82-marktown-clayton-marks-planned-worker-community-in-northwest-indiana |archive-date=September 13, 2012 }}</ref>

==History==
===Early settlement===
Originally inhabited by the [[Potawatomi]], Lake County was established by European Americans on February 16, 1837.<ref name=estdate/> From 1832 to 1836 the area that was to become Lake County was part of [[La Porte County]].<ref name=schoon>Kenneth J. Schoon (2003). ''Calumet Beginnings: Ancient Shorelines and Settlements at the South End of Lake Michigan''. Indiana: Indiana University Press. pps. 20-23.</ref> From 1836 to 1837 it was part of [[Porter County]].<ref name=schoon/> It was named for its location on [[Lake Michigan]].<ref>{{cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & Co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog| page=[https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog/page/n567 565]}}</ref> The original county seat was [[Liverpool, Indiana|Liverpool]], but in 1840 Lake Court House, later renamed as Crown Point, was chosen.<ref>{{cite book|author=William Frederick Howat|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|year=1915|location=Chicago|title=A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkPWAAAAMAAJ&q=editions%3Artn_UNMRTgQC&pg=PA100| page=44}}</ref>

Lake County's population grew slowly before the 1850s. Construction of railroads to link [[Chicago]] to the rest of the country stimulated rapid development, and tens of thousands of settlers and immigrants bought land in the region. Small-scale industrialization began, but was primarily relegated to the northern coast of the county, where it could take advantage of the railroads along the coast and shipping on the Great Lakes. The 1900 Census gives a population of 37,892 residents.

===Industrialization and immigration===
[[Inland Steel Company]] established a plant in East Chicago in 1903 and [[U.S. Steel]] founded one in Gary in 1906; with industrial jobs the demand for labor associated with industrial jobs, the county's population exploded. Immigrants poured into the area from all over Central and Eastern Europe (there was also a smaller Mexican immigrant community). In addition, both black and white migrants came from many regions of the United States, particularly [[Appalachia]] and the South. Mostly rural blacks went north in the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]], seeking both industrial jobs and escape from [[Jim Crow]] violence and disenfranchisement in the South.

By 1930, Lake County's population surpassed 260,000, with first- and second-generation Americans constituting a majority of the population. The second wave of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] gained a large following here in the 1920s, as it did for a time in the rest of Indiana. The KKK organized against the numerous European immigrants, who were mostly Catholic. While the steel industry reigned supreme, other industries also found the county to be an ideal location for cheap land and well-developed transportation networks, such as automobiles, oil, chemicals, consumer goods, food processing, and construction supply companies.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Lake County, IN |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/707.html |website=Encyclopedia of Chicago |publisher=Chicago History Museum |access-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref>

The [[Great Depression]] was devastating to Lake County, as it was to other areas with economies based on [[heavy industry]]. The Depression, combined with industrial strife, changing demographics, and unionization, caused a realignment of politics in Lake County. It became a stronghold of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]; Lake County has supported the Democratic nominee for president in every election since 1932 (exceptions occurred in 1956 and 1972). [[Indiana's 1st congressional district]] has elected Democratic candidates in every election since 1930.

[[World War II]] restored prosperity, as industry revived to support the war effort. Good economic times continued into the 1970s. During this period, unions helped industrial workers gain middle-class wages. In addition to attracting refugees and immigrants from Europe, [[black Americans]] and Mexicans migrated here in the postwar period in even higher numbers than in the 1910-1930 period. As minority populations exploded in such industrial cities as East Chicago and Gary, racial tensions surfaced again. Following construction of state and federal highways, development of cheaper land provided newer housing to middle-class people who could afford it. Both [[white flight|whites]] and established black families moved out of the aging industrial cities.<ref name="auto"/>

===Recent history===
Lake County's population peaked at 546,000 in 1970. Severe industrial decline took place during the 1973-1991 period, brought on by foreign competition, new management philosophies that called for major workforce reductions, and productivity gains from technology. The decline was particularly intense in the steel industry: steel employment exceeded 60,000 in the 1960s, and declined progressively to just 18,000 by 2015. Lake County's population declined 13% to bottom out at 475,000 in 1990.

The industrial decline of the 1980s cast a long shadow over Lake County: the county did not regain the level of employment it had in 1980 until 1996, after which the employment level roughly flatlined. The county's economic output peaked in 1978, and has not since recovered, remaining 15-20% below the peak after adjusting for inflation. As prosperity declined, so did the immigration that powered the county's explosive population growth before 1950: per the 2000 census, only 5.3% of Lake County's residents were foreign-born, compared to over 11% for the United States as a whole.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=Northwest Indiana Regional Analysis: Demographics, Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation |url=http://cua6.urban.csuohio.edu/publications/center/center_for_economic_development/Northwest_Indiana_Consolidated_Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325095244/http://cua6.urban.csuohio.edu/publications/center/center_for_economic_development/Northwest_Indiana_Consolidated_Final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |publisher=Cleveland State University |access-date=October 5, 2018 }}</ref>

The population recovered somewhat during the 1990s and 2000s, as the local economy adjusted. Suburban growth has also been driven by commuter populations of workers who are employed in Chicago and commute via expressways or the [[South Shore Line]]. In 2007, it was estimated that 44,000 workers commuted from Lake County, Indiana, to Chicago for work.<ref name="auto1" /> The decline of industrial cities and growth of suburbs has been so sharp, that by 1990 a majority of the county's population lived outside of the four traditional industrial cities. Lake County still continues to struggle with urban decline and poverty, suburban sprawl and traffic jams, and a stagnating population.<ref name="auto"/>

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|626.56|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|498.96|sqmi}} (or 79.63%) is land and {{convert|127.60|sqmi}} (or 20.37%) is water. It is the second-largest county in total area in Indiana, but has the largest water area of all 92 counties.<ref name="census-density"/>

The northern and southern portions of the county (north of U.S. 30 and south of Lowell) are mainly low and flat, except for a few sand ridges and dunes and were both once very marshy and had to be drained. The lowest point, at {{convert|585|ft}},<ref name="elevlow"/> is along the [[Lake Michigan]] shoreline.

