Where is Lake Station, Indiana, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: March 21, 2026, 14:20 ET

Where is Lake Station, Indiana Located in the United States? Lake Station is a city located in the Lake County of Indiana, United States. Lake Station lies between 41.575 Degrees North latitudes and -87.2389 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Lake Station in Lake County, Indiana

Where is Lake Station, Indiana

About Map: The map shows the location of Lake Station in the state of Indiana, United States. Lake Station is a city in Lake County, Indiana.

Lake Station Map, Indiana, USA

About Lake Station Map: This interactive Google Map shows the exact location of Lake Station in Indiana, United States. You can zoom in or out, switch to satellite view, and explore nearby cities, roads, and local landmarks around Lake Station.

About Lake Station, Lake County, Indiana

Lake Station is a city located in Lake County in the U.S. state of Indiana, United States. Situated in northwestern Indiana near the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the city forms part of the Chicago metropolitan region and serves as a residential and commercial community within Lake County. Lake Station was established in the late nineteenth century and developed as a railroad and industrial town due to its proximity to major transportation routes. Today, the city remains closely connected to the economic and transportation networks of northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Lake Station is 13,789 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 1,900 people per square mile.

Area and Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lake Station covers a total area of approximately 7.93 square miles (about 20.54 square kilometers), including about 7.79 square miles (20.17 square kilometers) of land and about 0.14 square miles (0.37 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Lake Station is located in northwestern Indiana within Lake County, approximately 35 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. The surrounding region features a mix of residential communities, industrial areas, and transportation corridors that support the broader economy of northwest Indiana.

Attractions and Recreation

Lake Station offers several parks and recreational spaces for residents and visitors. Riverview Park and other community parks provide playgrounds, sports fields, and walking areas for outdoor activities. The nearby Indiana Dunes region and the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan also offer opportunities for nature exploration, hiking, and beach recreation.

Transportation

Lake Station is served by major highways including Interstate 94, Interstate 65, and U.S. Route 6, providing convenient connections to Chicago and other cities across northwest Indiana. The nearest major airport serving the region is Chicago Midway International Airport, located about 40 miles northwest of the city.

Explore more cities and counties across Indiana or view the complete USA States Map for additional geographic information.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General information referenced from the Official City of Lake Station Website.

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Lake Station, Indiana City Facts

CityLake Station
StateIndiana
CountyLake County
CountryUnited States
RegionNorthwestern Indiana
Founded1851
Incorporated1977
Total AreaApproximately 7.9 sq mi (20.5 km²)
Land AreaApproximately 7.8 sq mi (20.2 km²)
Water AreaApproximately 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
ElevationApproximately 620 ft (189 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 13,000+
Population (2020 Census)13,656
Population DensityApproximately 1,750 people per sq mi
Time ZoneCentral Time (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST)
ZIP Codes46405
Area Code219
Major HighwaysInterstate 94, Interstate 80/90 (Indiana Toll Road), U.S. Route 6
Public TransitGary Public Transportation Corporation (GPTC)
Major AttractionsRiverview Park, Lake Station Historical Society Museum, nearby Indiana Dunes National Park
Official Websitehttps://www.lakestation-in.gov/

Distance from Lake Station in Lake County, Indiana to Other Cities in Indiana

  • Gary, IN – 5 miles (8 km)
  • Hobart, IN – 6 miles (10 km)
  • Portage, IN – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Merrillville, IN – 10 miles (16 km)
  • Valparaiso, IN – 15 miles (24 km)
  • Crown Point, IN – 18 miles (29 km)
  • Michigan City, IN – 30 miles (48 km)
  • La Porte, IN – 28 miles (45 km)
  • Chesterton, IN – 12 miles (19 km)
  • East Chicago, IN – 15 miles (24 km)
  • Hammond, IN – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Whiting, IN – 18 miles (29 km)
  • South Bend, IN – 60 miles (97 km)
  • Elkhart, IN – 65 miles (105 km)
  • Warsaw, IN – 75 miles (121 km)
  • Fort Wayne, IN – 110 miles (177 km)
  • Lafayette, IN – 95 miles (153 km)
  • Indianapolis, IN – 140 miles (225 km)
  • Bloomington, IN – 180 miles (290 km)
  • Evansville, IN – 290 miles (467 km)

