Highland, Lake County, Indiana

Town of Highland, Indiana
Town
Highland's location in Lake County (left) and the state of Indiana (right).
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Lake
Township	North
Settled	1848
Incorporated	April 4, 1910
Government
• Type	Town
• Body	Town Council
• President	Mark Herek (I, 2nd)
• Vice-President	Bernie Zemen (D, 1st)
• Members:	Dan Vassar (D, 3rd) Steve Wagner (D, 4th) Konnie Kuiper (D, 5th)
• Clerk-Treasurer	Michael W. Griffin (D)
Area
• Total	6.96 sq mi (18.0 km2)
• Land	6.94 sq mi (18.0 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	623 ft (190 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	23,727
• Estimate (2013)	23,285
• Density	3,419/sq mi (1,320/km2)
Standard of living (2008-12)
• Per capita income	$30,036
• Median home value	$155,200
Time zone	Central (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	Central (UTC-5)
ZIP code	46322
Area code	219
FIPS code	18-33466
GNIS feature ID	0436149
Website	www.highland.in.gov

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	304		—
1920	542		78.3%
1930	1,553		186.5%
1940	2,723		75.3%
1950	5,878		115.9%
1960	16,284		177.0%
1970	24,947		53.2%
1980	25,935		4.0%
1990	23,696		−8.6%
2000	23,546		−0.6%
2010	23,727		0.8%
Est. 2014	23,127		−2.5%
Source: US Census Bureau

Highland is a town in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 23,727 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated on April 4, 1910. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and North Township, and is surrounded by Hammond to the north, Munster to the west, Schererville to the south, and Griffith to the east.

History

An 1836 government survey plat of Indiana Survey Township 36N, Range 9W, 2nd Principal Meridian, with the modern borders of Highland outlined in red.

In 1847, two pioneers from Ohio, Michael and Judith Johnston, became Highland's first settlers. The town slowly expanded until the early 1880s, when the development of Chicago & Atlantic railroad trackage through the town attracted agriculture and manufacturing industries. Dutch settlers began moving to Highland shortly thereafter from nearby Munster. 304 people resided in Highland when it was incorporated in 1910.

In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge visited and delivered the dedication address for Wicker Memorial Park, located on the west side of the town. Highland, as with other towns along the Little Calumet River, has historically been subject to flooding, particularly during spring, and particularly in areas away from Ridge Road, which runs along the highest land in the town. Significant floods have affected Highland in 2008, 2007, and especially in September 2006.

On October 31, 2008, Barack Obama, who four days later would be elected the 44th President of the United States, stopped in Highland towns for a rally that drew 40,000 people to Wicker Park. It was the largest crowd there since President Coolidge dedicated the park in 1927.

Shops in Highland, Indiana (2nd Street & Highway Avenue)

Geography

Highland is located at (41.549851, -87.458064).

According to the 2010 census, Highland has a total area of 6.96 square miles (18.03 km²), of which 6.94 square miles (17.97 km²) (or 99.71%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) (or 0.29%) is water.

Neighborhoods

Highland has several neighborhoods and subdivisions. They include: Arbor Hill, Brantwood, Ellendale, Golfmoor, Highland Terrace Estates, Homestead, Hook's, Lakeside, Meadows, Pettit Park, Sandalwood, Southridge, White Oak Estates (of Highland), Wicker Highlands, Wicker Park Estates and Wicker Park Manor (Frog Hollow).

Architecture

Highland's Downtown area features a number of buildings exhibiting Mid-Century Modern style architecture.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 23,727 people, 9,924 households, and 6,547 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,418.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,320.0/km²). There were 10,335 housing units at an average density of 1,489.2 per square mile (575.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.6% White, 4.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 3.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.8% of the population.

There were 9,924 households of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 41.5 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,546 people, 9,636 households, and 6,677 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,428.3 people per square mile (1,323.3/km²). There were 9,925 housing units at an average density of 1,445.1/sq mi (557.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.45% White, 1.26% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.80% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.61% of the population.

There were 9,636 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,297, and the median income for a family was $59,106. Males had a median income of $46,217 versus $28,635 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,530. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The commercial airport closest to Highland is the Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, but most Highland residents and visitors travel from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport or Chicago Midway International Airport.

Highland lies just south of the Borman Expressway. U.S. Route 41, known locally as Indianapolis Boulevard, is a major north-south artery in the town. Due to Highland's proximity to Chicago, several other Interstate and U.S. highways are within a 20-mile (32 km) radius.

The town's pedestrians and cyclists are served by the Erie Lackawanna Trail, a cycling/multiuse, paved rail trail, which cuts diagonally through Highland, connecting the town with Griffith, and Crown Point, to the southeast. The Highland portion of the trail is also known locally as the Crosstown Trail. The trail runs along the former right-of-way of the Erie-Lackawanna and Baltimore and Ohio railroads, and will eventually connect pedestrians to Chicago, Illinois, to the northwest and beyond Crown Point to the southeast by planned trail extensions. The trail also links Highland, by connections with other trails, with Porter County to the east.

Education

School Town of Highland, the town's public school system, operates one high school (Highland High School), one middle school, and four elementary schools: Johnston (north side), Merkley (central), Southridge (east), and Warren (south). The area where one of the now-defunct schools (Main school) once stood is marked by a gazebo, which was demolished in October 2006, and rebuilt in 2007. It and the surrounding land is named Main Square Park, after Main Elementary, which stood on the site until 1977. One of the other defunct schools, Lincoln Elementary, was converted into a community center in the early 1980s. The other, Orchard Park Elementary, closed in 1981 and was later purchased and reopened as a Calumet Baptist School in the early 1990s.

Highland also contains three private schools. Highland Christian school was originally founded in 1909, and has been in its present building and location since 1951. Our Lady of Grace was founded in 1954 and is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary. A Calumet Baptist School operates on the site of the closed Orchard Elementary School.

Highland High School and Highland Middle School are located in the same building, at 9135 Erie Street. Highland High School was established in 1960. At the time the school was established, there were about 280 students graduating in each class. The Northwest Indiana Education Service Center is currently housed in part of Highland Middle School.

Public libraries

Lake County Public Library operates the Highland Branch at 2841 Jewett Street.

Police Department: Fallen officers

In the history of the Highland Police Department, two officers have been killed while on duty.

Notable people

• Ward Cunningham, inventor of the wiki, who started programming at Highland High School
• Ryan Grigson, former NFL offensive lineman, and current general manager of the Indianapolis Colts
• Tom Homco, former NFL player, Los Angeles Rams
• Debra A. Kemp, author
• Kevin Manno, television and radio host
• Georgette Mosbacher, businesswoman, political activist
• Eric Justin Toth, replaced Osama Bin Laden on the Ten Most Wanted list
• Cornelius Van Til, Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist

External links

• Town of Highland, Indiana website
• Highland Police Department
• Highland Fire Department
• School Town of Highland