Editing Highland, Lake County, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Highland, Indiana
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| mapsize            = 280px
| image_skyline      = HighlandIN.jpg
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of Indiana counties|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North]]

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Lake County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Highland Highlighted 1833466.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Highland in Lake County, Indiana.
| government_footnotes = <ref name="officials">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.lakecountyin.org/portal/media-type/html/group/voters/page/default.psml/js_pane/P-13b9cba7c46-107f1
  |title=2014 Public Officials Directory
  |publisher=Lake County Board of Elections and Voter's Registration
  |access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Town]]
| governing_body     = Town Council
| leader_title       = President
| leader_name        = George Georgeff ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 1st)
| leader_title1      = Vice-President
| leader_name1       = G. Doug Turich ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2nd)
| leader_title2      = Councilors:
| leader_name2       = Alex Robertson ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 3rd)<br>Thomas Black ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 4th)<br>Philip Scheeringa ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 5th)
| leader_title3      = Clerk-Treasurer
| leader_name3       = Mark Herak ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 18.06
| area_land_km2      = 17.97
| area_water_km2     = 0.10
| area_total_sq_mi   = 6.97
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.94
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 23984
| population_density_km2 = 1334.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 3456.90
| demographics_type1 = Standard of living ([[American Community Survey|2008-12]])
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Per capita income]]
| demographics1_info1 = $30,036
| demographics1_title2 = [[Real estate appraisal|Median home value]]
| demographics1_info2 = $155,200
| timezone           = [[Central Standard Time|Central]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = [[Central Daylight Time|Central]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;5
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 623
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|32|59|N|87|27|29|W|region:US-IN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46322
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 219|219]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-33466<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0436149<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.highland.in.gov/ www.highland.in.gov]
| footnotes          = 
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1848
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = April 4, 1910
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
}}

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align: center"
|+ Demographics (2010)<ref name="USCB-DP1">U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics 2010, Table DP-1, 2010 Demographic Profile Data. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website]. Retrieved June 14, 2014.</ref>
|-
! Demographic
! Proportion
|-
| '''[[White American|White]]'''
|88.6%
|-
| '''[[African American|Black]]'''
|4.2%
|-
| '''[[Asian American|Asian]]'''
|1.6%
|-
| '''[[Pacific Islander American|Islander]]'''
|0.0%
|-
| '''[[Native Americans in the United States|Native]]'''
|0.2%
|-
| '''Other'''
|5.4%
|-
| '''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic<br>(any race)]]'''
|12.8%
|}

{{US Census population
|1910= 304
|1920= 542
|1930= 1553
|1940= 2723
|1950= 5878
|1960= 16284
|1970= 24947
|1980= 25935
|1990= 23696
|2000= 23546
|2010= 23727
|2020= 23984
|footnote=Source: US Census Bureau
}}

'''Highland''' is a town in [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County]], [[Indiana]], [[United States]]. The population was 23,984 at the 2020 census. The town was incorporated on April 4, 1910.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highland Town History |url=https://highland.in.gov/highland-town-history/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=highland.in.gov |language=en}}</ref> It is a part of the [[Chicago metropolitan area]] and [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North Township]], and is surrounded by [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] to the north, [[Munster, Indiana|Munster]] to the west, [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]] to the south and [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]] to the east.

== History ==
[[File:Highland, Lake County, Indiana 1836.png|thumb|left|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, Indiana|Munster]].<ref name="Encyclopedia of Chicago">[http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/581.html "Encyclopedia of Chicago"] Retrieved on April 18, 2011.</ref> 304 people resided in Highland when it was incorporated in 1910. In 1992, the [[Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau|Indiana Historical Bureau]] placed a state historical marker at 8941 Kleinman Road ({{coord|41|33|2|N|87|26|14|W|region:US-IN_type:landmark|display=inline}}) to recognize the immigration of [[Dutch people|Dutch]] in the [[Calumet Region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/history/markers/180.htm |title=Indiana Historical Markers by County |publisher=Indiana Historical Bureau | access-date=October 15, 2016}}</ref>