Transportation and Connectivity in Lake Station

Category Details
Nearest AirportGary/Chicago International Airport
IATA CodeGYY
Major HighwaysInterstate 80/94, Interstate 90 (Indiana Toll Road), U.S. Highway 6, State Road 51
Public TransitGary Public Transportation Corporation and regional bus services
Nearest Rail ServiceSouth Shore Line (Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations nearby)
Regional AccessExcellent connectivity to Gary, Chicago, Valparaiso, Portage, and Northwest Indiana
  • Interstate 80/94 and Interstate 90: Provide direct highway access to Chicago, South Bend, and major Midwest destinations.
  • South Shore Line: Nearby commuter rail service connects Northwest Indiana with downtown Chicago and South Bend.
  • Gary/Chicago International Airport: Located approximately 8 miles northwest, serving corporate, charter, and commercial aviation.
  • Regional Transit: Local and regional bus services connect Lake Station with neighboring communities and employment centers.

Top Places to Visit in Lake Station, Indiana

Landmark Name Type
Riverview ParkCommunity Park
Indiana Dunes National ParkNational Park
Deep River County ParkCounty Park
Indiana Dunes State ParkState Park
Marquette ParkLakeside Park
Lake County FairgroundsEvent Venue
West BeachLake Michigan Beach
Bellaboo's Play and Discovery CenterChildren's Museum
Gary AquatoriumHistoric Landmark
Coffee Creek Watershed PreserveNature Preserve

Driving Distances from Lake Station, Indiana to Nearby Cities

City State Distance (mi) Approx. Drive Time
GaryIndiana510 minutes
PortageIndiana610 minutes
HobartIndiana510 minutes
MerrillvilleIndiana815 minutes
ValparaisoIndiana1520 minutes
Michigan CityIndiana3035 minutes
HammondIndiana1725 minutes
ChicagoIllinois3345 minutes
South BendIndiana721 hour 15 minutes
IndianapolisIndiana1552 hours 35 minutes

Colleges and Universities in and near Lake Station, Indiana

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Indiana University NorthwestPublicUniversityBusiness, nursing, education, liberal arts, and graduate programs
Purdue University Northwest – Hammond CampusPublicUniversityEngineering, technology, business, and healthcare education
Ivy Tech Community College – Lake County CampusPublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, workforce development, technical and career education
Valparaiso UniversityPrivateUniversityEngineering, law, nursing, business, and liberal arts
Calumet College of St. JosephPrivateCollegeBusiness, criminal justice, education, and social sciences

Waterbodies in Lake Station, Indiana

Lake Michigan, Deep River, Little Calumet River, Grand Calumet River, Coffee Creek, Long Lake, Wolf Lake (regional), Indiana Dunes wetlands

Stadiums in Lake Station

Lake Station Edison High School Stadium, U.S. Steel Yard (Gary), Brassie Golf Club Sports Complex, Dowling Park Athletic Fields, RailCats Baseball Stadium

Lake Station, Indiana — Key Historical Facts

  • Lake Station originated as a railroad community during the nineteenth century, benefiting from its strategic location near major rail lines in Northwest Indiana.
  • The area developed alongside the expanding steel and manufacturing industries that shaped the economy of Lake County and the greater Calumet Region.
  • The community was incorporated as East Gary in 1977 before officially changing its name to Lake Station in 1981 to reflect its historical identity.
  • Its location near Lake Michigan, interstate highways, and rail corridors has supported continued residential, industrial, and commercial development.
  • Today, Lake Station is recognized as part of the Chicago metropolitan area, offering convenient transportation access while remaining close to the Indiana Dunes and regional recreation areas.

References

Indiana Related Maps and Info

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