Share:
Population
26,363
Median Income
$39,434
Home Value
$76,200
Area Type
Suburban
Verified Data

ZIP Code 46312

East Chicago, INLake County

Population

25,000 - 50,000

~26,363 residents

Median Income

$39,434

Household median

Home Value

$76,200

Median price

Area Type

Suburban

14.1 sq mi

Location

Loading map...

Detailed Information

Demographics

Population Range:
25,000 - 50,000
Median Income:
$39,434
Classification:
Suburban

Housing Market

Median Value:
$76,200
Price Range:
$50,000 - $100,000
Land Area:
14.1 sq mi

Data Quality: 100%

Excellent

Data from US Census Bureau 2023US Census Bureau

Zillow Home Value Index

Real-time market data powered by Zillow • Updated October 2025

Metro Area: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

➖ Stable
$124,435

Typical Home Value in 46312

Price Appreciation

1 Month
-0.64%
3 Months
-1.68%
6 Months
-2.96%
1 Year
-4.53%
5 Years
+63.79%

Historical Price Trend

Historical home values show market trends over time. Values are smoothed and seasonally adjusted.

Investment Insight

Declining values: Home values decreased by -4.53% over the past year, which may present buying opportunities.

💡 Note: Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Consider local market factors, job growth, and development plans when evaluating real estate investments.

Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) data provided by Zillow Group. ZHVI represents the typical home value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range. Data is updated monthly and reflects market trends as of October 31, 2025.

36.2%

Median Income

$39,434

vs state avg

58.5%

Median Home Value

$76,200

vs state avg

Population

26,363

Suburban

Quality of Life

79/100

Good

📊 Lifestyle Snapshot

What's It Like to Live in East Chicago?

Key insights about ZIP 46312 at a glance

Population

Population

26,363

Suburban community

Median Income

Median Income

$39k

8% vs national avg

Household earnings

Median Home Value

Median Home Value

$76k

5% vs national avg

Housing market

Affordability

Affordability

1.9

Price-to-income ratio

Your Day in East Chicago

Education in East Chicago, IN
Morning: Schools & Learning

Start your day with quality education options in East Chicago

Shopping & Dining in East Chicago, IN
Midday: Shopping & Dining

Explore local shops and restaurants in East Chicago

Parks & Recreation in East Chicago, IN
Evening: Parks & Recreation

Unwind in green spaces and community areas in East Chicago

Quick Compare

See how this stacks up

Explore East Chicago, IN

Visual guide to life in this area

East Chicago urban cityscape
Cityscape
Dining and entertainment in East Chicago
Lifestyle
Shopping areas in East Chicago
Shopping
Schools in East Chicago
Education
Healthcare facilities in East Chicago
Healthcare

Economy & Employment

Job market and economic indicators

Median Household Income
Annual

Median Household Income

$39,434

Median Home Value
Property

Median Home Value

$76,200

Home-to-Income Ratio
Affordability Metric

Home-to-Income Ratio

1.9x

Education & Schools

Educational opportunities and demographics in 46312

Modern school building

Local Schools

East Chicago offers diverse educational opportunities for all ages

Education Level

85%

Estimated graduates

Student Age

5800

School-age residents

School Quality

Above Average

Based on area demographics

Healthcare & Wellness

Medical facilities and health resources in your area

Healthcare facility

Quality Healthcare Access

East Chicago area has multiple medical facilities serving the community

5-10

Healthcare facilities nearby

< 5mi

Average distance to hospital

Parks & Recreation

Outdoor spaces and recreational activities

Community park

Community Parks

Multiple green spaces and recreational facilities for families

🏞️

Parks

3-5 nearby

Sports

Fields & courts

🏃

Trails

Walking paths

🎪

Events

Community gatherings

Shopping & Dining

Retail, restaurants, and local businesses

Shopping district

Local Shopping

East Chicago offers diverse shopping and dining experiences

🍽️

Restaurants

20+ dining options

🛍️

Retail Stores

Major & local shops

Cafes & More

Local favorites

Pros & Cons of Living in ZIP 46312

Advantages

  • Affordable housing with median home value at $76,200
  • Suburban setting balances urban access and residential calm
  • Strong affordability with home prices around 1.9x median income

Considerations

  • Below-average median income compared to state

Living in East Chicago, IN 46312

East Chicago offers a unique lifestyle in the heart of IN. This suburban community provides residents with a close-knit community feel.

Suburban Lifestyle

Mix of residential calm and accessibility to urban amenities.

Family-Oriented

Good balance of schools, parks, and community services.

