Editing Hobart, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Hobart, Indiana
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Main Street in downtown Hobart, Indiana.jpg
| image_caption      = Main Street in downtown Hobart
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = File:Lake County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Hobart Highlighted 1834114.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Hobart in Lake County, Indiana.
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|31|43|N|87|16|03|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Townships]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Hobart Township, Lake County, Indiana|Hobart]], [[Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana|Ross]]
| established_title  = {{nowrap|Incorporated (town)}}
| established_date   = 1889<ref name = "history">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkPWAAAAMAAJ|first=William|last=Howat|title=A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region|volume=1|date=1915|page=458|access-date=16 December 2021}}</ref>
| established_title2 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date2  = 1921<ref name="incorporation">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofhobart.org/index.aspx?NID=294 |title=Hobart, IN - Official Website - History of City |website=Cityofhobart.org |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Josh Huddlestun ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| 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_total_km2     = 68.81
| area_total_sq_mi   = 26.57
| area_land_km2      = 67.84
| area_land_sq_mi    = 26.19
| area_water_km2     = 0.97
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.38
| area_note          = 
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 627
<!-- Population -->| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 29752
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_density_km2 = 438.59
| population_density_sq_mi = 1135.96
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46342
| area_code          = [[Area code 219|219]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-34114<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2394393<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394393}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cityofhobart.org/}}
| footnotes          = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}

'''Hobart''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|oʊ|b|ɑr|t|}} {{respell|HOH|bart}}, {{small|locally}} {{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|oʊ|b|ər|t}}) is a city in [[Lake County, Indiana]], United States. The population was 29,752 at the 2020 census, up from 29,059 in 2010. It has been historically primarily residential, though recent annexation has added a notable retail corridor to the city.

== History ==
Hobart was [[plat]]ted in 1849.<ref name = "history"/> George Earle, an English immigrant, bought land from the [[Potawatomi]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribe, who built a dam on Deep River, creating [[Lake George (Hobart, Indiana)|Lake George]]. He named the settlement that later developed into Hobart, after his brother, Frederick Hobart Earle, who never left England. The first school of the city was built in 1878.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region|page=460}}</ref>

Hobart was incorporated as a town in 1889 and reincorporated as a city in 1921.<ref name="history" /><ref name=":0" />

The [[First Unitarian Church of Hobart]], [[Hobart Carnegie Library]] [[Hobart Commercial District]], and [[Pennsylvania Railroad Station (Hobart, Indiana)|Pennsylvania Railroad Station]] are listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20141224.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2014-12-24|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/15/14 through 12/19/14 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> The Lake George Commercial Historic District is noted locally.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ordinance No. 2010-21 to Establish New Boundaries for the Lake George Commercial Historic District|url=https://www.cityofhobart.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/125|publisher=City of Hobart}}</ref> Hobart is also the site of several [[WPA projects]], including a [[WPA in Hobart, Indiana, Post Office|post office]].

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, Hobart has a total area of {{convert|26.705|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|26.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 98.6%) is land and {{convert|0.375|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 1.4%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1834114
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-07-28
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213060915/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1834114
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Hobart is approximately {{convert|31|mi|km}} southeast of [[Chicago]].

==Demographics==
{{Update section|reason=no information in this section from the [[2020 United States census]]|date=October 2024}}
{{US Census population
|1880= 600
|1890= 1010
|1900= 1390
|1910= 1753
|1920= 3450
|1930= 5787
|1940= 7166
|1950= 10244
|1960= 18680
|1970= 21485
|1980= 22987
|1990= 21822
|2000= 25363
|2010= 29059
|2020= 29752
|footnote=Source: US Census Bureau
}}

===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=2012-12-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 29,059 people, 11,650 households, and 7,664 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1103.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 12,399 housing units at an average density of {{convert|470.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 13.9% of the population.

There were 11,650 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.2% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 25,363 people, 9,855 households, and 6,977 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|967.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,299 housing units at an average density of {{convert|392.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.73% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.54% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.60% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.51% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.05% of the population.

There were 9,855 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,759, and the median income for a family was $35,078. Males had a median income of $43,702 versus $26,619 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,508. 4.8% of the population and 2.9% of families were below the [[poverty line]]. Of the total population, 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

== Economy ==
Hobart is home to a number businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://frankandjackie.com/art.html |title=The Art Theater |website=Frankandjackie.com |date=1941-08-27 |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref>

Hobart is also home to the super-regional [[Southlake Mall (Indiana)|Southlake Mall]] near the intersection of [[U.S. Route 30 in Indiana|U.S. Route 30]] and [[Interstate 65 in Indiana|Interstate 65]]. and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses along the south side of Hobart are required to list their addresses as [[Merrillville]]. This area was historically an unincorporated section of [[Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana|Ross Township]] prior to a 1993 annexation by the city of Hobart and is served by the Merrillville post office.

