View source for Munster, Indiana

{{About|the town in the United States|the Irish province|Munster|the German city|Münster|the German town|Munster, Lower Saxony|other uses|Munster (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Munster, Indiana
| official_name      = Town of Munster, Indiana
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| image_skyline      = MunsterIN.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_blank_emblem = MunsterINlogo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 110px
| image_map          = File:Lake County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Munster Highlighted 1851912.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Munster in Lake County, Indiana.
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="officials">{{cite web
  |url= https://lakecounty.in.gov/dA/8ee74908-61bf-46b8-8c34-a648d6d3ed59/pdfFile/2023%20PUBLIC%20OFFICIALS%20DIRECTORY.pdf?language_id=1
  |title=2023 Public Officials Directory
  |publisher=Lake County Board of Elections and Voter's Registration
  |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Town]]
| governing_body     = Town Council
| leader_title1      = Members:
| leader_name1       = George Shinkan ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 1st) {{no wrap|Joe Hofferth ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2nd)}} Chuck Gardiner ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 3rd) David Nellans ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 4th) Jonathan Petersen ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 5th)
| leader_title2      = {{nowrap|Clerk-Treasurer}}
| leader_name2       = Wendy Mis ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 27635
| population_density_km2 = 1224.83
| population_density_sq_mi = 3172.33
| population_demonym = [[Munsterite]]
| population_note    = 
| demographics_type1 = Standard of living ([[American Community Survey|2008-12]])
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Per capita income]]
| demographics1_info1 = $34,735
| demographics1_title2 = [[Real estate appraisal|Median home value]]
| demographics1_info2 = $197,600
| timezone           = [[Central Standard Time|Central]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = [[Central Daylight Time|Central]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;5
| area_land_km2      = 19.51
| area_water_km2     = 0.24
| area_total_km2     = 19.75
| area_total_sq_mi   = 7.63
| area_land_sq_mi    = 7.53
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.09
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 614
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|32|45|N|87|30|05|W|region:US-IN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46321
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 219|219]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-51912<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2396794<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396794}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.munster.org}}
| established_title  = Settled<ref name=townhistory>{{Cite web|url=https://www.munster.org/category/subcategory.php?fCS=9-21|title=Town History / Town of Munster, IN|website=www.munster.org}}</ref>
| established_date   = 1850s
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = 1907
| established_title3 = 
| established_date3  = 
| named_for          = Jacob Munster
}}

'''Munster''' is a suburban town in [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana]], United States. It is in the [[Chicago metropolitan area]], approximately {{convert|30|mi|km}} southeast of the [[Chicago Loop]], and shares municipal boundaries with [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] to the north, [[Highland, Lake County, Indiana|Highland]] to the east, [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]] and [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]] to the south, and [[Lansing, Illinois|Lansing]] and [[Lynwood, Illinois|Lynwood]] directly west over the [[Illinois]] border. Its population was 23,894 at the 2020 US Census.

==Geography==
[[File:Centennial Park lake in Munster.JPG|thumb|left|View of the Centennial Park lake and amphitheater, opened in 2007.]]

Munster is located at a point on an ancient shoreline of [[Lake Michigan]] (known as the [[Calumet Shoreline]]) which is today Ridge Road. This ridge runs east and west through the north part of town, hence the town's nickname "Town on the Ridge".

The town's boundaries contain three small lakes, one of which, located within Centennial Park, is marshy and undeveloped. Munster is bordered on the north by the [[Little Calumet River]], a shallow river surrounded by a thin strip of wooded area; and on the West by the [[Illinois]] state line.

