East Chicago ZIP Codes — Lake County, IN

There is one unique ZIP code in East Chicago, Indiana and it is 46312. Area code: 219.

ZIP codes

14.06

sq mi land

2.06

sq mi water

219

area code

East Chicago, IN ZIP code map

About East Chicago, IN

East Chicago, Indiana, is a vibrant city located within Lake County. Known for its rich industrial history and diverse community, it plays a significant role in the economy of Northwestern Indiana. The city boasts a unique blend of urban development and natural beauty, making it an interesting place for both residents and visitors.

Location & geography

East Chicago is situated along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offering stunning waterfront views. It is bordered by cities such as Hammond to the northeast, Gary to the northwest, and Whiting to the east, with a distance of less than five miles to each. Covering a total area of 14.06 square miles, the city includes approximately 2.06 square miles of water, featuring a mix of urban and waterfront landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of East Chicago is shaped by its diverse population, rich cultural scene, and a strong sense of community. Historically an industrial hub, the city has seen a variety of industries, including steel production and manufacturing, which contribute to daily life and employment opportunities. Residents enjoy a blend of urban amenities and recreational activities, including parks along the waterfront and community events throughout the year.

Transportation

East Chicago is easily accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 90, which provides connections to the greater Chicago area. The nearest airports are Gary/Chicago International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, both catering to domestic flights and regional travel. Local public transit options include bus services that connect East Chicago with neighboring communities.

History

East Chicago was founded in the late 19th century and rapidly developed as an industrial center, particularly known for its steel mills and manufacturing facilities. This growth was driven by its strategic location near Lake Michigan, which facilitated transportation and trade. Over the years, East Chicago has experienced various developments and revitalization efforts that have shaped its community and economy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about East Chicago is that it is home to the East Chicago Marina, which serves as a significant hub for recreational boating in the region. Additionally, the city hosts unique cultural events celebrating its diverse heritage, attracting visitors from all around the area.

ZIP codes for East Chicago, IN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
46312	East Chicago	Lake	View map

Demographics & statistics

26,363

Population

36.0

Median age

$39,434

Median household income

$22,539

Per capita income

$84,900

Median home value

$779

Median monthly rent

43.8%

Home ownership

27.0%

Poverty rate

6.5%

Unemployment

7,059

Housing units

10.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

865

Under 5

889

862

5–9

887

968

10–14

995

1,004

15–19

1,032

815

20–24

838

1,743

25–34

1,793

1,812

35–44

1,865

1,532

45–54

1,576

886

55–59

911

547

60–64

563

1,164

65–74

1,198

523

75–84

538

275

85+

282

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,669	25.3%
18 and over	19,694	74.7%
65 and over	3,980	15.1%
Median age	36.0 years

Race & ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino 28.8%

Black or African American 27.4%

Other race 23.4%

White 14.1%

Two or more races 6.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
Hispanic or Latino	10,677	28.8%
Black or African American	10,136	27.4%
Other race	8,660	23.4%
White	5,209	14.1%
Two or more races	2,274	6.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	53	0.1%
Asian	29	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 13.8%

$10k–$15k 7.9%

$15k–$25k 11.2%

$25k–$35k 11.9%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 11.1%

$100k–$150k 9.2%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

$200k+ 2.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	13.8%
$10k–$15k	7.9%
$15k–$25k	11.2%
$25k–$35k	11.9%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	11.1%
$100k–$150k	9.2%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
$200k+	2.8%
Median income	$39,434

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 17.4%

$50k–$100k 43.7%

$100k–$150k 19.7%

$150k–$200k 9.6%

$200k–$300k 7.3%

$300k–$500k 0.5%

$500k–$1M 1.4%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$84,900
Median rent / month	$779
Owner occupied	43.8%
Renter occupied	56.2%
Vacant	20.5%
Single-family detached	41.9%
Large apartment buildings	6.5%
Mobile homes	0.3%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.79

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.9%
2000–2009	1.7%
1990–1999	3.6%
1980–1989	2.2%
1970–1979	9.8%
1960–1969	10.1%
1950–1959	8.9%
1940–1949	16.0%
1939 or earlier	45.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	17.2%
2 bedrooms	33.8%
3 bedrooms	35.1%
4 bedrooms	9.0%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	19.6%
1 vehicle	43.4%
2 vehicles	24.9%
3 or more	12.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	88.0%
Electricity	8.5%
Propane / LP gas	1.0%
Fuel oil	0.2%
No fuel used	2.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,520	24.8%
Cohabiting couple	752	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	2,589	25.5%
Female householder, no spouse	4,286	42.2%
Households with children under 18	3,512	34.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,996	29.5%
Average household size	2.59

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	52.4%	47.1%
Married	29.1%	26.8%
Separated	2.5%	2.1%
Widowed	3.7%	9.8%
Divorced	12.3%	14.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.1%

Some HS, no diploma 13.4%

HS graduate 40.0%

Some college, no degree 16.6%

Associate's degree 6.9%

Bachelor's degree 6.4%

Graduate / professional 3.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	73.5%
Bachelor's or higher	10.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	454	6.8%
Kindergarten	327	4.9%
Elementary school	2,975	44.3%
High school	1,654	24.6%
College / grad school	1,300	19.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.7%

Manufacturing 17.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.3%

Retail trade 11.6%

Transportation & utilities 8.5%

Professional & management 7.8%

Construction 7.1%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Other services 3.1%

Public administration 3.0%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Information 0.6%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	19.8%
Service	23.8%
Sales & office	20.1%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	27.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.6%
Government	13.8%
Self-employed	3.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.6%
Carpool	15.5%
Public transit	1.3%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.9

Poverty

All people 27.0%

Under 18 years 40.7%

18 and over 22.4%

Married-couple families 11.8%

Female-led households 38.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.2%
Retirement income	21.3%
Supplemental Security	8.1%
Cash public assistance	3.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	33.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.3%
High cholesterol	30.0%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	11.7%
Arthritis	27.9%
Kidney disease	4.3%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	4.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.1%
No physical activity	43.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	40.6%
Fair or poor health	30.8%
Poor mental health	17.6%
Poor physical health	16.2%
No health insurance	30.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.2%
Visited dentist	42.8%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	26.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	673	3.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	5.2%
18–64 years	15.4%
65 and over	41.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	46.0%
Public insurance	52.3%
Uninsured under 19	3.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	24,609	93.3%
Spanish	3,783	15.4%
Other Indo-European	3,755	15.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	28	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	22,314	84.6%
Born in same state	21,448	81.4%
Born in different state	13,382	50.8%
Foreign born	866	3.3%
Naturalized citizen	4,049	15.4%
Not a US citizen	1,452	35.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	166	0.6%
French	140	0.5%
Arab	126	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	72	0.3%
Norwegian	12	0%
English	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.5%
Internet access	81.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does East Chicago, IN have?

East Chicago, IN has one ZIP code: 46312. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.