The nearest large airports serving Hobart are the [[Gary/Chicago International Airport]] (GYY) in Gary and [[Chicago Midway International Airport]] (MDW) and [[O'Hare International Airport]] (ORD) in nearby [[Chicago]]. The [[Hobart Sky Ranch Airport]] (3HO) is located {{convert|2|mi|km}} north of the city's downtown business district.

Hobart contains three major railroads: [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], which runs through County Line Road to Liverpool Road; [[Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad]], which runs through County Line Road to Wisconsin Street; and [[Canadian National Railway]], which runs through Colorado Street and through a portion of Hobart in the southernmost part of the area known as [[Ainsworth, Indiana|Ainsworth]].

Hobart is also home to the [[Indiana Botanic Gardens]], which is the nation's largest and oldest retailer of herbs. The company moved to Hobart in the mid-1990s and is located off Business Route 6. Another manufacturing concern headquartered in Hobart since 1952 is Midwest Products, a manufacturer of hobby materials and [[Radio-controlled aircraft|radio controlled model aircraft]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Midwest Products|url=http://www.midwestproducts.com/|website=Midwestproducts.com|access-date=2012-04-12}}</ref>

== Parks and recreation ==
[[File:HobartIN.jpg|thumb|right|Hobart welcome sign.]]
Hobart is home to [[Lake George (Hobart, Indiana)|Lake George]], a popular place for people to gather to walk along the city's waterfront. Musical entertainment can be found near the clock tower in Lakefront Park and at the Revelli Bandshell during the warm months. Fishing and boating are two popular activities at Lake George. At Festival Park, people can feed the ducks that live there. In the past, fishermen fished at Hobart's Robinson Lake. In October 2006, then-Mayor Linda Buzenic announced the "highest and best use" for Robinson Lake would be to put it up for sale, according to the [[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Snelling |first=Karen |title=Hobart starts process to sell little-used park |newspaper=[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]] |url=http://www.post-trib.com/news/138327,hbcouncil.article |date=October 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014257/http://www.post-trib.com/news/138327%2Chbcouncil.article |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>

The city features 14 parks, a public 18-hole golf courses (Cressmoor Country Club having closed in 2006), and many sports fields for basketball, football, baseball, soccer, rugby, and other sports. The city recently bought an outdoor swimming pool. [[Hobart Nature District]] is located in Hobart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Resolution No. 2017-12 A Resolution to Define the Hobart Nature District|url=https://www.cityofhobart.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/565|publisher=City of Hobart}}</ref>

The Oak Savannah [[rails-to-trails]] route cuts through the city and offers biking and hiking.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianatrails.org/Oak_Savannah_Trail.htm |title=Oak Savannah Trail |publisher=Greenways Foundation |access-date=2013-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725044637/http://www.indianatrails.org/Oak_Savannah_Trail.htm |archive-date=2013-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Oak Savannah trail passes by the {{Convert|90|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} Hobart Prairie Grove Unit of [[Indiana Dunes National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Design of Mitigation Plan Begins for Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project |url=http://www.fws.gov/fieldnotes/regmap.cfm?arskey=19991 |work=Field Notes |publisher=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |date=2006-09-27 |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c101:H.R.3209.EH:/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716103125/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c101:H.R.3209.EH:/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |title=H.R.3209 -- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Access and Enhancement Act |website=Thomas.loc.gov |access-date=2013-04-18 }}</ref>

The [[Shirley Heinze Land Trust]], Inc. owns other nature preserves in the city of Hobart, including a [[tallgrass prairie]].<ref name="Heinze">{{cite web |url=http://www.heinzetrust.org |title=Shirley Heinze Land Trust|website=Heinzetrust.org|access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref> The Cressmoor Prairie is a dedicated state nature preserve,<ref name="Heinze" /> and is the largest state-protected rare "black soil" or silt-loam prairie in Indiana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/files/np-Cressmoor_Prairie.pdf |title=Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve |publisher=Indiana Department of Natural Resources |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref>

==Education==
Most of the city is within the [[School City of Hobart]], although other parts of the city are within the [[River Forest Community School Corporation]] or the [[Merrillville Community School District]].<ref>{{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=2023-11-20}}</ref>

[[Hobart High School (Indiana)|Hobart High School]] students are referred to as the "Brickies," in reference to the brickyards that were once located on city's northern side near Cressmore Prairie. The school mascot is named Yohan and bears a strong resemblance to "Boilermaker Pete" from Purdue University. Hobart High School at one time was considered a leader in music education; in the early twentieth century, its band won national Sousa band competitions under the direction of William Revelli, who later left to lead the [[University of Michigan]] band. The city is also home to Trinity Lutheran School, a pre-school through 8th grade parochial school and Montessori Academy in the Oaks.