The central part of the county is higher and hillier. As you travel south from the low and relatively flat lake plain in the northern part of the county, the land gradually rises in elevation until the peak of the [[Valparaiso Moraine]]. The highest point, at {{convert|801|ft}},<ref name="elevhigh"/> is in northeastern Winfield Township near 109th Street and North Lakeshore Drive in Lakes of the Four Seasons. From here the land descends south into the [[Kankakee Outwash Plain]] until the [[Kankakee River]] is reached.

The [[Geographical centre|geographic center]] of Lake County is approximately {{convert|200|ft|-1}} northwest of Burr Street and West 113th Avenue in [[Center Township, Lake County, Indiana|Center Township]] {{coord|41|24|53.8|N|87|24|14.3|W|region:US-IN_type:landmark|display=inline}}.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]], [[Illinois]] (northwest)
* [[Will County, Illinois|Will County]], [[Illinois]] (west)
* [[Kankakee County, Illinois|Kankakee County]], [[Illinois]] (southwest)
* [[Porter County, Indiana|Porter County]] (east)
* [[Jasper County, Indiana|Jasper County]] (southeast)
* [[Newton County, Indiana|Newton County]] (south)

===National protected area===
* [[Indiana Dunes National Park]]&nbsp;– ''also in [[LaPorte County|LaPorte]] and [[Porter County, Indiana|Porter]] counties''

===Transit===
*[[East Chicago Transit]]
*[[Gary Public Transportation Corporation]] (''[[Broadway Metro Express]]'')

===Airports===
* [[Gary/Chicago International Airport]]
* [[Griffith-Merrillville Airport]]

===Major highways===
Interstate 65 in Lake County is called the [[Casimir Pulaski]] Memorial Highway. Interstate 80/94/US 6 is the [[Frank Borman Expressway]] from the Illinois state line east to the Indiana Toll Road interchange in the eastern portion of the county. Interstate 94 has been referred to as the Chicago-Detroit Industrial Freeway. US 6 is part of the [[Grand Army of the Republic Highway]]. Broadway (Indiana 53) is also the [[Carolyn Brown Mosby|Carolyn Mosby]] Memorial Highway. Indiana 51 is known for its entire length as the [[Adam Benjamin, Jr.|Adam Benjamin]] Memorial Highway. US 30 is part of the historic [[Lincoln Highway]]. US 12 from Gary eastward is part of [[Dunes Highway]]. Cline Avenue (Indiana 912) from US 12 north and westward is known as the Highway Construction Workers Memorial Highway.

* {{jct|state=IN|I|65}}
* {{jct|state=IN|I|80|nolink=yes}}
* {{jct|state=IN|I-Toll|90}}
* {{jct|state=IN|I|94}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|6}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|12}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|20}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|30}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|41}}
* {{jct|state=IN|US|231}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|2}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|51}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|53}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|55}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|130|location1=former [[U.S. Route 30 in Indiana|US&nbsp;30]]}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|312|location1=former [[U.S. Route 12 in Indiana|US&nbsp;12]]}}
* {{jct|state=IN|SR|912|location1=former [[U.S. Route 12 in Indiana|US&nbsp;12]]}}

===Railroads===
* [[Amtrak]]
* [[Canadian National Railway]]
* [[Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad]]
* [[Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad]]
* [[CSX Transportation]]
* [[Gary Railway]]
* [[Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad]]
* [[Norfolk Southern Railway]]
* [[South Shore Line]]

==Municipalities==
{{Lake County, Indiana image map}}

The municipalities in Lake County, and their populations as of the 2020 Census, are:

===Cities===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]]&nbsp;– 33,899
* [[East Chicago, Indiana|East Chicago]]&nbsp;– 26,370
* [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]]&nbsp;– 69,093
* [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]]&nbsp;– 77,879
* [[Hobart, Indiana|Hobart]]&nbsp;– 29,752
* [[Lake Station, Indiana|Lake Station]]&nbsp;– 13,235
* [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]]&nbsp;– 4,559
}}

===Towns===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Cedar Lake, Indiana|Cedar Lake]]&nbsp;– 14,106
* [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]]&nbsp;– 16,517
* [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]]&nbsp;– 16,528
* [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Highland]]&nbsp;– 23,984
* [[Lowell, Indiana|Lowell]]&nbsp;– 10,680
* [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]]&nbsp;– 36,444
* [[Munster, Indiana|Munster]]&nbsp;– 23,894
* [[New Chicago, Indiana|New Chicago]]&nbsp;– 1,999
* [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]]&nbsp;– 29,646
* [[Schneider, Indiana|Schneider]]&nbsp;– 269
* [[St. John, Indiana|St. John]]&nbsp;– 20,303
* [[Winfield, Indiana|Winfield]]&nbsp;– 7,181
}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana|Lake Dalecarlia]]&nbsp;– 1,332
* [[Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana|Lakes of the Four Seasons]]&nbsp;– 3,936<br />''(7,091 including portion in [[Porter County, Indiana|Porter County]])''
* [[Leroy, Indiana|Leroy]]
* [[Ross, Indiana|Ross]]
* [[Shelby, Indiana|Shelby]]&nbsp;– 453

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Ainsworth, Indiana|Ainsworth]]
* [[Belshaw, Indiana|Belshaw]]
* [[Brunswick, Indiana|Brunswick]]
* [[Creston, Indiana|Creston]]
* [[Deep River, Indiana|Deep River]]
* [[Deer Creek, Lake County, Indiana|Deer Creek]]
* [[Klaasville, Indiana|Klaasville]]
* [[Kreitzburg, Indiana|Kreitzburg]]
* [[Leroy, Indiana|Leroy]]
* [[Liverpool, Indiana|Liverpool]]
* [[New Elliott, Indiana|New Elliott]]
* [[Orchard Grove, Indiana|Orchard Grove]]
* [[Palmer, Indiana|Palmer]]
* [[Range Line, Indiana|Range Line]]
* [[Ross, Indiana|Ross]]
* [[Southeast Grove, Indiana|Southeast Grove]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
The 11 townships of Lake County, with their populations as of the 2020 Census, are:

