Hammond, IN

Hammond, Indiana

Introduction to Hammond, Indiana

Hammond, Indiana, in Lake county, is 20 miles S of Chicago, Illinois. Hammond is located in Northwest Indiana and is included in the Chicago metropolitan area. It's bordered to the north by Lake Michigan and to the south by the Little Calumet River. The Chicago loop is approximately a half an hour away from Hammond.

The area is home to numerous railroad and trucking companies. A large number of products including steel, petroleum products, chemicals, corn goods, soap and other items are manufactured in the city. Hammond is a major healthcare center for Northwest Indiana.

History

The first settlements were established in 1847 near the southern portion of Lake Michigan. The residents were primarily German farmers. The city was originally named Hohman. 1869 marked the beginning of the industrialization of the city. A butcher from Detroit named George H. Hammond built a slaughterhouse which was the city's first notable business. The town was renamed in tribute to him. In 1884 the city was incorporated.

Attractions

• Festival of the Lakes.
• The John Dillinger Museum features exhibits of the famous criminal.
• Historic homes.
• The Woodmar Shopping Mall is a popular destination.
• Venetian Night and Fireworks event occurs annually.
• The International Cultural Festival showcases the city's diverse ethnic communities.
• The Little Red Schoolhouse is an historic structure.

Activities

Residents and visitors enjoy recreational activities at Lake Michigan and Wolf and George lakes. The city hosts a five day Summer festival which attracts a large number of attendees. The Hammond Marina provides opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing. The Gibson Woods Nature Preserve features hiking trails in woodlands, sand dune areas and wetlands. The Hammond Lakefront Park and Bird Sanctuary offers visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds during migration.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore includes an extensive shoreline on Lake Michigan as well as marsh areas, prairies, forest areas and rivers. It features a vast number of bird species and a variety of wildlife. Hammond includes numerous parks. A bike path runs from the northern end of the city down to the southern border. The Empress Casino features gambling and restaurants.

Transportation

The city is served by the Gary/Chicago Airport located in Gary. The South Shore Electric Line which runs from Chicago to South Bend, Indiana has a station located in the municipality. The Hammond Transit System provides bus services.

Higher Education

Purdue University Calumet and Calumet College of St. Joseph are located in the area.

High Points

Hammond strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Indiana):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 1%
Public Transportation Use (vs. State)	Top 1%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 5%

Comparative Profile of Hammond, IN

Comparing Hammond to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Indiana (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Male Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Women

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Affordability of Rents
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Hammond Almanac

Hammond Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Hammond Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Hammond, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Hammond Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Hammond Hospitals

SAINT MARGARET MERCY HEALTHCARE CENTERS
(Voluntary non-profit - Church)
5454 HOHMAN AVENUE
(219) 932-2300
Emergency Service: Yes

Hammond High Schools (2004)

DONALD E GAVIT MDL/HIGH SCH
1670 175TH ST
219-989-7328
Serves 1,669 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 20.1

MORTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
6915 GRAND AVE
219-989-7316
Serves 943 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22

HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL
5926 CALUMET AVE
219-933-2442
Serves 815 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.3

Hammond Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Kaplan College

Purdue University-Calumet Campus

Sawyer College-Hammond

(List of All Indiana Colleges)

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