Lake
Indiana

What stands out

If you had to describe Lake County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is in the top 7% of American counties (93 of 100). Within Indiana it ranks 2nd of 92 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Lake County, Indiana. 497,682 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -19).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,375 a year, higher than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,200. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,958 a year.

Home

The median home costs $253K, pricier than 57% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,047 a month. Property tax is 0.98% of home value, roughly $1,909 a year on that median home, higher than 58% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 53% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.7 years, shorter than 62% of American counties. There are 900 active physicians in the county, about 18.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.7 of 5 stars. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.09 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 9 points. 61% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 61 and lows near 41, colder than 71% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 93 out of 100, riskier than 93% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 271 Mbps down, faster than 84% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 10 breweries.