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana|Calumet]]&nbsp;– 91,970
* [[Cedar Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|Cedar Creek]]&nbsp;– 12,725
* [[Center Township, Lake County, Indiana|Center]]&nbsp;– 38,630
* [[Eagle Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|Eagle Creek]]&nbsp;– 1,719
* [[Hanover Township, Lake County, Indiana|Hanover]]&nbsp;– 18,214
* [[Hobart Township, Lake County, Indiana|Hobart]]&nbsp;– 40,652
* [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North]]&nbsp;– 156,686
* [[Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana|Ross]]&nbsp;– 48,529
* [[St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana|St. John]]&nbsp;– 68,972
* [[West Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|West Creek]]&nbsp;– 7,676
* [[Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana|Winfield]]&nbsp;– 12,927
{{div col end}}

==Economy==
Despite the decline of heavy industry, manufacturing was still the largest employment sector in Lake County in 2010 with over 45,000 workers employed, followed closely by healthcare and social assistance at 44,000 workers, public administration at 40,000 workers, retail trade at 37,000 workers, accommodation and food services at 25,000 workers, and construction at 15,000 workers.<ref name="auto1"/>

Lake County's GDP in 2010 was measured at nearly $25 billion. Manufacturing was also the largest sector of the economy in economic terms, contributing over $5.8 billion to the county's GDP in 2010. It was followed by healthcare and social assistance at $2.6 billion, public administration at $2.5 billion, and retail trade at $1.9 billion. While Lake County's average income was approximately 24% higher than the national average in 1978, in 2010 Lake County had fallen significantly behind the United States as a whole, with average income being approximately 12.9% lower. The national average surpassed Lake County sometime around 1986.

Businesses with the largest number of employees in the county are:
<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest Employers in Lake County, Indiana|url=http://lcea.us/employers-industries/|publisher=Lake County Economic Alliance|access-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009193646/http://lcea.us/employers-industries/|archive-date=October 9, 2017}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Americall Group, Inc.&nbsp;– Hobart
* [[Ameristar Casino East Chicago|Ameristar Casino]]&nbsp;– East Chicago
* [[Whiting Refinery|BP Whiting Refinery]]&nbsp;– Whiting
* [[Canadian National Railway]]&nbsp;– Whiting
* [[Cargill]]&nbsp;– Hammond
* [[Cleveland-Cliffs|Cleveland-Cliffs Indiana Harbor Works]]&nbsp;– East Chicago
* Community Hospital&nbsp;– Munster
* [[Franciscan Alliance, Inc.]]&nbsp;– ''locations throughout the region''
* [[Franciscan Health|Franciscan Health Hammond]]&nbsp;– Hammond ''(closed)''
* [[Hard Rock Cafe#Casinos and hotels|Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana]] – Gary
* [[Horseshoe Hammond|Horseshoe Casino]]&nbsp;– Hammond
* [[The Majestic Star Casino, LLC|Majestic Star Casino]]&nbsp;– Gary ''(closed)''
* Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus&nbsp;– Merrillville
* [[NiSource]]&nbsp;– Merrillville
* [[Radisson Hotels|Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza]]&nbsp;– Merrillville ''(closed)''
* St. Catherine Hospital&nbsp;– East Chicago
* St. Mary Medical Center&nbsp;– Hobart
* [[The Times of Northwest Indiana|Times Media Company]]&nbsp;– Munster
* [[Unilever]]&nbsp;– Whiting
* [[Gary Works|U.S. Steel Gary Works]]&nbsp;– Gary
{{div col end}}

==Education==

===Public school districts===
The administration of public schools in Lake County is divided among 16 corporations and governing bodies,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18089_lake/DC20SD_C18089.pdf|title=2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Lake County, IN|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 20, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18089_lake/DC20SD_C18089_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> more than any other Indiana county.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.indiana.edu/imagemapper/school_districts/|title=Page Not Found: STATS Indiana|website=www.stats.indiana.edu|access-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208054215/http://www.stats.indiana.edu/imagemapper/school_districts|archive-date=December 8, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Crown Point Community School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[Center Township, Lake County, Indiana|Center]] and [[Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana|Winfield]] townships
* [[Gary Community School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[Gary, Indiana|City of Gary]]
* [[Griffith Public Schools]]&nbsp;– [[Griffith, Indiana|Town of Griffith]]
* [[Hanover Community School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[Hanover Township, Lake County, Indiana|Hanover Township]]
* [[Lake Central School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana|St. John Township]]
* [[Lake Ridge Schools Corporation]]&nbsp;– unincorporated [[Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana|Calumet Township]]
* [[Lake Station Community Schools]]&nbsp;– [[Lake Station, Indiana|City of Lake Station]]
* [[Merrillville Community School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana|Ross Township]]
* [[River Forest Community School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[New Chicago, Indiana|Town of New Chicago]] and some portions of adjacent communities
* [[School City of East Chicago]]&nbsp;– [[East Chicago, Indiana|City of East Chicago]]
* [[School City of Hammond]]&nbsp;– [[Hammond, Indiana|City of Hammond]]
* [[School City of Hobart]]&nbsp;– [[Hobart, Indiana|City of Hobart]] within [[Hobart Township, Lake County, Indiana|Hobart Township]]
* [[School City of Whiting]]&nbsp;– [[Whiting, Indiana|City of Whiting]]
* [[School Town of Highland]]&nbsp;– [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Town of Highland]]
* [[School Town of Munster]]&nbsp;– [[Munster, Indiana|Town of Munster]]
* [[Tri-Creek School Corporation]]&nbsp;– [[Cedar Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|Cedar Creek]], [[Eagle Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|Eagle Creek]] and [[West Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana|West Creek]] townships

