East Chicago, IN Demographics

A map of East Chicago's Population by Race

East Chicago, Indiana has an estimated population of 26,022, a slight decrease from the 26,370 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 57.2% Hispanic, 36.1% Black, 6.1% White, 0.5% Multiracial, 0.2% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of East Chicago, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

East Chicago has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Indiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In East Chicago, that probability was 56.5% in 2020 and 53.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

East Chicago is ranked the 40th most populous place in Indiana, out of 976 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). East Chicago was ranked the 39th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

East Chicago's White Population

1,576 residents of East Chicago, or 6.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in East Chicago is significantly lower than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. East Chicago ranks 696th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's White population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. White residents' share of East Chicago's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.1%.

East Chicago is more White than neighboring Calumet City (5.6% White). East Chicago is less White than neighboring Whiting (29.8% White), Hammond (32.5% White), Burnham (9.4% White), and Highland (65.7% White).

East Chicago's Black Population

9,386 residents of East Chicago, or 36.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in East Chicago is significantly higher than in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. East Chicago ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.5%. Black residents' share of East Chicago's population has decreased from 39.3% to 36.1%.

East Chicago is more Black than neighboring Whiting (3.4% Black), Hammond (22.5% Black), and Highland (8.7% Black). East Chicago is less Black than neighboring Burnham (63.6% Black), and Calumet City (75.1% Black).

East Chicago's Asian Population

1 residents of East Chicago, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in East Chicago is slightly lower than in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. East Chicago ranks 423rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's Asian population has declined by an estimated 98.2%. Asian residents' share of East Chicago's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

East Chicago is less Asian than neighboring Hammond (1.5% Asian), Burnham (0.2% Asian), Highland (1.8% Asian), and Calumet City (0.2% Asian).

East Chicago's Hispanic Population

14,888 residents of East Chicago, or 57.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in East Chicago is significantly higher than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. East Chicago ranks 4th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.4%. Hispanic residents' share of East Chicago's population has increased from 52.6% to 57.2%.

East Chicago is more Hispanic than neighboring Hammond (40.2% Hispanic), Burnham (25.8% Hispanic), Highland (20.3% Hispanic), and Calumet City (16.3% Hispanic). East Chicago is less Hispanic than neighboring Whiting (65.3% Hispanic).

East Chicago's Native American/Other Population

47 residents of East Chicago, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in East Chicago is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. East Chicago ranks 324th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 60.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of East Chicago's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

East Chicago is less Native American/Other than neighboring Whiting (0.4% Native American/Other), Hammond (0.5% Native American/Other), Burnham (0.3% Native American/Other), Highland (0.4% Native American/Other), and Calumet City (0.3% Native American/Other).

East Chicago's Multiracial Population

124 residents of East Chicago, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in East Chicago is slightly lower than in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. East Chicago ranks 649th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, East Chicago's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 65.1%. Multiracial residents' share of East Chicago's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.5%.

East Chicago is less Multiracial than neighboring Whiting (1.1% Multiracial), Hammond (2.7% Multiracial), Burnham (0.7% Multiracial), Highland (3.1% Multiracial), and Calumet City (2.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.