According to the 2010 census, Munster has a total area of {{convert|7.65|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|7.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 98.95%) is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 1.05%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1851912
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=July 17, 2015
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213084529/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1851912
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==History==
The [[Ibach House]] and [[Stallbohm Barn-Kaske House]] are listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2011-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=January 7, 2011|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/27/10 through 12/30/10|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

===Early history===
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the [[Potawatomi]]. Although a village did not exist in what was to become Munster's town boundaries, a trail along the dry sandy ridge now known as Ridge Road was well traveled by the indigenous inhabitants. Today, Munster's downtown area, the Town Hall, Police and Fire Department headquarters, the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, and the Munster Post Office are all situated on Ridge Road.<ref name =ParkPDF>{{cite web|url=https://www.munster.org/egov/documents/1542401117_29583.pdf|title=Introduction: History and Background|work=Munster and Parks Recreation}}</ref>

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the area that is today Munster was part of land claimed by France as French territory. In the 1760s the British claimed the land where the Potawatomi lived as part of the [[British Empire]]. Twenty years later [[George Rogers Clark]] overran the British in the [[American Revolutionary War]], claiming the land for the newly independent [[United States|United States of America]].

In the 1850s, as the numbers of Native Americans dwindled, pioneer settlers began to inhabit the area which would become Munster to grow crops and provide dairy products to the profitable markets in Chicago.<ref name=townhistory />

When Jacob Munster, a young man from the Netherlands who until the 1860s spelled his surname "Monster,"<ref>Hmurovic, Edward, _Munster, Indiana_ (part of the "Images of America" series), Arcadia Publishing, 2003, p. 13</ref> opened an area general store complete with a U.S. postal station on the back, the local farmers and settlers came to rely on the postal station, which soon became a [[United States Post Office]]. The post office was named Munster, as it was located in Jacob Munster's general store.

Before long more and more people moved to the "Munster" area, and in 1907 Munster was incorporated as a town, with 76 residents voting "yes" for the incorporation and 28 voting "no."<ref name=ParkPDF />

===Modern times===
[[File:Residents boat down a main street in Munster, IN.jpg|thumb|left|Residents boat down Calumet Avenue following the impact of [[Effects of Hurricane Ike in inland North America|Hurricane Ike]].]]

Munster soon became a booming town that attracted many people. Munster saw difficult times through the rough years of the [[Great Depression]]. During the Cold War, Munster served as the site of the Nike-Zeus Missile defense base C-46. The site was closed in 1971 and is now under private ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/6540/northwest.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027154557/http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/6540/northwest.html|title=Nike Missile Sites &ndash; Northwest Indiana / Chicagoland|archive-date=October 27, 2009}}</ref>

In September 2008, Munster's northern portions suffered flooding resulting from the impact of [[Effects of Hurricane Ike in inland North America|Hurricane Ike]], which caused the Little Calumet River to overflow. A main break occurred in the levee located near the intersection of Calumet Avenue and River Drive in the northwest quadrant of the town. Munster has requested the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]] to elevate the levee in low-lying areas. The levee improvements have been completed and the majority of homes destroyed have been rebuilt, in most cases, with larger, more amenity-filled homes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_b71bb091-6afe-5577-85f3-b238f54f84d3.html?mode=story|title=New homes, some supersized, reviving older neighborhoods|author=LU ANN FRANKLIN - Times Correspondent|date=September 10, 2010|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/image_b4fba8d1-e214-54b5-980f-c865be9599e8.html|title=Rise in signed contracts lifts housing market|author=Heather Eidson, file - The Times|date=December 31, 2010|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref>

The 2010 Comprehensive Plan for Munster's next twenty years includes plans for a new town center with shopping and dining to be organized around a proposed train station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/sowerberry/docs/2010_comprehensive_plan_for_munster|title=2010 Comprehensive Plan|work=Issuu}}</ref>

==Demographics==
[[File:White Oak Woods apartments.JPG|thumb|White Oak Woods condominium complex is located right off the [[Pennsy Greenway]] trail.]]