===Private schools===
Elementary and secondary schools operated by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary|Diocese of Gary]]:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Andrean High School]], Merrillville (9–12)
* Aquinas School at St. Andrew's, Merrillville (PK–8)
* [[Bishop Noll Institute]], Hammond (9–12)
* Our Lady of Grace, Highland (PK–8)
* St. Casimir, Hammond (PK–8)
* St. John Bosco, Hammond (PK–8)
* St. John the Baptist, Whiting (PK–8)
* St. John the Evangelist, St. John (PK–8)
* St. Mary, Crown Point (PK–8)
* St. Mary, Griffith (PK–8)
* St. Michael, Schererville (PK–8)
* St. Stanislaus, East Chicago (PK–8)
* St. Thomas More, Munster (PK–8)
 {{div col end}}

Other parochial and private schools:
* St. Paul's Lutheran School, Munster (PK–8)
* Trinity Lutheran School, Crown Point (PK–8)
* Trinity Lutheran School, Hobart (PK–8)

===Colleges and universities===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Calumet College of St. Joseph]]
* [[Hyles–Anderson College]]
* [[Indiana University Northwest]]
* [[Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana|Ivy Tech Community College]]
* [[Purdue University Northwest]]<ref>{{cite news
 |author      = Joseph S. Pete
 |title       = Purdue University Northwest now officially exists
 |newspaper   = [[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]
 |date        = March 5, 2016
|url         = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/purdue-university-northwest-now-officially-exists/article_19e1f453-cc88-5336-928b-0e695d53a63a.html
 |access-date  = March 5, 2016
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307111933/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/purdue-university-northwest-now-officially-exists/article_19e1f453-cc88-5336-928b-0e695d53a63a.html
 |archive-date = March 7, 2016
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
* [[University of Phoenix]]
* [[Indiana Wesleyan University]]
 {{div col end}}

==Public libraries==
The county is served by seven different public library systems:
* Crown Point Community Library has its main location with a branch in Winfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crownpointlibrary.org/|title=Crown Point Community Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711015054/http://www.crownpointlibrary.org/|archive-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref>
* East Chicago Public Library has its main location and the Robart A. Pastrick branch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecpl.org/|title=East Chicago Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601123400/http://www.ecpl.org/|archive-date=June 1, 2014}}</ref>
* Gary Public Library has its main location, the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, and the Kennedy and Woodson branches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garypubliclibrary.org/|title=Gary Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153050/http://www.garypubliclibrary.org/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
* Hammond Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hammond.lib.in.us/|title=Hammond Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714174653/http://www.hammond.lib.in.us/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
* Lake County Public Library has its main location in Merrillville as well as Cedar Lake, Dyer-Schererville, Griffith-Calumet Township, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station-New Chicago, Munster and St. John branches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcplin.org/|title=Lake County Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701074829/http://www.lcplin.org/|archive-date=July 1, 2014}}</ref>
* Lowell Public Library has its main location with branches in Schneider and Shelby.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellpl.lib.in.us/|title=Lowell Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403020451/http://www.lowellpl.lib.in.us/|archive-date=April 3, 2014}}</ref>
* Whiting Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whiting.lib.in.us/|title=Whiting Public Library|access-date=June 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212543/http://www.whiting.lib.in.us/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

==Hospitals==
* Community Hospital, Munster&nbsp;– 454 beds<ref name="hospbeds">{{cite web |url=https://www.in.gov/health/reports/QAMIS/hosdir/ctyfac44.htm |title=Hospital Facility Directory for Lake County |publisher=Indiana Department of Health |access-date=September 4, 2023  }}</ref>
* [[Franciscan Alliance, Inc.|Franciscan Health Crown Point]], Crown Point&nbsp;– 203 beds ''(Level III Trauma Center)''<ref name="hospbeds" /><ref name="namechange" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ihaconnect.org/member/resources/Pages/Trauma-Hospitals-in-Indiana.aspx |title=Trauma Centers in Indiana |publisher=Indiana Department of Health |access-date=September 4, 2023  }}</ref>
* [[Franciscan Alliance, Inc.|Franciscan Health Dyer]], Dyer&nbsp;– 223 beds<ref name="hospbeds" /><ref name="namechange">{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/franciscan-health-new-name-leading-hospital-system
 |title       = Franciscan Health is New Name for Leading Hospital System
 |date        = September 6, 2016
|website     = [[Franciscan Alliance, Inc.]]
 |access-date = September 11, 2016
 |url-status  = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920214419/https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/franciscan-health-new-name-leading-hospital-system
 |archive-date = September 20, 2016
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
* [[Franciscan Alliance, Inc.|Franciscan Health Munster]], Munster&nbsp;– 63 beds<ref name="hospbeds" /><ref name="namechange" />
* Methodist Hospitals&nbsp;– 536 beds<ref name="hospbeds" />
** Northlake Campus, Gary
** Southlake Campus, Merrillville
* NW Indiana ER and Hospital, Hammond&nbsp;– 6 beds<ref name="hospbeds" />
* St. Catherine Hospital, East Chicago&nbsp;– 216 beds<ref name="hospbeds" />
* St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart&nbsp;– 215 beds<ref name="hospbeds" />
* UChicago Medicine Crown Point, Crown Point&nbsp;– 8 beds ''(opening April 2024)''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/news/2024/february/crown-point-opening-soon |title=UChicago Medicine's new Crown Point multispecialty care facility opens April 29 |date=February 26, 2024 |website=[[University of Chicago Medical Center]] |access-date=April 16, 2024 }}</ref>

==Media==
''[[The Times of Northwest Indiana|The Times]]'', based in Munster, is the largest daily newspaper in Lake County and Northwest Indiana and the second largest in the state. Lake County is also served by the ''[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]]'', a daily newspaper based in Merrillville.

Lakeshore Public Television operates [[WYIN|WYIN-TV]] Gary on [[virtual channel|channel]] 56 and is the local [[PBS]] station in the Chicago television market.

