Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Chesterton, IN Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#140/341 Population

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. See products & pricing →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

14,446

Median Agei

38.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

86.2%12,447

Hispanic/Latino

6.2%902

Two or More

4%583

Asian

1.9%272

Black

1.7%242

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.3%433

High School Diploma

25.8%2,623

Some College (<1 yr)

5.1%519

Some College (1+ yr)

13%1,317

Associate's Degree

6.4%645

Bachelor's Degree

29.4%2,989

Master's Degree

10.6%1,077

Professional Degree

1.4%140

Doctorate

1.1%109

HS or Higher

97%

BA or Higher

42.5%

Graduate+

13.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$300,900

Median Renti

$1,274

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

75.1%4,512

Renter-Occupied

24.9%1,492

Total Units

6,317

Homeownership

75.1%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

1.7%77

$50K–$100K

3.3%150

$100K–$150K

4.7%214

$150K–$200K

13.3%601

$200K–$300K

26.6%1,202

$300K–$500K

42.6%1,923

$500K–$1M

6.6%296

$1M+

1.1%49

Rent Distribution

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

179

$1,000–$1,250

412

$1,250–$1,500

231

$1,500–$2,000

339

$2,000+

158

Year Built

2020 or later

2.8%176

2010–2019

11.6%733

2000–2009

17.5%1,103

1990–1999

12.1%762

1980–1989

7.2%453

1970–1979

15.3%967

1960–1969

10.3%649

1950–1959

9.2%580

1940–1949

2.5%161

1939 or earlier

11.6%733

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

90.3%5,424

Electricity

7.1%428

Bottled/LP Gas

1.9%117

Other

0.6%35

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$91,060

Mean Household Incomei

$116,441

Per Capita Incomei

$50,086

Poverty Ratei

9.2%

Unemploymenti

6.7%

Labor Forcei

7,807

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.3%196

$10K–$15K

2.4%145

$15K–$20K

3%183

$20K–$25K

2.5%149

$25K–$30K

5%298

$30K–$35K

2.3%141

$35K–$40K

2.9%172

$40K–$45K

2.8%171

$45K–$50K

2%119

$50K–$60K

6.5%393

$60K–$75K

9.5%573

$75K–$100K

12.5%751

$100K–$125K

12.2%731

$125K–$150K

8.2%494

$150K–$200K

13.4%806

$200K+

11.4%682

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

6194.3%

By Region

Top Countries

India

China

Mexico

Canada

Philippines

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

7,210

Avg. Commutei

25.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

7,283

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

712(6.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

96.3%Insured

3.7%Uninsured