Editing Whiting, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Whiting, Indiana
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_blank_emblem = WhitingINlogo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 

<!-- Images --------------->
| image_skyline      = Whiting business district.jpg
| imagesize          = 275px
| image_caption      = Whiting's business district on 119th Street
| image_flag         = WhitingINflag.gif
| image_seal         = 

<!-- Maps ----------------->
| image_map          = Lake County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Whiting Highlighted 1884122.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Whiting in [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County]], [[Indiana]].
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 

<!-- Location ------------->
| 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|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[North Township, Lake County, Indiana|North]]

<!-- Government ----------->
| government_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=City Council |url=https://www.whitingindiana.com/government/city_council.php |publisher=City of Whiting, Indiana |date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Steven Spebar
| leader_party       = [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]
| leader_title1      = [[Councillor|Councilmembers]]
| leader_name1       = Chris Sarvanidis<br>Tom Michniewicz<br>Rebeca Michko<br>Mark Harbin<br>Shawn M. Turpin
| leader_title2      = [[Municipal clerk|City Clerk]]
| leader_name2       = John T. Haynes
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1889
| established_title1 = Incorporated (town)
| established_date1  = 1895
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (city)]]
| established_date2  = 1903
| named_for          = Herbert L. "Pop" Whiting

<!-- Area ----------------->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 4.679
| area_land_km2      = 4.679
| area_water_km2     = 0.000
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.807
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.807
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.000

<!-- Population ----------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 4506
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 4559
| population_density_km2 = 963.0
| population_density_sq_mi = 2494
| demographics_type1 = Standard of living ([[American Community Survey|2018-22]])
| demographics1_title1 = [[Household income in the United States|Median household income]]
| demographics1_info1 = $59,740
| demographics1_title2 = [[Real estate appraisal|Median home value]]
| demographics1_info2 = $188,200

<!-- General information -->
| timezone1          = [[Central Standard Time|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset1        = −6
| timezone1_DST      = CDT
| utc_offset1_DST    = −5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 180
| elevation_ft       = 591
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|40|23|N|87|29|03|W|region:US-IN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 46394
| area_code          = [[Area code 219|219]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-84122
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2397304<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2397304}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[U.S. Routes|U.S.]] and [[State highway|State Routes]]
| blank2_info        = [[File:US 12.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 12 in Indiana]] [[File:US 20.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 20 in Indiana]] [[File:US 41.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 41 in Indiana]] [[File:Indiana 912.svg|27px|link=Indiana State Road 912]]
| blank3_name        = Waterway
| blank3_info        = [[Lake Michigan]]
| blank4_name        = [[Amtrak]] station
| blank4_info        = [[Hammond–Whiting (Amtrak station)|Hammond-Whiting]]
| blank5_name        = [[Sales tax]]
| blank5_info        = 7.0%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/indiana/cities/whiting.html|title=Whiting (IN) sales tax rate|access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://whitingindiana.com/|whitingindiana.com}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Whiting''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|aɪ|t|ɪ|ŋ}} {{respell|WYTE|ing}}) is a city located in the [[Chicago Metropolitan Area]] in [[Lake County, Indiana]], which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of [[Lake Michigan]]. It is roughly 16 miles from the [[Chicago Loop]] and two miles <!-- (1.6 miles from border to border walking. Less "as the crow flies", more by driving.) -->from Chicago's [[South Side (Chicago)|South Side]]. Whiting is home to [[Whiting Refinery]], the largest oil refinery in the [[Midwest]]. The population was 4,559 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Whiting_city,_Indiana?g=160XX00US1884122 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
A post office was first established at Whiting in 1871.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Lake&searchtext=&pagenum=5 | title=Lake County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=December 21, 2014}}</ref> Whiting was incorporated as a town in 1895.<ref>{{cite book|last=Howat|first=William Frederick|title=A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region|url=https://archive.org/details/standardhistoryo01howa|year=1915|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|page=[https://archive.org/details/standardhistoryo01howa/page/439 439]}}</ref> It was named after a trainman who was killed in a crash there.<ref name="Times McKinlay">{{cite news|title=Recycling on agenda for historical society meeting|first=Archibald|last=McKinlay|work=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana|The Sunday Times]]|location=Munster, Indiana|date=May 12, 1991|page=G-8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29385328/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Whiting was incorporated as a city in 1903.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitingindiana.com/about-the-city/history/|title=History - The City of Whiting, Indiana|accessdate=May 5, 2023}}</ref>

The [[Hoosier Theater Building]], [[Henry and Caroline Schrage House]], and [[Whiting Memorial Community House]] are listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.807|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

The Whiting post office (46394) serves not only the city of Whiting, but also the adjacent [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] neighborhood of [[Robertsdale (Hammond)|Robertsdale]], immediately to the west. Addresses in this Hammond neighborhood show “Whiting, Indiana.” While not legally a part of the city of Whiting, locally the area has long been informally considered to be a culturally integrated part of Whiting. References to Whiting businesses or residents often include those technically from Hammond's Robertsdale.<ref>[http://www.whitingcommunity.com/history.htm Whiting History]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.whitingindiana.com/about_the_chamber.shtml |title=Whiting, Indiana - Chamber of Commerce |access-date=April 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101185928/http://www.whitingindiana.com/about_the_chamber.shtml |archive-date=January 1, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.fieldmuseum.org/calumet/Hammond.html Journey Through Calumet - Place]
</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 115
|1890= 200
|1900= 3983
|1910= 6587
|1920= 10145
|1930= 10880
|1940= 10307
|1950= 9669
|1960= 8137
|1970= 7054
|1980= 5630
|1990= 5155
|2000= 5137
|2010= 4997
|2020= 4559
|estyear=2023
|estimate=4506
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=September 2, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Whiting city, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Whiting city, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1884122&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Whiting city, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1884122&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Whiting city, Indiana|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1884122&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|3,715
|2,733
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,027
|72.32%
|54.69%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |44.46%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|25
|141
|style='background: #ffffe6; |144
|0.49%
|2.82%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.16%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|7
|9
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.14%
|0.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|32
|29
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23
|0.62%
|0.58%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.50%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|1
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13
|0.02%
|0.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|44
|47
|style='background: #ffffe6; |112
|0.86%
|0.94%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.46%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,313
|2,036
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,238
|25.56%
|40.74%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |49.09%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''5,137'''
|'''4,997'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''4,559'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 4,559 people, 1,859 households, 1,106 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Whiting%20city,%20Indiana%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=September 2, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|2536.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,094 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 59.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.1% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|some other races]] and 17.4% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 49.1% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Whiting city, Indiana |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/dayton-city-minnesota/160-2715022/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 4,997 people, 1,899 households, and 1,210 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2776.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,197 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1220.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 76.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 15.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 40.7% of the population.