These eight broadcast radio stations serve Lake County and are part of the Chicago market:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[WJOB (AM)|WJOB]] (1230 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) – Hammond
* [[WWCA]] (1270 AM) – Gary
* [[WLTH]] (1370 AM) – Gary
* [[WLPR-FM|WLPR]] (89.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) – Lowell
* [[WRTW]] (90.5 FM) – Crown Point
* [[WPWX]] (92.3 FM) – Hammond
* [[WXRD]] (103.9 FM) – Crown Point
* [[WZVN (FM)|WZVN]] (107.1 FM) – Lowell
 {{div col end}}

==Climate and weather==
{{Weather box
|single line = Y
|location = Lowell, Indiana (1981-2010 normals, extremes 1963-present)
|Jan record high F = 66
|Feb record high F = 73
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 70
|Jan high F = 31.2
|Feb high F = 35.8
|Mar high F = 47.5
|Apr high F = 60.8
|May high F = 71.3
|Jun high F = 80.7
|Jul high F = 83.8
|Aug high F = 82.0
|Sep high F = 76.4
|Oct high F = 63.6
|Nov high F = 49.4
|Dec high F = 35.1
|Jan mean F = 22.8
|Feb mean F = 26.7
|Mar mean F = 37.4
|Apr mean F = 49.3
|May mean F = 59.8
|Jun mean F = 69.7
|Jul mean F = 73.1
|Aug mean F = 71.1
|Sep mean F = 64.2
|Oct mean F = 51.9
|Nov mean F = 40.2
|Dec mean F = 27.1
|Jan low F = 14.4
|Feb low F = 17.7
|Mar low F = 27.4
|Apr low F = 37.9
|May low F = 48.2
|Jun low F = 58.7
|Jul low F = 62.4
|Aug low F = 60.3
|Sep low F = 52.0
|Oct low F = 40.2
|Nov low F = 31.0
|Dec low F = 19.1
|Jan record low F = −28
|Feb record low F = −23
|Mar record low F = −9
|Apr record low F = 7
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 38
|Sep record low F = 28
|Oct record low F = 18
|Nov record low F = 2
|Dec record low F = −29
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.96
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.75
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.57
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.78
|May precipitation inch = 4.38
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.69
|Jul precipitation inch = 4
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.98
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.14
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.44
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.43
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.34

|Jan snow inch = 8.8
|Feb snow inch = 8.2
|Mar snow inch = 3.4
|Apr snow inch = 0.3
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 0.7
|Dec snow inch = 7.7
|source 1=NOAA (normals, 1981–2010)<ref name=NCDC>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals|title=NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714010203/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
|date=October 2011}}
[[File:Lake County, IN.jpg|thumb|Satellite imagery of Lake County, IN]]
In recent years, average temperatures in Lowell have ranged from a low of {{convert|14.4|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|83.8|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-29|°F}} was recorded in December 1989 and a record high of {{convert|104|°F}} was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.75|in}} in February to {{convert|4.69|in}} in June. Temperatures at or below {{convert|0|°F}} occur on average 11 days annually and exceed {{convert|90|°F}} degrees on 14 days.<ref name="NCDC"/> In winter, [[lake-effect snow]] increases snowfall totals compared to the areas to the west.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scenarios.globalchange.gov/data-library/997 |title=Average annual snowfall for the Midwest region |access-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725225623/http://scenarios.globalchange.gov/data-library/997 |archive-date=July 25, 2015  }}</ref> In spring and early summer, the immediate shoreline areas sometimes experience lake-breeze that can drop temperatures by several degrees compared to areas further inland.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Lake Michigan Lake Breezes: Climatology, Local Forcing, and Synoptic Environment|first1=Neil F.|last1=Laird|first2=David A. R.|last2=Kristovich|first3=Xin-Zhong|last3=Liang|first4=Raymond W.|last4=Arritt|first5=Kenneth|last5=Labas|date=March 1, 2001|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology|volume=40|issue=3|pages=409–424|doi=10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<0409:lmlbcl>2.0.co;2|bibcode=2001JApMe..40..409L |doi-access=free}}</ref> In summer, thunderstorms are common, occurring an average 40–50 days every year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/tstorms_intro.htm|title=NWS JetStream - Thunderstorms|first=National Weather|last=Service|website=www.srh.noaa.gov|access-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323184400/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/tstorms_intro.htm|archive-date=March 23, 2016}}</ref> and on about 13 days, these thunderstorms produce severe winds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/2013/WIND.png |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920043713/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/2013/WIND.png |archive-date=September 20, 2015  }}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|Government of Indiana}}

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the [[Constitution of Indiana]], and by the [[Indiana Code]].

'''County Council:''' The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.<ref name=inc3623>{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html|title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=IN.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005194234/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html|archive-date=October 5, 2008|author-link=Indiana Code}}</ref><ref name=inc2102>{{cite web |author= Indiana Code |url= http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |title= Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |access-date= September 16, 2008 |publisher= IN.gov |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081029030838/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-date= October 29, 2008 |df= mdy-all |author-link= Indiana Code }}</ref>

'''Board of Commissioners:''' The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.<ref name = inc3623/><ref name = inc2102/>

'''Court:''' The county maintains a [[small claims court]] that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level [[circuit court]].<ref name = inc2102/>

'''County Officials:''' The county has several other elected offices, including [[sheriff]], [[coroner]], [[auditor]], [[treasurer]], [[Recorder of deeds|recorder]], [[Surveying|surveyor]], and circuit [[court clerk]] Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare [[political party|party]] affiliations and to be residents of the county.<ref name = inc2102/>

===County elected officials===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
''[[County commission|Board of Commissioners]]:''<ref name=officials/>
* Kyle W. Allen, Sr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 1st)†
* Jerry J. Tippy ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2nd)
* Michael C. Repay ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 3rd)

