Whiting ZIP Codes — Lake County, IN

There is one unique ZIP code in Whiting, Indiana and it is 46394. Area code: 219.

ZIP codes

4.74

sq mi land

3.44

sq mi water

219

area code

Whiting, IN ZIP code map

About Whiting, IN

Whiting, Indiana, is a vibrant city located in Lake County. Known for its rich cultural history and industrial legacy, Whiting offers a unique blend of community spirit and urban convenience. The city is particularly notable for its waterfront views along Lake Michigan, presenting residents and visitors alike with beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities.

Location & geography

Whiting is situated in the northwestern part of Indiana, approximately 19 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by the cities of East Chicago and Hammond, and is easily accessible via major roadways. The city encompasses a land area of 4.74 square miles and a water area of 3.44 square miles, enhancing its scenic appeal.

Community & economy

The character of Whiting is defined by its close-knit community and vibrant cultural events, often celebrating its diverse heritage. The city has a historical focus on manufacturing and industry, although it has seen various sectors contribute to its economy over the years. Daily life in Whiting is enriched by local festivals, parks, and a strong sense of community pride.

Transportation

Transportation options in Whiting are quite accessible, with major highways such as Interstate 90 and Interstate 94 providing convenient routes for travel. The nearest airport is the Chicago Midway International Airport, located approximately 30 miles away. Public transit, including bus services, connects the city to surrounding areas, making it easy for residents to commute.

History

Whiting was founded in the late 19th century and has historically been known for its heavy industry, particularly the oil refining and steel production sectors. Over the years, the city has witnessed significant growth, largely influenced by its strategic location near Lake Michigan. Notable events, such as the annual pierogi festival, celebrate the city's rich cultural heritage and connect the community.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Whiting is that it hosts the largest 4th of July parade in the region, drawing visitors from various neighboring cities. Additionally, the city is home to the historic Whiting Lakefront Park, which offers recreational space and stunning views of the lake.

ZIP codes for Whiting, IN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
46394	Whiting	Lake	View map

Demographics & statistics

12,117

Population

40.2

Median age

$65,212

Median household income

$32,717

Per capita income

$153,800

Median home value

$917

Median monthly rent

66.0%

Home ownership

15.5%

Poverty rate

5.5%

Unemployment

3,756

Housing units

23.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

347

Under 5

330

302

5–9

287

391

10–14

372

439

15–19

418

397

20–24

379

867

25–34

826

784

35–44

746

639

45–54

609

387

55–59

368

519

60–64

494

649

65–74

618

297

75–84

283

189

85+

180

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,549	21.0%
18 and over	9,568	79.0%
65 and over	2,216	18.3%
Median age	40.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 47.4%

Hispanic or Latino 22.4%

Other race 17.2%

Two or more races 6.5%

Black or African American 3.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2%

Asian 0.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,395	47.4%
Hispanic or Latino	3,499	22.4%
Other race	2,687	17.2%
Two or more races	1,016	6.5%
Black or African American	612	3.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	308	2%
Asian	89	0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	10	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.2%

$10k–$15k 3.5%

$15k–$25k 7.2%

$25k–$35k 7.3%

$35k–$50k 12.4%

$50k–$75k 17.2%

$75k–$100k 20.9%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 6.2%

$200k+ 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.2%
$10k–$15k	3.5%
$15k–$25k	7.2%
$25k–$35k	7.3%
$35k–$50k	12.4%
$50k–$75k	17.2%
$75k–$100k	20.9%
$100k–$150k	13.4%
$150k–$200k	6.2%
$200k+	3.7%
Median income	$65,212

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.7%

$50k–$100k 10.9%

$100k–$150k 30.8%

$150k–$200k 35.0%

$200k–$300k 12.1%

$300k–$500k 5.3%

$500k–$1M 0.9%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$153,800
Median rent / month	$917
Owner occupied	66.0%
Renter occupied	34.0%
Vacant	8.9%
Single-family detached	69.8%
Large apartment buildings	1.7%
Mobile homes	1.3%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.34

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	1.4%
1990–1999	0.6%
1980–1989	1.3%
1970–1979	2.6%
1960–1969	4.5%
1950–1959	13.3%
1940–1949	17.4%
1939 or earlier	55.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	35.9%
3 bedrooms	36.7%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.4%
1 vehicle	37.5%
2 vehicles	36.1%
3 or more	18.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	83.9%
Electricity	9.1%
Propane / LP gas	1.3%
Fuel oil	4.5%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,692	34.1%
Cohabiting couple	564	11.4%
Male householder, no spouse	1,226	24.7%
Female householder, no spouse	1,473	29.7%
Households with children under 18	1,248	25.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,652	33.3%
Average household size	2.43

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	45.1%	36.9%
Married	36.3%	35.8%
Separated	1.0%	2.0%
Widowed	5.3%	10.5%
Divorced	12.2%	14.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.1%

Some HS, no diploma 6.8%

HS graduate 39.7%

Some college, no degree 17.5%

Associate's degree 5.0%

Bachelor's degree 19.1%

Graduate / professional 4.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.1%
Bachelor's or higher	23.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	132	5.1%
Kindergarten	103	4.0%
Elementary school	1,146	44.5%
High school	677	26.3%
College / grad school	517	20.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.7%

Education & healthcare 14.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.2%

Retail trade 10.0%

Professional & management 9.9%

Construction 7.6%

Transportation & utilities 6.8%

Other services 4.5%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Public administration 2.7%

Information 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.3%
Service	16.1%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	8.0%
Production & transportation	24.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	88.7%
Government	8.5%
Self-employed	2.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.1%
Carpool	8.9%
Public transit	3.2%
Walk	3.7%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.9

Poverty

All people 15.5%

Under 18 years 19.1%

18 and over 14.5%

Married-couple families 4.1%

Female-led households 26.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.5%
Retirement income	27.1%
Supplemental Security	5.4%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.0%
High cholesterol	31.2%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	27.3%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.3%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.2%
No physical activity	31.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.2%
Fair or poor health	19.9%
Poor mental health	15.4%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	21.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.4%
Visited dentist	56.4%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	18.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	647	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.9%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	12.0%
65 and over	37.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.3%
Public insurance	38.8%
Uninsured under 19	5.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	11,440	94.4%
Spanish	939	8.2%
Other Indo-European	877	7.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	6	0.1%
Other languages	56	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,907	90.0%
Born in same state	10,417	86.0%
Born in different state	6,263	51.7%
Foreign born	490	4.0%
Naturalized citizen	1,210	10.0%
Not a US citizen	626	51.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,302	10.7%
French	509	4.2%
Arab	222	1.8%
English	200	1.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	169	1.4%
Norwegian	24	0.2%
Dutch	7	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.9%
Internet access	90.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Whiting, IN have?

Whiting, IN has one ZIP code: 46394. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.