WELCOME TO NORTHWEST INDIANA
Including the Chicago Southland and Southwestern Michigan
Encompassing the counties of Jasper, Lake, and Porter, the vast expanse of Northwest Indiana is ideally situated in close proximity to the world-class attractions and employment centers of Chicago. This rapidly developing area harmonizes urban centers and industrial towns with historic villages and vibrant new construction. Throughout Northwest Indiana and the suburbs south of Chicago, commonly known as Chicago Southland, newcomers will discover family-oriented communities that offer a small-town atmosphere and “more home for the dollar.” At the same time, the Loop in downtown Chicago is available within minutes by car or mass transit. And the exceptional recreational opportunities of the Southwestern Michigan “Harbor Country” are right at your doorstep.
The kaleidoscope of settings and the diversity of the region’s communities support every imaginable lifestyle. The cities and towns that make up this region vary in size from the highly urbanized Gary, Indiana, to small villages with only a few hundred residents. Local amenities are well developed and efficiently managed on county and municipal levels. From the forest preserves in Cook and Will counties in Illinois to the immense Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore region, recreational sites provide breathtaking natural beauty and virtually unlimited outdoor adventure.
Several communities have claimed a strong industrial sector for decades, attracting Fortune 500 companies and major corporations. Others serve as retail centers, home to modern malls and popular shopping centers. Some villages are strictly residential with home values that rise into the millions. Several of the Northwest Indiana communities have traditionally been known for their major steel manufacturing operations and industrial strength. Today, the metropolitan center of Gary is shifting from an economy based on industry to a destination for tourists who are drawn to dazzling casino resorts and the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes area.