''[[Council|County Council]]:''<ref name=officials/>
* David Hamm ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 1st)
* Ronald Brewer ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 2nd)
* [[Charlie Brown (Indiana politician)|Charlie Brown]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 3rd)
* Pete Lindemulder ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 4th)
* Christine Cid ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 5th)
* Ted F. Bilski ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 6th)†
* Randy Niemeyer ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 7th)
{{Col-break}}
''[[Official|Elected Officials]]:''<ref name=officials/>
* [[Tax assessment|Assessor]]: LaTonya Spearman ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Audit]]or: Peggy Katona ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Clerk (municipal official)|Clerk]]: Michael Brown ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Coroner]]: David Pastrick ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Prosecutor]]: Bernard A. Carter ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Recorder of deeds|Recorder]]: Gina Pimentel ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Sheriff]]: Oscar Martinez, Jr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<ref>{{cite news
 |author      = Bill Dolan
 |title       = New Lake County Sheriff Martinez credited experience, Hammond support for victory
 |newspaper   = [[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]
 |date        = September 16, 2017
|url         = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/new-lake-county-sheriff-martinez-credited-experience-hammond-support-for/article_366f5e4e-b62a-5d34-a059-ca23457ed395.html
 |access-date  = September 16, 2017
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170916220400/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/new-lake-county-sheriff-martinez-credited-experience-hammond-support-for/article_366f5e4e-b62a-5d34-a059-ca23457ed395.html
 |archive-date = September 16, 2017
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
* [[Surveying|Surveyor]]: Bill Emerson, Jr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
* [[Treasurer]]: John Petalas ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])

{{pad|0.5em}}† ''President''
{{Col-end}}

==Politics==
While the state of Indiana is strongly Republican, having voted Republican in every election since 1964 (except in 2008), Lake County has long been a Democratic stronghold due to being part of the [[Chicago metropolitan area]]. It has given pluralities or majorities to Democrats in every [[President of the United States|presidential election]] since [[1932 United States presidential election|1932]] with the exceptions of [[1956 United States presidential election|1956]] and [[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]. Like the rest of the Rust Belt, however, Lake County has recently trended Republican, with Donald Trump scoring the highest percentage of the vote since 1972 in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].

Lake is part of [[Indiana's 1st congressional district]], which is held by Democrat [[Frank J. Mrvan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/visclosky/|title=US Congressman Pete Visclosky|publisher=US Congress|access-date=July 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009045245/http://www.house.gov/visclosky/|archive-date=October 9, 2008}}</ref> In the [[Indiana Senate|State Senate]], Lake is part of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th districts, which are held by three Democrats and one Republican. In the [[Indiana House of Representatives]], Lake is part of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 19th districts, which are held by four Democrats and four Republicans.

{{PresHead|place=Lake County, Indiana|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|archive-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|2,543|2,068|80|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|2,958|3,010|192|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,883|3,418|102|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,337|3,733|131|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|6,429|2,933|666|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|9,499|5,502|578|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|5,176|5,136|7,171|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|13,262|9,946|903|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|26,296|7,136|4,596|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|30,990|10,918|6,060|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|48,768|32,321|630|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|42,596|46,060|2,836|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|33,689|68,551|1,510|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|45,898|71,985|447|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|48,147|75,066|737|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|51,413|77,025|4,157|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|74,073|90,721|1,051|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|92,803|85,000|657|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|78,278|132,554|526|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|73,722|134,978|823|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|77,911|99,897|35,766|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|115,480|88,510|1,352|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|90,119|120,700|1,922|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|95,408|101,145|10,786|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|94,870|117,984|1,289|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|79,929|105,026|780|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|53,867|102,778|29,653|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|47,873|100,198|15,789|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|63,389|109,078|3,527|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|71,903|114,743|1,376|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|67,742|139,301|1,996|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|68,431|130,897|2,819|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|75,625|116,935|10,241|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|91,760|124,870|3,700|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|97,270|109,086|3,746|Indiana}}
{{PresFoot}}

===2008 presidential primary===
In the [[Indiana Democratic primary, 2008|2008 Democratic presidential primary]] on May 6, 2008, Lake County was one of the last counties to report results.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/06/awaiting-one-county/ | work=CNN | title=Awaiting one county | access-date=May 7, 2010 | date=May 6, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119220313/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/06/awaiting-one-county/ | archive-date=November 19, 2009 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lake County had reported no results at 11 p.m. [[Eastern Time|ET]],<ref name="Yahoo">[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/primary_lake_county;_ylt=AlM5ecPVe3b188Lss2jVzQ1h24cA Indiana's Lake County has tradition of late vote tallies] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and at midnight ET, only 28% of Lake County's vote had been reported.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/06/primaries.change/index.html|title=Clinton's Indiana win keeps Democratic race alive - CNN.com|website=www.cnn.com|access-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506225005/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/06/primaries.change/index.html|archive-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref> A large number of absentee ballots and a record turnout delayed the tallies, and polls closed an hour later than much of the state because Lake County is in the [[Central Time Zone]].<ref name="Yahoo"/> Early returns showed Senator Barack Obama leading by a potentially lead-changing margin, leaving the race between Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] and Obama "too close to call" until final tallies were reported.

'''Crime'''

The NWI Times reported that over 800 registered sex offenders live in Lake and Porter Counties of Indiana in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/gallery-registered-sex-offenders-in-valparaiso/collection_90da9614-7fad-5e2b-832a-e6215743d1c0.html|title=GALLERY: Registered sex offenders in Valparaiso}}</ref>

==Culture and contemporary life==
<!--DO NOT ADD entries to this section that do not have an existing Wikipedia article-->

===Entertainment and the arts===
<!--DO NOT ADD entries to this section that do not have an existing Wikipedia article-->
* [[Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra]], concerts held at Living Hope Church – Merrillville
* [[Theatre at the Center]], located at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts – Munster

===Major attractions===
<!--DO NOT ADD entries to this section that do not have an existing Wikipedia article-->
* [[Ameristar Casino East Chicago|Ameristar Casino]] – East Chicago
* [[Horseshoe Casino Hammond|Horseshoe Casino]] – Hammond
* [[Majestic Star Casino]] – Gary
* [[Majestic Star II|Majestic Star Casino II]] – Gary
* [[Pierogi Fest]] – Whiting
* [[Southlake Mall (Indiana)|Southlake Mall]] – Hobart
* [[Three Floyds Brewing]] – Munster

===Professional sports teams===
* [[Gary SouthShore RailCats]], an [[American Association of Independent Professional Baseball|American Association]] [[professional baseball]] team, play their games at [[U.S. Steel Yard]] in Gary.

