Gary and East Chicago have seen more than 10% in population decrease, while St. John and Crown Point see high population increases in the last 10 years, according to 2020 census data.
The Redistricting Data Hub, a nonpartisan group focused on providing individuals, civic organizations and other groups the data, tools and knowledge to participate in the redistricting process, compiled data for which cities and towns in Indiana have increased or decreased in population.
Gary and East Chicago were in the top three of municipalities that saw a population decline from 2010 to 2020, according to the data.
Gary was the top municipality in the state for population decline, with 11,201 people leaving the city, according to the data. In 2010, Gary’s population was 80,294 and in 2020 it fell to 69,093, a nearly 14% decrease, according to the data.
East Chicago was the third highest city with a population decrease in the last 10 years from 29,698 to 26,370 – a decrease of a little over 11% – according to the data.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince and East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland didn’t respond to requests for comment.
State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, said that since about 1960, when East Chicago had a population of about 57,000, the city’s population has been decreasing.
“It’s been going down since then and I can’t pinpoint a reason why,” Randolph said.
But, if he had to guess, Randolph said the economy and the automation and downsizing of industry, like the steel industry, likely played a role. As the economy in the city shrinks and industry shifts, Randolph said, people move away to seek better opportunity.
Another element, Randolph said, is when Chicago Avenue in East Chicago was “cut off” as a connection to the Gary Airport. With that “major artery” road not offering access to the airport, Randolph said, that likely limited business expansion in the city.
“I don’t think crime is any worse that it used to be, so I won’t point to crime,” Randolph said.
St. John and Crown Point saw the largest increases in population over the last 10 years, according to the data.
Crown Point saw just over 24% population increase from 27,317 residents in 2010 to 33,899 residents in 2020, according to the data. During a special city council meeting Monday to discuss the 2022 budget, Crown Point Mayor David Uran said the city’s growth translates to employees working harder to serve more residents.
“We probably, per capita, have one of the lowest workforces for that size city as well. Our employees do more with less as far as on-the-ground help,” Uran said as he proposed a 6% raise for full-time employees. The proposal will be voted on at the council’s September meeting.
In St. John, population increased by nearly 37% from 14,859 residents in 2010 to 20,303 residents in 2020, according to the data.
Lake County Councilman Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, who represents portions of St. John, said he believes that people are moving to the town to avoid Illinois taxes and politics.
“St. John has a lot of growth potential,” Dernulc said. “Right now, they have a good fit of good leadership and a lot of land.”
But, Dernulc said, with growth comes a need to expand infrastructure, such as roads, and making sure that there is a right blend of homes and businesses to maintain St. John’s rural feel. But, unfortunately, Dernulc said, St. John will become less rural as it grows.
If residents want to maintain a rural feel, Dernulc said, then they should hold off on selling their land. However, Dernulc said, the town also needs to be prepared for those who do choose to sell their land to developers.
“The land owners will have control of the land they own. But, if the land is sold, the town needs a plan for that growth,” Dernulc said.
Gerald Swets, St. John Town Council President, said the city has a plan to balance housing types, including single-family homes, to form neighborhoods within the town but also maintain open land.
The town’s growth is “right where we thought it would be,” adding that officials have been projecting that the growth will reach 20,000 residents in the 2020 census, Swets said.
The challenge with growth, Swets said, is that the state only allows increasing the tax assessment by 3% every year and St. John has been expanding between 7% and 10% every year. Without the additional tax revenue, Swets said, it’s difficult to fund infrastructure needs in the town.
But, Swets said, the population growth is likely because St. John is at the edge of the “metro sprawl” of Chicago.
“It’s a nice town to live in, kind of slower paced than when you get to the city,” Swets said.