As of 2011, the median income for a household in the town was $75,349 while the mean income for a household in the town was $97,222. The median income for a family was $95,108, and the mean income for a family is the highest in Lake County at $117,985. The estimated per capita income for the town was $36,914. About 2.3% of families and 3.1% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_3YR_DP03&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212211120/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_3YR_DP03&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|title=American FactFinder - Results|author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS)}}</ref>

{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 543
|1920= 605
|1930= 975
|1940= 1751
|1950= 4753
|1960= 10313
|1970= 16514
|1980= 20671
|1990= 19949
|2000= 21511
|2010= 23603
|2020= 23894
|footnote=Source: US Census Bureau
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Munster town, 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 – Munster town, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1851912&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) – Munster town, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1851912&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |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) – Munster town, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1851912&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|19,098
|18,689
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16,343
|88.78%
|79.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |68.40%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|216
|806
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,456
|1.00%
|3.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.09%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|11
|29
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25
|0.05%
|0.12%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|958
|1,369
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,517
|4.45%
|5.80%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.35%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|4
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5
|0.02%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|14
|32
|style='background: #ffffe6; |56
|0.07%
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|160
|266
|style='background: #ffffe6; |770
|0.74%
|1.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.22%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,050
|2,410
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,722
|4.88%
|10.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15.58%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''21,511'''
|'''23,603'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''23,894 '''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref> of 2010, there were 23,603 people, 9,015 households, and 6,540 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3118.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 9,393 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1240.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 85.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 10.2% of the population.

There were 9,015 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

The median age in the town was 44.8 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. The average was done in 1999.

===2000 census===
[[File:West Lakes neighborhood.JPG|thumb|West Lakes neighborhood, established in the late 1990s, is located directly east of the [[Lansing Municipal Airport]].]]

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 21,511 people, 8,091 households, and 6,141 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|2,852.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,339 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,105.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 92.28% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.03% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.06% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.49% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.02% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.88% of the population.

There were 8,091 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 65.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $63,243, and the median income for a family was $74,255. Males had a median income of $53,387 versus $34,490 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $30,952. About 2.8% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Businesses and attractions==
[[File:Three Floyds Distillery.JPG|thumb|left|The newest addition to the [[Three Floyds Brewing|Three Floyds Brewing Company]] is the distillery.]]

The town is home to a number of local, regional and national companies and extensive community resources. Among them are the Community Hospital, the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, ''[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]'' newspaper, a [[PepsiCo]] bottling and distribution facility, a [[Whole Foods Market]] distribution center, the Community Veterans Memorial, the LEED-certified Centennial Park and Golf Course, Kaske House Museum at Heritage Park, Bieker Woods Nature Area, eleven miles of bike paths, an innovative Public Art and Sculpture Program, the new Munster Music Festival, the Munster Centennials Vintage Baseball Team, and the Babe Ruth Baseball.

Munster is also home to the [[Three Floyds Brewing|Three Floyds Brewing Company]], a microbrewery and [[craft beer]]-drinker's destination noted for its "Dark Lord Day" event, which draws 6,000 people every April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/04/26/three-floyds-evil-genius/|title=Three Floyds: Three Floyds takes the cult of craft beer to new levels|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/19757775-418/beer-aficionados-revel-in-dark-lord-day.html|title=News - Post-Tribune|access-date=May 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510031602/http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/19757775-418/beer-aficionados-revel-in-dark-lord-day.html|archive-date=May 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Lake Business Center===
[[File:Homewood Suites in Munster, IN.jpg|thumb|[[Homewood Suites by Hilton]] is one of several new additions to the Lake Business Center.]]

In spring 2011, Simborg Development revitalized plans for a $60 million renovation of the 72-acre Lake Business Center site fronting Calumet Avenue that will open new commercial opportunities for the Town of Munster. This development, originally to be named Munster Town Center that would have created a mixed-use center of retail shops and restaurants, commercial offices, medical facilities as well as an extended-stay hotel, was modified to maintain the warehouse facility and maintain a high-tech image exterior for the development.