==Recreation==

;List of parks and recreational facilities – Lake County Parks and Recreation
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center – Lake Station
* [[Buckley Homestead]] – Lowell
* Cedar Creek Family Golf Center – Cedar Lake
* Deep River County Park – Hobart
* [[Deep River Water Park|Deep River Waterpark]] – Crown Point
* Gibson Woods Nature Preserve – Hammond
* Grand Kankakee Marsh – [[Hebron, Indiana|Hebron]]
* Lake Etta – Gary
* Lemon Lake – Crown Point
* Oak Ridge Prairie & Oak Savannah Trail – Griffith
* Stoney Run County Park – Hebron
* Three Rivers County Park – Lake Station
* Turkey Creek Golf Course – Merrillville
* [[Whihala Beach County Park|Whihala Beach]] – Whiting
}}

;List of recreational facilities – Indiana Dunes National Park
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Calumet Prairie State Nature Preserve – Lake Station
* Hobart Prairie Grove – Hobart
* [[Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve]] – Griffith
* [[Paul Douglas (Illinois politician)|Paul H. Douglas]] Center for Environmental Education – Gary
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 1468
|1850= 3991
|1860= 9145
|1870= 12339
|1880= 15091
|1890= 23886
|1900= 37892
|1910= 82864
|1920= 159957
|1930= 261310
|1940= 293195
|1950= 368152
|1960= 513269
|1970= 546253
|1980= 522965
|1990= 475594
|2000= 484564
|2010= 496005
|2020= 498700
|estyear=2023
|estimate=500598
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004214054/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|archive-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203824/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="census-quickfacts"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Lake County, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lake County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US18089&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lake County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US18089&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lake County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US18089&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|293,457
|274,162
|style='background: #ffffe6; |251,106
|60.56%
|55.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |50.35%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|121,372
|125,506
|style='background: #ffffe6; |121,048
|25.05%
|25.30%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |24.27%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|854
|913
|style='background: #ffffe6; |691
|0.18%
|0.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.14%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|3,862
|5,981
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,334
|0.80%
|1.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.47%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|106
|63
|style='background: #ffffe6; |95
|0.02%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|450
|463
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,682
|0.09%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|5,335
|6,254
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16,817
|1.10%
|1.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.37%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|59,128
|82,663
|style='background: #ffffe6; |99,927
|12.20%
|16.67%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |20.04%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''484,564'''
|'''496,005'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''498,700'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 496,005&nbsp;people, 188,157&nbsp;households, and 127,647&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18089
 |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213025910/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18089
 |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
 }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|994.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 208,750 housing units at an average density of {{convert|418.4|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18089
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203256/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18089
 |archive-date=February 12, 2020
|url-status=dead
 }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 64.4% white, 25.9% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 5.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 16.1% were [[Germans|German]], 11.1% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.6% were [[Polish people|Polish]], 5.4% were [[English people|English]], 4.8% were [[Italian people|Italian]] and 3.7% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18089
 |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003649/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18089
 |archive-date=February 14, 2020
|url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

