Whiting, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Whiting is a city located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Lake County, Indiana
, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan
. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop
and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side
. Whiting is home to Whiting Refinery
, the largest oil refinery in the Midwest. The population was 4,997 at the 2010 census.
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (46.34%) is water.
The Whiting post office (46394) serves not only the City of Whiting, but also the adjacent Hammond
neighborhood of Robertsdale, immediately to the west. Addresses in this Hammond neighborhood show “Whiting, Indiana.” While not legally a part of the City of Whiting, locally the area has long been informally considered to be a culturally integrated part of Whiting. References to Whiting businesses or residents often include those technically from Hammond’s Robertsdale.
of 2000, there were 5,137 people, 2,091 households, and 1,281 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,914.1 people per square mile (1,126.9/km²). There were 2,313 housing units at an average density of 1,312.1 per square mile (507.4/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 87.37% White, 0.56% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.09% from other races
, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.56% of the population. Largest ancestries: Slovak (18.0%), Polish (17.1%), Irish (16.3%), German (11.5%), English (5.8%), Italian (5.2%). The proportion of Whiting's population claiming Slovak ancestry is among the highest in the United States.
There were 2,091 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,972, and the median income for a family was $40,994. Males had a median income of $33,565 versus $21,981 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,518. About 10.1% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
, a bus service run by Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority, runs through Whiting, connecting it to Hammond and Chicago's East Side
neighborhood.
Airports serving Whiting are Chicago
's O'Hare International Airport
, Midway International Airport, and Gary/Chicago International Airport
located in Gary, Indiana
.
serves Whiting. Whiting High School is the sole public high school serving Whiting. The city is also home to the historic Carnegie Library
, built in 1905. Whiting Public Library is located at 1735 Oliver Street.
shoreline, is the most well known. It is a popular picnic spot for residents of Lake County
, the South Side of Chicago, and Southland
. Whihala Beach County Park is also located next to Whiting Park between Whiting and neighboring Hammond
.
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side
South Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
. Whiting is home to Whiting Refinery
Whiting Refinery
The Whiting Refinery is an oil refinery operated by BP. The facility is primarily located in Whiting, Indiana, USA, though portions of the complex span into the neighboring cities of Hammond and East Chicago....
, the largest oil refinery in the Midwest. The population was 4,997 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Whiting is located at 41°40′34"N 87°29′26"W (41.676027, -87.490460) . According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (46.34%) is water.
The Whiting post office (46394) serves not only the City of Whiting, but also the adjacent Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
neighborhood of Robertsdale, immediately to the west. Addresses in this Hammond neighborhood show “Whiting, Indiana.” While not legally a part of the City of Whiting, locally the area has long been informally considered to be a culturally integrated part of Whiting. References to Whiting businesses or residents often include those technically from Hammond’s Robertsdale.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,137 people, 2,091 households, and 1,281 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,914.1 people per square mile (1,126.9/km²). There were 2,313 housing units at an average density of 1,312.1 per square mile (507.4/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 87.37% White, 0.56% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.56% of the population. Largest ancestries: Slovak (18.0%), Polish (17.1%), Irish (16.3%), German (11.5%), English (5.8%), Italian (5.2%). The proportion of Whiting's population claiming Slovak ancestry is among the highest in the United States.
There were 2,091 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,972, and the median income for a family was $40,994. Males had a median income of $33,565 versus $21,981 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,518. About 10.1% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The South Shore Line provides passenger train service to and from downtown Chicago from the nearby Hammond and East Chicago stations. Amtrak's Wolverine line stops at Hammond–Whiting station in nearby Hammond. Route 1 of Hammond TransitHammond Transit
Hammond Transit System is the provider of bus service in the Chicago suburb of Hammond, Indiana. It features four local intra-city routes and one route that provides access to neighboring Whiting and Chicago's East Side neighborhood. The system was established in 1976 as replacement for the...
, a bus service run by Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority, runs through Whiting, connecting it to Hammond and Chicago's East Side
East Side, Chicago
East Side is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It is located on the far south side of the city, between the Calumet River and the Illinois-Indiana state line, approximately south of Downtown Chicago...
neighborhood.
Airports serving Whiting are Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
, Midway International Airport, and Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop...
located in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
.
Education
School City of WhitingSchool City of Whiting
School City of Whiting is a school district headquartered in Whiting, Indiana, United States. The district serves Whiting.-Schools:The district includes three schools: Nathan Hale Elementary School, Whiting Middle School, and Whiting High School....
serves Whiting. Whiting High School is the sole public high school serving Whiting. The city is also home to the historic Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
, built in 1905. Whiting Public Library is located at 1735 Oliver Street.
Parks
Whiting is home to five parks. Whiting Park, located on the Lake MichiganLake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
shoreline, is the most well known. It is a popular picnic spot for residents of Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
, the South Side of Chicago, and Southland
Chicago Southland
The Chicago Southland is the suburban region south and southwest of the City of Chicago, made up of approximately 70 municipalities. This region has been known as the Chicago Southland by the local populace and regional media for about 20 years....
. Whihala Beach County Park is also located next to Whiting Park between Whiting and neighboring Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
.