Lake County, Indiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake County, Indiana | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Indiana |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1837 |
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| Seat | Crown Point |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,622 km² (626 mi²) 1,287 km² (497 mi²) 335 km² (129 mi²), 20.65% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
484,564 975/sq mi (376/km²) |
| Website: http://www.lakecountyin.org/ | |
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 484,564, making it Indiana's second largest county. The county seat is Crown Point6. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.
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[edit] History
Lake County was formed in 1837. It was named for its location on Lake Michigan.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,622 km² (626 mi²). 1,287 km² (497 mi²) of it is land and 335 km² (129 mi²) of it (20.65%) is water.
[edit] Major highways
- Interstate 65
- Interstate 80
- Interstate 90
- Interstate 94
- U.S. Highway 6
- U.S. Highway 12
- U.S. Highway 20
- U.S. Highway 30
- U.S. Highway 41
- U.S. Highway 231
- Indiana State Road 2
- Indiana State Road 53
- Indiana State Road 55
[edit] Railroads
- Canadian National Railroad
- Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad
- Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad
- CSX Transportation
- Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway
- Norfolk Southern Railway
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Cook County, Illinois (west and north, in Lake Michigan)
- Porter County (east)
- Jasper County (southeast)
- Newton County (south)
- Kankakee County, Illinois (southwest)
- Will County, Illinois (west)
[edit] Demographics
| Lake County Population by year |
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2000 484,564 |
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As of the census² of 2000, there were 484,564 people, 181,633 households, and 126,961 families residing in the county. The population density was 376/km² (975/mi²). There were 194,992 housing units at an average density of 151/km² (392/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.72% White, 25.33% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.96% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 12.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 181,633 households out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 16.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,829, and the median income for a family was $50,131. Males had a median income of $41,986 versus $26,393 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,639. About 9.70% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Cedar Lake
- Crown Point
- Dyer
- East Chicago
- Gary
- Griffith
- Hammond
- Highland
- Hobart
- Lake Dalecarlia
- Lake Station
- Lakes of the Four Seasons
- Lowell
- Merrillville
- Munster
- New Chicago
- Schererville
- Schneider
- St. John
- Whiting
- Winfield
[edit] Townships
- Calumet
- Cedar Creek
- Center
- Eagle Creek
- Hanover
- Hobart
- North
- Ross
- St. John
- West Creek
- Winfield
[edit] Education
The administration of public schools in Lake County is divided among 16 corporations and governing bodies, more than any other Indiana county. [1]
- Crown Point Community School Corporation – Web site
- Gary Community School Corporation – Web site
- Griffith Public Schools – Web site
- Hanover Community School Corporation – Web site
- Lake Central School Corporation – Web site
- Lake Ridge Schools Corporation – Web site
- Lake Station Community Schools – Web site
- Merrillville Community School Corporation – Web site
- River Forest Community School Corporation – Web site
- School City of East Chicago – Web site
- School City of Hammond – Web site
- School City of Hobart – Web site
- School City of Whiting – Web site
- School Town of Highland – Web site
- School Town of Munster – Web site
- Tri-Creek School Corporation – Web site
Colleges and Universities
- Calumet College of St. Joseph
- Hyles-Anderson College
- Indiana University Northwest
- Ivy Tech Northwest
- Purdue University Calumet
- Sawyer College
[edit] Major Businesses
- Cargill
- Commonwealth Edison (coal fired powerplant)
- Dietrich Industries (steel framing)
- Harrah's Casino
- Horseshoe Casino
- Lear Corporation (auto interiors)
- Majestic Star Casino
- Mittal Steel
- NiSource
- The Times
- PepsiAmericas
- Post-Tribune
- Unilever
- US Steel
[edit] Indiana State Quarter
The northwest tip of Lake County is seemingly missing from the state outline on the Indiana state quarter. Unlike the similar occurrence with Dade County, Georgia on the Georgia state quarter, fewer complaints were made concerning the omission.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. ISBN 0934213488.