Of the 188,157&nbsp;households, 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 37.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $58,931. Males had a median income of $50,137 versus $33,264 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,142. About 12.2% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18089
 |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003601/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18089
 |archive-date=February 14, 2020
|url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right"
|+ Places by population and race<ref name="USCB-DP1">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics 2010, Table DP-1, 2010 Demographic Profile Data. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website] . Retrieved June 14, 2014.</ref>
|-
! Place
! data-sort-type="number" | Population (2010)
! data-sort-type="number" | White
! data-sort-type="number" | Black or African<br>American
! data-sort-type="number" | Asian
! data-sort-type="number" | Other<br><ref name="other" group=note>Other = Combined percentages for American Indian or Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; other races; and two or more races</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" | Hispanic or Latino<br>(of any race)
|- style="background: #cedff2"
| style="text-align: left" | Lake County || 496,005 || 64.4% || 25.9% || 1.2% || 8.5% || 16.7%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Cedar Lake, Indiana|Cedar Lake]], ''town'' || 11,560 || 94.9% || 0.5% || 0.4% || 4.2% || 6.5%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]], ''city'' || 27,317 || 88.2% || 6.3% || 1.8% || 3.7% || 8.1%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]], ''town'' || 16,390 || 90.1% || 2.5% || 2.9% || 4.5% || 9.3%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[East Chicago, Indiana|East Chicago]], ''city'' || 29,698 || 35.5% || 42.9% || 0.1% || 21.5% || 50.9%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], ''city'' || 80,294 || 10.7% || 84.8% || 0.2% || 4.3% || 5.1%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]], ''town'' || 16,893 || 75.8% || 16.9% || 0.8% || 6.5% || 13.3%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]], ''city'' || 80,830 || 59.4% || 22.5% || 1.0% || 17.1% || 34.1%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Highland]], ''town'' || 23,727 || 88.6% || 4.2% || 1.6% || 5.6% || 12.8%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Hobart, Indiana|Hobart]], ''city'' || 29,059 || 85.3% || 7.0% || 1.0% || 6.7% || 13.9%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana|Lake Dalecarlia]], ''CDP'' || 1,355 || 97.3% || 0.2% || 0.1% || 2.4% || 3.4%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lake Station, Indiana|Lake Station]], ''city'' || 12,572 || 79.7% || 3.6% || 0.3% || 16.4% || 28.0%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana|Lakes of the Four Seasons]], ''CDP''<ref name="lofs" group="note">Population is 3,936 within Lake County; 3,097 reside in Porter County</ref> || 7,033 || 93.4% || 1.2% || 1.0% || 4.4% || 8.5%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lowell, Indiana|Lowell]], ''town'' || 9,276 || 95.9% || 0.5% || 0.3% || 3.3% || 6.9%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]], ''town'' || 35,246 || 46.4% || 44.5% || 1.2% || 7.9% || 12.9%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Munster, Indiana|Munster]], ''town'' || 23,603 || 85.6% || 3.5% || 5.8% || 5.1% || 10.2%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[New Chicago, Indiana|New Chicago]], ''town'' || 2,035 || 81.0% || 2.2% || 0.7% || 16.1% || 27.4%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[St. John, Indiana|St. John]], ''town'' || 14,850 || 93.5% || 1.3% || 1.3% || 3.9% || 8.2%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]], ''town'' || 29,243 || 86.8% || 5.4% || 2.8% || 5.0% || 10.6%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Schneider, Indiana|Schneider]], ''town'' || 277 || 97.1% || 0.0% || 1.1% || 1.8% || 2.5%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Shelby, Indiana|Shelby]], ''CDP'' || 539 || 95.5% || 1.7% || 0.2% || 2.6% || 0.9%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]], ''city'' || 4,997 || 76.3% || 3.5% || 0.7% || 19.5% || 40.7%
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Winfield, Indiana|Winfield]], ''town'' || 4,383 || 88.5% || 3.7% || 3.5% || 4.3% || 8.9%
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right"
|+ Places by population and standard of living<ref name="USCB-DP03">U.S. Census Bureau. 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table DP03, Selected Economic Characteristics. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website] . Retrieved June 14, 2014.</ref><ref name="USCB-DP04">U.S. Census Bureau. 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table DP04, Selected Housing Characteristics. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website] . Retrieved June 14, 2014.</ref>
|-
! Place
! Population (2010)
! data-sort-type="currency" | Per<br>capita<br>income
! data-sort-type="currency" | Median<br>household<br>income
! data-sort-type="currency" | Median<br>home<br>value
|- style="background: #cedff2;"
| style="text-align: left" | Lake County || 496,005 || $23,792 || $49,315 || $137,400
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Cedar Lake, Indiana|Cedar Lake]], ''town'' || 11,560 || $25,477 || $59,090 || $151,400
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Crown Point, Indiana|Crown Point]], ''city'' || 27,317 || $31,454 || $64,876 || $174,900
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]], ''town'' || 16,390 || $35,020 || $78,881 || $197,500
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[East Chicago, Indiana|East Chicago]], ''city'' || 29,698 || $13,457 || $27,171 || $86,800
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], ''city'' || 80,294 || $15,764 || $26,956 || $66,900
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]], ''town'' || 16,893 || $26,548 || $53,225 || $141,600
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]], ''city'' || 80,830 || $18,148 || $38,677 || $94,800
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Highland]], ''town'' || 23,727 || $30,036 || $61,930 || $155,200
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Hobart, Indiana|Hobart]], ''city'' || 29,059 || $24,740 || $54,468 || $134,400
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana|Lake Dalecarlia]], ''CDP'' || 1,355 || $25,035 || $52,321 || $165,400
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lake Station, Indiana|Lake Station]], ''city'' || 12,572 || $16,953 || $36,955 || $82,400
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana|Lakes of the Four Seasons]], ''CDP''<ref name="lofs" group="note"/> || 7,033 || $32,908 || $84,242 || $182,600
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Lowell, Indiana|Lowell]], ''town'' || 9,276 || $23,619 || $60,549 || $146,500
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]], ''town'' || 35,246 || $23,605 || $53,470 || $132,600
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Munster, Indiana|Munster]], ''town'' || 23,603 || $34,735 || $70,708 || $197,600
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[New Chicago, Indiana|New Chicago]], ''town'' || 2,035 || $18,083 || $38,672 || $97,700
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[St. John, Indiana|St. John]], ''town'' || 14,850 || $36,490 || $97,868 || $254,600
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]], ''town'' || 29,243 || $33,984 || $68,004 || $204,300
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Schneider, Indiana|Schneider]], ''town'' || 277 || $18,774 || $50,972 || $89,500
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Shelby, Indiana|Shelby]], ''CDP'' || 539 || $29,700 || $61,667 || $89,700
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]], ''city'' || 4,997 || $21,427 || $44,368 || $111,500
|-
| style="text-align: left" | [[Winfield, Indiana|Winfield]], ''town'' || 4,383 || $23,792 || $49,315 || $137,400
|}

==See also==
* [[Lake County Indiana Sheriff's Department]]
* [[List of public art in Lake County, Indiana]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Lake County, Indiana]]
{{commons category|Lake County, Indiana}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
 | first = Richard L.
 | last = Forstall
 | year = 1995
 | title = U. S. Population of States and Counties - 1790 Through 1990
 | publisher = National Technical Information Services (NTIS)
 | isbn = 0-934213-48-8
}}
* {{cite book
 | first = Kenneth J.
 | last = Schoon
 | year = 2003
 | title = Calumet Beginnings: Ancient Shorelines and Settlements at the South End of Lake Michigan
 | publisher = Indiana University Press
 | isbn = 0-253-34218-X
}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.lakecountyin.org/index.jsp Lake County official website]
* [http://www.lakecountyparks.com/ Lake County Parks]
* [http://www.southshorecva.com/ South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Lake County, Indiana
|North     = [[Lake Michigan]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Porter County, Indiana|Porter County]]
|Southeast = [[Jasper County, Indiana|Jasper County]]
|South     = [[Newton County, Indiana|Newton County]]
|Southwest = [[Kankakee County, Illinois]]
|West      = [[Will County, Illinois]]
|Northwest = [[Cook County, Illinois]]
}}

{{Lake County, Indiana}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lake County, Indiana| ]]
[[Category:Indiana counties]]
[[Category:1837 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1837]]
[[Category:Chicago metropolitan area|Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Northwest Indiana]]