At a Glance
Median Income
$65,433
$29,671 per capita
Home Value
$204,800
Zillow: $206,730
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
27.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
357/100K
1,650/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
16.6%
83.7% high school+
Unemployment
12.0%
20.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.3%
19.3% smoking rate
How Whiting Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Whiting's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Whiting a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Whiting residents earn a median household income of $65,433 , which is 13% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $29,671. The unemployment rate stands at 12.0% (233% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,872 business establishments, including 1,110 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Whiting is $204,800 , 27% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $206,730. Median rent is $1,033/month, with 27.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Safety & Crime
Whiting reports 357 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 6% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,650/100K.
Education
16.6% of adults in Whiting hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(51% below the national average).
83.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Whiting has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C).
Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.3 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52.
Data Overview
People
Population4,554
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density2,516/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Foreign Born15.0%
Veterans4.0%
Economy
C
Median Income$65,433
Per Capita$29,671
Unemployment12.0%
Poverty20.1%
County GDP$31,242M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,177
Housing
A+
Home Value$204,800
Rent$1,033
Ownership51.3%
Zillow$206,730
Housing Units1,868
Rent Burden27.8%
Crime
F
Violent357/100K
Property1,650/100K
Health
Obesity41.3%
Diabetes14.4%
Smoking19.3%
Heart Disease6.7%
Premature Death10,981/100K
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
Rain40.3 in/yr
AQI52 (Moderate)
Elevation591 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.6%
High School+83.7%
Graduate+6.1%
School Score5.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 46% / D 52%
Commute32 min
Broadband88.0%
Internet Speed110 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries26
Did You Know?
Whiting was founded in 1889.
The median home in Whiting was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Gary/Chicago International (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.453 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
11.2% of the population has a disability.
15.0% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 110 Mbps.
There are 1,110 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 53 fatal vehicle crashes.