A [[Homewood Suites by Hilton]] hotel anchors the north end of the development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/new-hotel-opens-on-munster-s-growing-calumet-corridor/article_df216488-e862-56cb-bed0-368a2b99b6a9.html|title=New hotel opens on Munster's growing Calumet corridor|author=Andrea Holecek - Times Correspondent|date=May 20, 2016|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref>

===Centennial Village===
One of Munster's newest redevelopment projects is the area immediately surrounding the former Munster Steel site, located to the north of the town's Centennial Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/munster-steel-breaks-ground-on-new-facility-in-hammond/article_f42e4ad5-fb7e-5b17-9320-4a17a8ee21f7.html|title=Munster Steel breaks ground on new facility in Hammond|date=October 9, 2013|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref> The area, named "Centennial Village," will be a mixed-use [[transit-oriented development]] that will feature both retail and multi-unit residential housing once it is completed.<ref name=trib>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-munster-project-funding-st-1016-20151015-story.html|title=RDA approves funding for Munster project|author=Chicago Tribune|date=October 15, 2015|work=Post-Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/rda-board-approves-m-to-munster-project/article_725caf51-a901-53b5-93a6-955d6ad0498c.html|title=RDA board approves $6M to Munster project|author=Deborah Laverty - Times Correspondent|date=October 15, 2015|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref> The Calumet Avenue [[grade separation]] has been planned since the early 1940s, with [[Henry Ford]] leading the change. However, American involvement in World War II and the creation of the federal highway system stopped these plans until the present day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/munster/future-clearer-for-calumet-avenue-overhaul-in-munster/article_1185b777-dd69-53b1-b82e-4e9a260b0e25.html|title=Future clearer for Calumet Avenue overhaul in Munster|author=Lu Ann Frankllin - Times Correspondent|date=September 4, 2013|work=nwitimes.com}}</ref>

The project will be completed in two phases; it is part of the larger 45th Avenue/Calumet Avenue underpass and realignment project in which Phase 1 includes extending 45th Avenue east into the Centennial Village development with two new stoplights and creating an underpass under the [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] railroad tracks to align with 45th at Columbia Avenue. Meanwhile, Phase 2 includes creating an underpass at Calumet Avenue.<ref name=trib/> So far, Phase 1 has been completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://regionnewssource.org/watch-now-munster-opens-45th-underpass/|title=Munster Opens 45th Underpass|website=Region News Source}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The commercial airport closest to Munster is the [[Gary/Chicago International Airport]] in Gary, but most Munster residents and visitors travel from Chicago's [[O'Hare International Airport]] or the [[Chicago Midway International Airport]]. [[Lansing Municipal Airport]], located immediately west of Munster in [[Lansing, Illinois]], serves the area's [[general aviation]] market.

Munster lies just south of the [[Borman Expressway|Borman Expressway (I-80/94)]]. Calumet Avenue is a major north–south artery in the town, and becomes [[U.S. Route 41 in Indiana|U.S. Route 41]] just north of the Borman. [[Interstate 65 (Indiana)|Interstate 65]], the [[Indiana Toll Road]], and U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 12 (Indiana)|12]], [[U.S. Route 20 (Indiana)|20]], and [[U.S. Route 30 (Indiana)|30]] are within a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} radius.

Munster will be the site of two stations on the new [[West Lake Corridor]], an extension of the [[South Shore Line]], a [[commuter rail]] train running from Downtown Chicago into northern Indiana.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=Andrew |title=Decades of hopes and plans culminate with start of South Shore projects |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/decades-of-hopes-and-plans-culminate-with-start-of-south-shore-projects/article_567d6e69-f30e-57f3-a4d5-a4aa4929cded.html |website=nwitimes.com |publisher=The Times (Munster, Indiana) |access-date=May 25, 2022 |language=en |date=March 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zorn |first1=Tom |title=Municipalities get on board plans to grow housing, commercial developments as South Shore projects start |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-south-shore-develop-st-0327-20220325-gkhy5twh45bybacjkqidrgng7y-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 25, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022}}</ref> The line is expected to open in late 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sapet |first1=Kerry |title=NICTD updates West Lake timeline |url=https://nwindianabusiness.com/industries/transportation-logistics/nictd-updates-west-lake-timeline/74010/ |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Northwest Indiana Business Magazine |date=29 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gallenberger |first1=Michael |title=West Lake Corridor opening pushed back until late this year |url=https://www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org/local-news/2025-05-29/west-lake-corridor-opening-pushed-back-until-late-this-year |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Lakeshore Public Media |date=29 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Munster Town Hall.jpg|thumb|left|The town hall is located right off Ridge Road, Munster's main historic thoroughfare.]]

