Town Profile
Chesterton, Indiana was established in 1852, yet was not referred to as Chesterton until 1869. According to the 2010 census, the community has grown to 13,068 residents that have a median age of 37.8 years. The town's close proximity to Chicago and transportation infrastructure has significantly contributed to the town's development. The close-knit community has attracted tourists with its small town charm, unique annual festivals, proximity to Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes, and more.
"Chesterton has always been and will always be a diverse community based on income levels, education, location, and workforce. It thrives on its blending of all the above," 2011 Town Council President, Sharon Darnell said. "Without the marvelous mix we have, we would have been stunted in the latest economic times. Our census shows a 24% increase and that is definitely encouraging as Chesterton being the place to be." Here is a photo gallery of the Town Profile.
Basic Facts
- Location: Northwest Indiana
- Townships: Westchester, Liberty, and Jackson
- County: Porter
- School District: Duneland School Corporation
- Area: 8.6 square miles
- Area Code: 219
- Zip Code: 46304
- Local Newspaper: Chesterton Tribune
- Map of Chesterton
Housing Information
Within Chesterton, there are a total of 5,029 inhabited households according to the 2010 census. The average household size is estimated to be 2.58 persons per household and the average number of individuals per family is 3.07. The graph above, on the left, demonstrates the town's housing occupancy distribution. 5,354 housing units occupy Chesterton, of them 325 units represent vacancies; 126 units are for rent and 76 units are for sale. The graph above on the right, exemplifies the variance among household types. Most residences are considered family households (3,554) and second to family households are husband / wife households (2,723). Households solely occupied by males 65 and older, represent the smallest percentage (1.9) of Chesterton's households. (Source Census Bureau 2010)
Porter County Average Housing Prices (calculated in 2009)
- Detached Houses: $205,278
- Townhouses or other attached units: $248,861
- 2 unit structures: $191,076
- 5 or more unit structures: $386,027
Chesterton Average Housing Prices (calculated in 2009)
- Detached Houses: $161,910
- Townhouses or other attached units: $96,163
- 2 unit structures: $74,846
- 5 or more unit structures: $365,741
Climate and Weather
- Average annual temperature: 49.6° F
- Average annual high temperature: 59.5° F
- Average annual low temperature: 39.9° F
- Average number of days with rain: 134.2 days
Demographics
The average age of Chesterton's population is 37.8 years. The age group that represents the largest percentage of the population, according to the defined age groups illustrated in the graph above (on the right) is 10-14 (8.1%). Ages 80-84 (1.3%) represent the smallest percentage of the population. The male population consists of 6,361 and the female population 6,707. (Source Census Bureau 2010)
Household Income (2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
- Median household income: $54,473
- Mean household income: $68,397
Crime Statistics
Crimes reported by Chesterton Police Dept, Indiana
| Year | Population | Violent crime | Murder | Forcible rape | Robbery | Aggravated assault | Property crime | Burglary | Larceny | Vehicle theft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11214 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 364 | 70 | 274 | 20 |
| 2005 | 11634 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 320 | 66 | 228 | 26 |
| 2006 | 12112 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 321 | 71 | 229 | 21 |
| 2007 | 12746 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 324 | 75 | 231 | 18 |
| 2008 | 12830 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 352 | 60 | 284 | 8 |
| 2009 | 12968 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 235 | 45 | 184 | 6 |
Sources: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports as prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data
Economic Characteristics
As is demonstrated in the graph above (on the left), the largest component of Chesterton's workforce is made up of citizens working in educational services, health care, and social assistance (21.7%). 16.1% of the workforce participates in the manufacturing industry. The graph above on the right represents the different occupations held by Chesterton residents.
Education (2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
- Percentage of High School Graduates: 94.0%
- Percentage with Bachelor Degree and Higher: 30.3%
Porter County
- Population: 164,343
- High School Graduates, Percentage of the Population 25 years +: 91.6%
- With Bachelor's Degree and Higher: 24.1%
- Median Household Income (2009): $60,718
- Land Area: 418.1 square miles