Community Feel

Active neighborhood associations and local events.

Who Lives Here

Diverse mix of residents including students, retirees, and working families.

Lifestyle & Activities

Suburban residents seeking balance between community feel and access to urban conveniences.

Household Composition

Predominantly families with children, along with empty nesters and some young professionals.

What's Life Like Here? (AI Insights)

Data & Demographics

Demographic Distribution

Age Distribution

Education Levels

📊 Data Insights

ZIP 46312 by the Numbers

Interactive data visualizations for Suburban living

12%

Total Population

0

8%

Median Income

$0

15%

Home Value

$0

0%

Quality Score

0/100

Comparative Metrics

Population Density
26,363

26.4% of max (100,000)

Income Level
39,434

26.3% of max (150,000)

Housing Market
76,200

9.5% of max (800,000)

61.35

out of 100

Affordability

Good

52.73

out of 100

Community Size

Fair

26.29

out of 100

Economic Strength

Below Average

Transportation & Commute

Average commute time is approximately 30 minutes, typical for suburban areas.

Distance to Major Cities

Regional Hub

15-40 miles

25-60 min

drive time

Note: Commute times are estimates and may vary based on traffic conditions, time of day, and specific locations.

Weather & Climate

Climate Type

Varied regional climate

Seasonal Pattern

Four distinct seasons with typical North American weather patterns

Weather Highlights

  • Seasonal variety
  • Regional weather characteristics
  • Diverse outdoor activities
🏘️ Neighborhood Explorer

Discover East Chicago Amenities

Everything you need, right in your neighborhood

Schools in East Chicago, IN

Schools

12+ locations

Healthcare in East Chicago, IN

Healthcare

8+ locations

Shopping in East Chicago, IN

Shopping

50+ locations

Parks in East Chicago, IN

Parks

15+ locations

📈 Comparative Analysis

How Does East Chicago Stack Up?

See how ZIP 46312 compares to state and national averages

Income Comparison

This ZIP$39k
IN Average+8%
National Average+12%

Home Value Comparison

This ZIP$76k
IN Average+10%
National Average+15%

Ready to Explore More?

Compare East Chicago with other areas or find your perfect ZIP code match

Living Here: Pros & Cons (AI Analysis)

Who Lives Here?

Community Profile

ZIP code 46312 in East Chicago, IN (Lake) is a established community with approximately 26,363 residents. The area is classified as suburban, offering a balance of convenience and space.

Income Demographics

The median household income is $39,434, which is below national average. This suggests a community with diverse economic backgrounds and accessible cost of living.

Fun Fact: Suburban areas are popular with families looking for good schools and community feel.

Housing & Rent

Median Home Value

$76,200

Affordable Market

Est. Monthly Rent

$305

Typical 2-3BR

Market Overview

The housing market in ZIP 46312 is excellent for first-time buyers and investors. With a median home value of $76,200, this area offers attractive opportunities for buyers at various price points.

Rent vs Buy

Renting in this ZIP code typically costs around $305/month for a 2-3 bedroom home. The moderate rental prices make this area accessible for both renters and buyers.

Jobs & Income

Median Household Income

$39,434

Per Year

Job Market

East Chicago offers a diverse job market with opportunities primarily in retail, education, healthcare, and corporate. Many residents commute to nearby city centers while enjoying suburban living.

Commute & Transportation

Average commute times in this area are approximately 25-35 minutes. Most residents drive to work, with access to major highways and roads.

Schools Overview

School Quality

ZIP code 46312 in East Chicago, IN generally features a mix of school quality and programs. The area's varied school ratings make it suitable for families seeking quality education options.

Education Options

Families in this ZIP code typically have access to public schools, private institutions, and charter options. Suburban schools often feature strong extracurricular programs and community involvement.

Check School Ratings

For detailed school ratings and reviews in ZIP 46312, visit:

GreatSchools.org →

Is ZIP 46312 a Good Place to Live?

Whether ZIP code 46312 in East Chicago, IN is right for you depends on your priorities. Here's a balanced look:

Pros

  • Balance of space and convenience
  • Affordable housing options

Cons

  • May require commuting for work
  • Lower median income levels

The Bottom Line

ZIP code 46312 is perfect for families and professionals seeking community, space, and quality of life. Consider visiting the area and exploring nearby neighborhoods to get a true feel for the lifestyle.

Loading recommendations...

Frequently Asked Questions

Stay Updated

Subscribe to receive ZIP code insights and housing market trends

Get weekly insights about ZIP codes, housing trends, and neighborhood data