The [[School Town of Munster]] is the public school system for all portions of the town.<ref name=SDMapLakeCoIN2020>{{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]]|page=1 (PDF p. 2/3)|access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> All five schools in the system are recognized as Indiana Blue Ribbon schools and have been awarded five-star ratings. [[Munster High School]] is one of several schools from Indiana on ''[[Newsweek]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Top Schools list. The school is also ranked on ''[[The Washington Post]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> 2011 "The High School Challenge".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/munster-munster-in/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318215840/http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/munster-munster-in/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 18, 2012|title=Ranking America's High Schools - The Washington Post}}</ref> Additionally, Munster was cited by Neighborhood Scout for offering the best combination of public school quality and affordable neighborhoods in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/blog/best-schools-affordable-neighborhoods|title=Affordable Neighborhoods with the Best Schools in the U.S.|date=June 15, 2016}}</ref>

In 1875, Munster's school board (which at the time was not officially designated School Town) operated a single three-room school house located on the corner of Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road. According to local records, enrollment did not exceed 50 students in any given year before 1920. In 1913, the school board decided to add a second school building due to increased enrollment. The new Munster school was dedicated in 1915. By the 1940s, the building had expanded to include twelve classrooms, a new gymnasium, and a 60-seat basement auditorium. The school was renamed Lanier School in 1950.

These new additions were not enough to accommodate Munster's rapidly growing population. By 1948, James B. Eads Elementary School was built on Harrison Avenue, for students residing west of Calumet Avenue. In 1952 Earnest R. Elliot Elementary School was built on White Oak Avenue. With the two new elementary schools in operation, Lanier School became a Junior High School (grades 7–9). Following graduation from grade 9, students attended high schools in either Hammond or Highland to complete grades 10–12.

A new, modern facility was planned for the junior high students in the late 1950s. Wilbur Wright Junior High opened in 1960, causing Lanier to downsize to an elementary school. Several classrooms and a resource center were added in the following years.
Amid the continuing expansion of the school system, the board gave serious consideration to adding a high school. The initial proposal encompassed a spacious building designed for 1,200 students and included an athletic facility with a swimming pool. However, the cost of more than $6.2 million did not appeal to the public. In response, a modified design was submitted, and construction began in June 1965. The doors to the new high school opened to students in September 1966.

In 1969, a new elementary school was added. Frank H. Hammond boasted 25 classrooms, an auditorium, and a learning center. When the outdated Lanier school's enrollment dipped in the late 1970s, the board decided to close the facility in 1980.

===Modernization===
[[File:Munster - FHH.JPG|thumb|[[Frank H. Hammond Elementary School]] is the newest of Munster's three public elementary schools.]]

As of 2011, two of Munster's three elementary schools have since been completely rebuilt; the new buildings for James B. Eads Elementary and Earnest R. Elliot Elementary were completed in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Wilbur Wright Middle School has undergone significant expansions and renovations as well. Munster High School dedicated a state-of-the-art football, track and soccer complex in 2010, as well as a $17,000,000 Aquatic Center in January 2011. The latter facility is one of two scholastic aquatic centers in Indiana and the only one that is connected to a high school (the other is [[Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis|IUPUI's]] natatorium). In 2012, a two-story classroom addition was constructed at Munster High School to accommodate the growing student population.

The School Town of Munster implemented a curriculum/technology initiative termed ''1 to 1 Technology'' for the 2011–2012 school year. Designed to enhance the school system's instructional technology infrastructure, the program provides leases on laptop computers to all students in grades 5–12. Initially focused on [[STEM fields]] curricula, the impact of the initiative is eventually expected to reach all subjects, and will better accommodate web-based student assessments.<ref>[http://www.munster.k12.in.us/ParentHandout.pdf] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Private Schools===
Two private schools are located in Munster; St. Thomas More Parish added a school in 1949, available to and St. Paul's Lutheran school is located at 8601 Harrison Ave, and was founded in Hammond in 1886. The church and school moved to Munster in 1981. Both schools are available to elementary and middle school students.