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,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/little-calumet-flood-control-project-reaches-halfway-mark/article_97bfa1ed-8e65-5893-b1bd-d4e981ea7675.html|title=Little Calumet Flood Control project reaches halfway mark|date=November 13, 1999 |newspaper=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]] |access-date=October 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/little-cal-s-history-flows-through-area/article_e8afa606-3040-5960-a3e0-a167577e9e99.html|title=Little Cal's history flows through area|date=September 18, 2006 |newspaper=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]] |access-date=October 15, 2016}}</ref> 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 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.

[[File:Shops in Highland, Indiana.JPG|thumb|left|Shops in Highland, Indiana (2nd Street & Highway Avenue)]]

== Geography ==
According to the 2010 census, Highland has a total area of {{convert|6.96|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.94|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 99.71%) is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 0.29%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1833466
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=July 17, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213043838/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1833466
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

=== Neighborhoods ===
Highland has several neighborhoods and subdivisions.  They include: Arbor Hill, Boulevard Estates, 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).

Highland's small downtown is located around Highway Avenue, close to Kennedy Avenue. It developed there as the [[Erie Lackawanna Railway]] went through that specific area. As the railway tracks were abandoned since, the [[Erie Lackawanna Trail]] runs nowadays through downtown Highland instead.

=== Architecture ===
Highland's downtown area features a number of buildings exhibiting Mid-Century Modern style architecture.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Chicago"/>

== Demographics ==

=== 2010 census ===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 23,727 people, 9,924 households, and 6,547 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3418.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 10,335 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1489.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 88.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 23,546 people, 9,636 households, and 6,677 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|3,428.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,925 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,445.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.45% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.10% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.80% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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 [[Interstate 94 in Indiana|Borman Expressway]]. [[U.S. Route 41 in Indiana|US 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 {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} 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, Indiana|Griffith]], and [[Crown Point, Indiana|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 Railroad|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, Indiana|Porter County]] to the east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianatrails.org/Erie_Trail.htm|title=Erie Lackawanna Trail<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Indianatrails.org|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509033025/http://www.indianatrails.org/Erie_Trail.htm|archive-date=May 9, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Education ==
The [[School Town of Highland]] is the town's public school system,<ref name=SDMapLakeCoIN2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18089_lake/DC20SD_C18089.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lake County, IN|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|page=1 (PDF p. 2/3)|access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> which operates [[Highland High School (Highland, Indiana)|Highland High School]], which was established in 1957, as well as a middle school and four elementary schools. The area where the former Main School once stood is marked by a [[gazebo]], which was demolished in October 2006 and rebuilt in 2007. It and the surrounding land are named Main Square Park after the now-defunct school that 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.

;List of schools – School Town of Highland:
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Highland High School
* Highland Middle School
* Judith Morton Johnston Elementary School
* Mildred Merkley Elementary School
* Southridge Elementary School
* Allen J. Warren Elementary School
}}

Highland also contains three private schools. Highland Christian School was founded in 1909 and has been in its present building and location since 1951. Our Lady of Grace School was founded in 1954 and is run by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary|Diocese of Gary]]. There is also Bible Baptist School that operates on the site of the former Orchard Elementary School.

== Public libraries ==
Lake County Public Library operates the Highland Branch at 2841 Jewett Street.<ref>[http://www.lcplin.org/branches/hi.htm "Highland Branch Library."] [http://www.lcplin.org/ "Lake County (IN) Public Library."] Retrieved on July 21, 2010.</ref>

== Police Department: Fallen officers ==
In the history of the Highland Police Department, two officers have been killed while on duty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://highland.in.gov/HighlandPoliceHistory|title=My Highland Rocks Highland Police History|website=Highland.in.gov|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref>

==Recreation==
Wicker Memorial Park, at 8554 Indianapolis Boulevard, is owned and operated by the [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North Township]] trustee and was dedicated in 1927. Featured are a 72-par, 18-hole golf course, three miles of trails, volleyball and tennis courts, a dog run, playground, splash pad, picnic areas and banquet facilities.