There were 1,899 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.32.

The median age in the city was 34.4 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

==Parks==
[[File:Whihala Beach - Whiting, Indiana.jpg|thumb|right|Whihala Beach]]
Whiting is home to five parks. Whiting Park, located on the [[Lake Michigan]] shoreline, is the most well known. It is a popular picnic spot for residents of [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County]], the [[South Side, Chicago|South Side of Chicago]], and [[Chicago Southland|Southland]]. Whihala Beach is located next to Whiting Park between Whiting and neighboring [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]].

==Education==
[[File:Whiting Public School.jpg|thumb|left|Whiting Public School]]
[[School City of Whiting]] serves all of Whiting.<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=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=1 (PDF p. 2/3)|access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> [[Whiting High School]] is the sole public high school serving Whiting.

The city is also home to a historic [[Carnegie Library]], built in 1905.<ref>"[http://www.whiting.lib.in.us/Library%20History.htm]." Retrieved on April 17, 2010.</ref>  Whiting Public Library is located at 1735 Oliver Street.<ref>"[http://www.whiting.lib.in.us/ Whiting Public Library Home Page]". ''Whiting Public Library''. Retrieved on January 21, 2009.</ref>
[[Calumet College of St. Joseph]] is a [[Private university|private college]] affiliated with the [[Roman Catholic Church]] through the [[Missionaries of the Precious Blood]].  Its main campus is in Whiting, Indiana, with additional campuses located in [[Chicago, Illinois]], and [[Merrillville, Indiana]].  The college was founded in 1951 as an extension of the now defunct [[Saint Joseph's College, Indiana|Saint Joseph's College]] in [[Rensselaer, Indiana]] and currently enrolls 1,262 students.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United States National Center for Education Statistics|url=http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Calumet+College+of+St.+Joseph&s=all&id=150172#enrolmt|title=College Navigator - Calumet College of Saint Joseph - Enrollment|access-date=September 26, 2011}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
Amtrak's [[Wolverine (train)|Wolverine]] line stops at [[Hammond–Whiting (Amtrak station)|Hammond–Whiting station]] in nearby Hammond.

Airports serving Whiting are [[Chicago]]'s [[O'Hare International Airport]], [[Midway International Airport]], and [[Gary/Chicago International Airport]] located in [[Gary, Indiana]].

==Notes of interest==
[[File:Polish Dancers at Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana (2010).jpg|thumb|right|Polish Dancers at [[Pierogi Fest]]]]
[[Pierogi Fest]] founded in 1994 is held each year on 119th Street in downtown Whiting to honor the venerable [[pierogi]] dumpling. Spanning three days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the last full weekend of July, the event draws in crowds from around the [[Calumet Region]] with guests coming from all over the globe.

The city was featured in an episode of MTV's ''High School Stories''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426710/locations|title=IMDb listing for ''High School Stories''|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=March 29, 2009}}</ref>

Scenes from the movie ''[[Rudy (film)|Rudy]]'', starring [[Sean Astin]], as well as the 1981 drama ''[[Four Friends (1981 film)|Four Friends]]'', were shot in Whiting.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108002/locations IMDb listing #1 for ''Four Friends'']</ref><ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082404/locations IMDb listing #2 for ''Four Friends'']</ref>

Standard Oil of Indiana, later [[Amoco]], was founded and headquartered here.

The [[Mascot Hall of Fame]], honoring costumed characters from college and professional sports, is located in Whiting.

==Notable people==
* [[George Buksar]], football player
* [[George Burman]], football player
* [[William Merriam Burton]], worked at the Standard Oil refinery in Whiting; became president of Standard Oil
* [[Mary-Lou Daniels]], junior world champion tennis player
* [[Richard Dufallo]], clarinetist, author, and conductor
* [[John M. Ford]], science fiction and fantasy writer, game designer, and poet; raised in Whiting
* [[Joe Kopcha]], football player
* [[Steve Kraly]], baseball player
* [[Ferid Murad]], co-recipient of 1998 [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]]
* [[James J. Nejdl]], State Senator and pioneer of Indiana Old-Age Pension Legislation. Former City council member, postmaster general, school board and public work board member.
* [[Al Pilarcik]], baseball player
* [[Patrick Lucien Price]], video game designer and editor; worked on Dungeons & Dragons game
* [[Irene Purcell]], actress
* [[Joe Sotak]], basketball player
* [[David Wagoner]], poet

==See also==
* [[Henry and Caroline Schrage House]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Chicago|Indiana}}
* [https://whitingindiana.com/ City of Whiting – Official Website]
* [https://www.pierogifest.net/ Pierogi Festival website]
* {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Whiting |short=x}}

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

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Whiting, Indiana|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Indiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Northwest Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Indiana populated places on Lake Michigan]]