;List of schools - School Town of Munster
* [[Munster High School]]
* Wilbur Wright Middle School
* Ernest R. Elliott Elementary School
* James B. Eads Elementary School
* Frank H. Hammond Elementary School

;List of schools - Private/Parochial
* St. Paul's Pre-school, Elementary, and Middle School ([[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]])
* St. Thomas More Elementary and Middle School (Catholic, [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary|Diocese of Gary]])

==Recreation==
[[File:Centennial Park Golf Course, Munster.JPG|thumb|Centennial Park's nine-hole golf course was designed by Ted Nugent Golf in [[Vernon Hills, Illinois]].]]

Munster has ten parks, three lakes, a nine-hole golf course and driving range, {{convert|11|mi|km|spell=in}} of bike paths, an innovative public art and sculpture program, and two recreational points of interest. Centennial Park, the newest and largest of these facilities, was built on a former landfill and opened in 2007. This award-winning park incorporates several environmentally-friendly design elements conformant to the [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Silver guidelines. Methane gas from the landfill is captured and converted into electricity to power the park.

Centennial Park's amenities include a clubhouse with green roof and banquet facilities, ''The View'' restaurant with outdoor seating, a nine-hole (Tim Nugent of Nugent Golf in [[Vernon Hills, Illinois]].) designed golf course and driving range, a live stage amphitheater, a lake with two bridges, three fountains, fishing opportunities, and a boardwalk, a sculpture walk (in progress), formal botanical gardens, outdoor pavilions, walking trails, access to the Pennsy Greenway, a 3-acre dog park, and soccer fields. Events held at Centennial Park include Munster Music Festival, Grape Escape Wine Festival, July 4 fireworks displays over the lake, and an outdoor movie series.

Community Park is another popular Munster park and hosts the town's annual Car and Motorcycle Show. Features of this facility include an outdoor swimming complex, a skate park, lighted tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball fields, a basketball court, a social center, and picnic areas. The park is located immediately east of the Lake County Public Library's Munster branch.

Little League Baseball was first organized in the town in 1952, and Babe Ruth Baseball was established in 1954. Munster's Babe Ruth All-Star teams have won six state championships since 1985.