The Merrillville section is served by John Wood Elementary School and the feeder schools in Merrillville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvsc.k12.in.us/images/WOOD.pdf |title=Map of Elementary Districts |website=Mvsc.k12.in.us |access-date=2016-07-26}}</ref>

The Lake County Public Library operates the Hobart Branch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lcplin.org/locations.html#HO |title=Locations and Hours |publisher=Lake County Public Library |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{div col|colwidth=27em}}
*[[Omar Apollo]] - singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite web |last1=Domanick |first1=Andrea |title=Omar Apollo's homegrown funk |url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/06/11/omar-apollo-friends-interview |website=The FADER |access-date=January 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Larry Bigbie]] - professional baseball player<ref>{{cite news|last1=Passan|first1=Jeff|title=Bigbie exiled after breaking code|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/bigbie-exiled-breaking-code-040500469--mlb.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=Yahoo Sports|date=March 20, 2008}}</ref>
*[[Brent Dickson]] - Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1986–), Chief Justice (2012–2014)<ref>{{cite web|title=Justice biographies: Justice Brent E. Dickson|url=http://www.in.gov/judiciary/citc/2829.htm|website=courts.IN.gov|publisher=Indiana|access-date=November 7, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403230103/http://www.in.gov/judiciary/citc/2829.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Darren Elkins]] - professional [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] fighter<ref>{{cite news|last1=Erickson|first1=Matt|title=Hobart-based featherweight Elkins goes for four straight at UFC 154|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/hobart-based-featherweight-elkins-goes-for-four-straight-at-ufc/article_5233883b-33c1-5622-9d88-f8cc978b375e.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=November 16, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Brian Gallagher]] - president and chief executive officer of [[United Way Worldwide]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/hobart-native-leads-united-way-of-america/article_8d5279de-9ec3-5f0c-a19d-8f35bfad64ef.html |title=Hobart native leads United Way of America &#124; Local News |website=Nwitimes.com |date=2003-02-20 |access-date=2017-07-26}}</ref>
*[[Tim Gill]] - [[computer scientist]] and [[LGBT]] activist<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Richest Gay People in the World Today|url=http://transformthechange.com/blog/10-richest-gay-people-in-the-world-today/|website=Transform the Change|access-date=25 November 2015}}</ref>
*[[Bob Kuechenberg]] - professional football player<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamnik |first1=Al |title=AL HAMNIK: NFL great Bob Kuechenberg makes his point with White House snub |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/al-hamnik/al-hamnik-nfl-great-bob-kuechenberg-makes-his-point-with/article_b6eee357-f702-5a16-aa8d-baed54417b0a.html |access-date=November 7, 2015 |work=NWI Times |date=August 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824174444/http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/al-hamnik/al-hamnik-nfl-great-bob-kuechenberg-makes-his-point-with/article_b6eee357-f702-5a16-aa8d-baed54417b0a.html |archive-date=August 24, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Rudy Kuechenberg]] - professional football player<ref>{{cite web|title=Rudy Kuechenberg|url=http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node/455|website=Indiana Football Hall of Fame|access-date=November 7, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Dale Messick]] - graphic artist, creator of comic strip ''[[Brenda Starr]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daniel|first1=Glenda|title=Brenda Starr Is Getting Married, and Creator Dale Messick Will Give Her Away|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20065973,00.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=People|issue=25|publisher=Time Inc.|date=December 22, 1975|volume=4 }}</ref>
*[[Craig Osika]] - professional football player, and Hobart High School football coach<ref>{{Cite web|title=Craig Osika Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OsikCr20.htm|access-date=2021-01-17|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hutton|first=Mike|title=Former NFL offensive lineman Craig Osika named head football coach at Hobart|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-hobart-craig-osika-st-0112-20180111-story.html|access-date=2021-01-17|website=chicagotribune.com}}</ref>
*[[Gary Primich]] - blues musician and recording artist<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harrell|first1=Jeff|title=Mowery pays tribute to Primich with CD|url=http://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/eventnews/mowery-pays-tribute-to-primich-with-cd/article_9c0b0b7e-291a-11e4-bb16-0017a43b2370.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=South Bend Tribune|date=August 21, 2014}}</ref>
*[[William Revelli]] - band director, first in Hobart and later at [[University of Michigan]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Curtis|first1=Virginia|title=Historic Hobart band leader dies at age 92|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/historic-hobart-band-leader-dies-at-age/article_76435ae1-077c-5be9-a0f6-b15fc4be8fa2.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=NWI Times|date=July 19, 1994}}</ref>
*[[Everett Robinson]], minor league baseball player and manager<ref>{{cite web |title=Everett Robinson Minor Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins001eve |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=January 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cityofhobart.org/ City of Hobart, Indiana website]

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

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Indiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Northwest Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Indiana]]