Chesterton ZIP Codes — Porter County, IN

There is one unique ZIP code in Chesterton, Indiana and it is 46304. Area code: 219.

ZIP codes

57.78

sq mi land

4.00

sq mi water

219

area code

Chesterton, IN ZIP code map

About Chesterton, IN

Chesterton, Indiana, is a charming town located within Porter County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and vibrant community life, it attracts both residents and visitors alike. With a rich history and a strategic location, Chesterton serves as a lovely gateway to many nearby attractions in northwestern Indiana.

Location & geography

Nestled in the northwestern part of Indiana, Chesterton is approximately 15 miles west of Gary and about 50 miles southeast of Chicago. The town itself spans a land area of 57.78 square miles and features 4.00 square miles of water, including the nearby Indiana Dunes National Park. The terrain is marked by beautiful landscapes and waterways, making it an appealing destination for nature lovers.

Community & economy

Chesterton boasts a strong sense of community characterized by local events and family-friendly activities. The town is known for its diverse industries, with agriculture and tourism playing key roles in its economy. Daily life in Chesterton is enhanced by a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational opportunities that cater to residents and visitors alike.

Transportation

Chesterton is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 20 and Indiana State Road 49, which provide convenient connections to neighboring areas. The nearest major airport is the Gary/Chicago International Airport, located about 20 miles away, facilitating travel for both business and leisure. Public transit options are available, offering additional convenience for residents.

History

Founded in the mid-19th century, Chesterton has a rich history tied to its early railway developments. The town grew substantially due to its location near vital transportation routes and attracted various industries over the years. Notable events include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate Chesterton’s heritage and community spirit.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Chesterton is that it is home to the annual Chesterton European Market, which showcases local artisans and vendors, attracting visitors from all around. Additionally, the nearby Indiana Dunes are recognized for their stunning natural beauty and recreational opportunities, making Chesterton a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Chesterton, IN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
46304	Chesterton	Porter	View map

Demographics & statistics

27,204

Population

39.1

Median age

$86,263

Median household income

$44,804

Per capita income

$255,700

Median home value

$1,121

Median monthly rent

77.1%

Home ownership

9.1%

Poverty rate

6.0%

Unemployment

9,102

Housing units

34.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

938

Under 5

945

779

5–9

785

794

10–14

800

726

15–19

732

623

20–24

629

1,771

25–34

1,785

2,198

35–44

2,215

1,640

45–54

1,654

889

55–59

897

822

60–64

829

1,474

65–74

1,485

611

75–84

616

282

85+

285

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,169	22.7%
18 and over	21,035	77.3%
65 and over	4,753	17.5%
Median age	39.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.5%

Two or more races 5.5%

Hispanic or Latino 4.5%

Asian 1.8%

Black or African American 1.4%

Other race 1.4%

Group	Count	%
White	24,337	85.5%
Two or more races	1,559	5.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1,273	4.5%
Asian	515	1.8%
Black or African American	400	1.4%
Other race	393	1.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.7%

$10k–$15k 2.4%

$15k–$25k 4.5%

$25k–$35k 7.1%

$35k–$50k 10.8%

$50k–$75k 14.8%

$75k–$100k 15.6%

$100k–$150k 21.2%

$150k–$200k 11.0%

$200k+ 9.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.7%
$10k–$15k	2.4%
$15k–$25k	4.5%
$25k–$35k	7.1%
$35k–$50k	10.8%
$50k–$75k	14.8%
$75k–$100k	15.6%
$100k–$150k	21.2%
$150k–$200k	11.0%
$200k+	9.0%
Median income	$86,263

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.7%

$50k–$100k 2.8%

$100k–$150k 8.4%

$150k–$200k 15.7%

$200k–$300k 37.1%

$300k–$500k 25.7%

$500k–$1M 6.6%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$255,700
Median rent / month	$1,121
Owner occupied	77.1%
Renter occupied	22.9%
Vacant	5.1%
Single-family detached	72.9%
Large apartment buildings	1.9%
Mobile homes	2.9%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.56

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	10.6%
2000–2009	18.0%
1990–1999	14.4%
1980–1989	7.9%
1970–1979	14.3%
1960–1969	9.3%
1950–1959	9.8%
1940–1949	3.5%
1939 or earlier	12.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	4.8%
2 bedrooms	21.8%
3 bedrooms	45.8%
4 bedrooms	22.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	30.5%
2 vehicles	41.6%
3 or more	23.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	90.3%
Electricity	7.1%
Propane / LP gas	1.6%
Fuel oil	0.2%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,704	51.6%
Cohabiting couple	1,127	10.2%
Male householder, no spouse	1,912	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	2,301	20.8%
Households with children under 18	3,445	31.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,179	28.8%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.8%	26.1%
Married	55.1%	51.3%
Separated	1.0%	0.9%
Widowed	3.4%	8.0%
Divorced	11.7%	13.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 2.8%

HS graduate 31.7%

Some college, no degree 20.7%

Associate's degree 9.3%

Bachelor's degree 23.7%

Graduate / professional 10.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.1%
Bachelor's or higher	34.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	539	9.1%
Kindergarten	300	5.1%
Elementary school	2,261	38.1%
High school	1,399	23.6%
College / grad school	1,440	24.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 19.1%

Education & healthcare 18.7%

Finance & real estate 11.9%

Retail trade 8.9%

Construction 8.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Professional & management 7.8%

Transportation & utilities 5.9%

Other services 4.8%

Public administration 2.1%

Wholesale trade 2.0%

Information 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	44.2%
Service	12.0%
Sales & office	16.8%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	15.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	86.1%
Government	9.2%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.5%
Carpool	5.4%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.0

Poverty

All people 9.1%

Under 18 years 11.6%

18 and over 8.4%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 27.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	29.5%
Retirement income	26.8%
Supplemental Security	2.7%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.6%
High cholesterol	31.4%
Heart disease	5.8%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	23.8%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	6.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.7%
No physical activity	22.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.9%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	14.3%
Poor physical health	9.5%
No health insurance	11.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.3%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,550	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.0%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	8.7%
65 and over	28.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	83.0%
Public insurance	28.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	25,321	93.1%
Spanish	268	1.1%
Other Indo-European	144	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	66	0.3%
Other languages	58	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	26,033	95.7%
Born in same state	25,887	95.2%
Born in different state	17,429	64.1%
Foreign born	146	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	1,171	4.3%
Not a US citizen	814	69.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,029	14.8%
French	2,697	9.9%
Arab	774	2.8%
English	614	2.3%
Polish	410	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	247	0.9%
German	143	0.5%
Norwegian	103	0.4%
Dutch	81	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.6%
Internet access	95.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chesterton, IN have?

Chesterton, IN has one ZIP code: 46304. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.