;List of parks and recreational facilities – Munster Parks & Recreation
{{div col|colwidth=16em}}
*Beech Park
*Bieker Woods Nature Area
*Bluebird Park
*Briar Creek Park
*Burlwood Park
*Centennial Park
*Cobblestones Park
*Community Park
*Circle Park
*Evergreen Park
*Frank H. Hammond Park
*Grove Park
*Heritage Park & Kaske House Museum
*Military Memorial Park
*Munster Pool
*Orchard Park
*Rotary Park
*Sommerset Park
*Stewart Park
*Sunnyside Park
*Twin Creek Park
*White Oak Park
*The Veterans War Memorial
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
* [[Stephan Bonnar]], mixed martial artist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Erickson|first1=Matt|title=Munster's Stephan Bonnar on career outside the MMA cage: 'I'm not going anywhere'|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/munster-s-stephan-bonnar-on-career-outside-the-mma-cage/article_066c3c5c-6ba5-5a5c-a052-e08e1dcb8218.html|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=June 16, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Todd Donoho]], a radio and television sportscaster, who hosts the post-game show for Missouri Tigers basketball on the statewide Tiger Radio Network.<ref>{{cite news|title=People You Should Know: Todd Donoho|url=http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/3145/2009/01/09/people-you-should-know-todd-donoho/|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=Columbia Business Times|date=January 9, 2009|archive-date=April 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428175315/http://columbiabusinesstimes.com/3145/2009/01/09/people-you-should-know-todd-donoho/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Nan Hayworth]], former U.S. Representative for New York's 19th congressional district.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nan Hayworth|url=http://history.house.gov/People/Detail/15602|website=History, Art and Archives|publisher=US House of Representatives|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Sue Hendrickson]], paleontologist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fiffer|first1=Steve|title=Indiana Bones|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/04/04/indiana-bones/|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|date=April 4, 1999}}</ref>
* [[Jack Hyles]], minister and pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Hammond]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Hyles|url=https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1438348A/Jack_Hyles|website=Open Library|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Tony Kanal]], musician from band [[No Doubt]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wwd.com/eye/people/whatever-happened-to-the-boys-of-no-doubt-dreamcar-debut-10890740/|title=Whatever Happened to the Boys of No Doubt?|last=Nordstrom|first=Leigh|date=May 19, 2017|work=WWD|access-date=January 2, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}
*[[Mark Kruzan]], former mayor of [[Bloomington, Indiana]], State politician.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Susan|title=Munster native leads access panel|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/munster-native-leads-access-panel/article_c464e993-13d8-500c-aaea-2dac162c443d.html|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=May 16, 1998}}</ref>
* [[Jeff Lee (swimmer)]], a former international freestyle swimmer from the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carroll|first1=Jeff|title=Lee could carry a load for Munster|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/lee-could-carry-a-load-for-munster/article_509bac35-d9b6-580a-b13c-66f7529e25a4.html|website=NWI Times|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Joe Mansueto]], founder and CEO of [[Morningstar, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/magazine/19941015/3297_pagen_2.html|title=The Making of an Inc. 500 CEO: My Favorite Job|work=Inc.com}}</ref>
* [[Don McCune]], former professional [[Ten-pin bowling|bowler]], member of the [[Professional Bowlers Association|PBA]] and [[United States Bowling Congress|USBC]] Halls of Fame<ref>{{cite web |title=1973 PBA Bowling #NNO Don McCune|url=https://www.tcdb.com/GalleryP.cfm/pid/60176/Don-McCune |website=tcdb.com |access-date=August 22, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ryan McMahen]], professional soccer player.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nieto|first1=Mike|title=Where Are They Now?: McMahen going back to school|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-soccer/where-are-they-now-mcmahen-going-back-to-school/article_156b52d2-019e-5a21-a77a-5ab5948cdb53.html|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=August 9, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Hal Morris]], Major League Baseball player.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hal Morris Appointed Director, Pro Scouting|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hal-morris-appointed-director-pro-scouting/c-25968576|website=MLB.com|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Mara Candelaria Reardon]], former Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rep. Mara Candelaria-Reardon's Biography|url=http://indianahousedemocrats.org/mara-candelaria-reardon-biography|website=Indiana House Democrats|access-date=November 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207155018/http://indianahousedemocrats.org/mara-candelaria-reardon-biography|archive-date=February 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Jerome Reppa]], lawyer and politician.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerome J. (Jerry) Reppa|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172678993|website=Legacy.com|publisher=NWI Times|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Todd Rokita]], Attorney General of Indiana; Secretary of State of Indiana; U.S. Representative.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Renderman|first1=Vanessa|title=Supreme Court ruling draws mixed reaction from Indiana|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/supreme-court-ruling-draws-mixed-reaction-from-indiana/article_7c245bf2-7485-50ce-b093-1091036d0ee6.html|access-date=November 8, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=June 30, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Irene Herlocker-Meyer]], environmental activist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irene Herlocker-Meyer |url=https://www.infinite-women.com/women/irene-herlocker-meyer/ |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=Infinite Women |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==See also==
* [[Calumet Shoreline]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Hmurovic, Edward N. ''Munster, Indiana''. 2003 ({{ISBN|0738523364}})

==External links==
{{commons-inline}}
* {{Official website|http://www.munster.org}}

{{Lake County, Indiana}}
{{Indiana}}
{{Geographic location
|Center=Munster
|Northwest=[[Lansing, Illinois]]
|North=[[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]]
|Northeast=[[East Chicago]]
|East=[[Highland]]
|Southeast=[[Schererville]]
|South=[[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]]
|Southwest=[[Sauk Village, Illinois]]
}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1907]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Indiana]]