The [[Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve]], established in 1976, is a 1,547-acre wetland prairie habitat located in an area in the vicinity of Main Street and Kennedy Avenue and partially in Highland, [[Griffith, Indiana|Griffith]] and [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]]. It is a unit of the [[Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore]] and managed by the [[Indiana Department of Natural Resources]].

Highland Parks and Recreation operates the Lincoln Community Center, Sharp Athletic Complex and the four-mile [[Erie Lackawanna Trail|Erie-Lackawanna Trail]]. The Main Square Park Gazebo is a popular site for wedding ceremonies as well as a number of community events and festivals during the year. In addition to Homestead, Markley, Meadows and Sheppard parks, which offer shelters for picnics and gatherings, there are 16 other parks maintained with various amenities throughout the town.

;List of parks and recreational facilities – Highland Parks and Recreation:
{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*Brantwood Park
*Erie-Lackawanna Trail
*Fletcher Park
*45th & 5th Street Park
*Grand Park
*Homestead Park
*Jaycee Park
*Lakeside Outlot Park
*Lakeside Park
*Lincoln Community Center
*Little Turtle Park
*Main Square Park
*Markley Park
*Meadows Outlot Park
*Meadows Park
*Northwood Park
*Orchard Park
*Pettit Park
*Sharp Athletic Complex
*Sheppard Park
*Terrace Park
*Toth Park
*White Oak Park
}}

== Notable people ==
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Ward Cunningham]], programmer and inventor of the [[wiki]], who started programming at [[Highland High School (Highland, Indiana)|Highland High School]]
* [[Ryan Grigson]], executive with NFL's [[Cleveland Browns]], former general manager of [[Indianapolis Colts]]
* [[Tom Homco]], former NFL player, [[Los Angeles Rams]]
* [[Rick Karr]], journalist and educator<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pnw.edu/news/former-pbs-journalist/|title=Region native/former PBS journalist to discuss technology impact on media 4/27 at PUC|date=April 20, 2011|newspaper=Purdue University Northwest News|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Debra A. Kemp]], author
* [[Biscuit Miller]], blues musician<ref>{{cite book|author1=Bob L. Eagle|author2=Eric S. LeBlanc|title=Blues: A Regional Experience|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZNfAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA133|date=May 1, 2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34424-4|page=76}}</ref>
* [[Georgette Mosbacher]], businesswoman, United States Ambassador to [[Poland]]
* [[Debbie Patton]], professional bodybuilder
* [[Dan Stevenson (politician)|Dan Stevenson]], politician<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/highland/indiana-house-honors-retiring-highland-representative/article_1b48cc11-f70a-5cf4-ad9f-9ccfa6bf3d0b.html|title=Indiana House honors retiring Highland representative|date=March 6, 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Eric Justin Toth]], replaced [[Osama bin Laden]] on [[FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives]] list<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/hammond-native-eric-toth-on-fbi-s-ten-most-wanted/article_84e5130a-4a0d-5382-a63a-cb8e1a6d71b4.html|title=Hammond native Eric Toth on FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' list|date=April 11, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]] |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Jim Umpleby]], businessman, CEO of [[Caterpillar Inc.]]<ref>Nightengale, Laura, [http://www.pjstar.com/news/20161017/who-is-incoming-caterpillar-ceo-jim-umpleby "Who is incoming Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby?"], ''[[Journal Star (Peoria)|Journal Star]]'', October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2018.</ref>
* [[Cornelius Van Til]], Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist
* [[Rosemary Watson]], comedian and celebrity impersonator<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kragan |first1=Pam |title=Comedian gets help from Carol Burnett |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/sdut-carol-burnett-comedian-2013oct13-story.html |access-date=April 1, 2020 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[List of Indiana state historical markers in Lake County]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.highland.in.gov Town of Highland, Indiana website]

{{Lake County, Indiana}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1847]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in Indiana]]