Why Cedar Lake Is One of the Best Places to Live in Indiana

Cedar Lake should be on your list if you are moving to Northwest Indiana, are looking for a lakefront home for sale in Northwest Indiana, or are already here and looking for a new place to live. Let’s dive more into everything this lake community has to offer.

About Cedar Lake

One of the best towns to live in Indiana is Cedar Lake. Cedar Lake is close enough to Chicago for a daily commute, is close to a larger city loaded with amenities, and most of all has a public all-sports lake.

Cedar Lake Indiana is a town located in central Lake County Indiana. The town is located 46 miles south of The Loop in Chicago. Other cities near Cedar Lake Indiana include Crown Point, St. John, and Lowell.

Cedar Lake is a large town. The U.S. Census Bureau states the population of Cedar Lake Indiana is 15,592 people. The town boundaries cover 10.2 square miles including the 794 acre all-sports lake named just like the town, Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake is unique because it has an inland, all-sports lake. An all-sports lake means boats both wake and no wake watercraft are allowed on the lake. Cedar Lake is a public lake. Due to the lake, you can find waterfront homes for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana.

8 Reasons Cedar Lake Is the Best Place to Live in Indiana

• Cedar Lake real estate is affordable
• Many homes for sale in Cedar Lake are relatively new
• Home to the largest inland lake and one of the few all-sports lakes in Northwest Indiana
• Cedar Lake is close to many good jobs and enjoyable destinations
• High speed internet available throughout the town
• Lakefront real estate with the waterfront homes for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana
• Cedar Lake, Indiana is a safe place to live
• High quality school systems are available to students living in Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake IN Real Estate

Cedar Lake is one of the best places to live in northern Indiana because of the excellent overall value offered by Cedar Lake homes for sale. Homebuyers will find many options when looking at homes for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana. Homes vary from affordable everyday homes to stunning lakefront properties. Let’s start with some fast facts about Cedar Lake real estate.

Cedar Lake IN Real Estate Highlights

• Each year about 400 to 450 homes are sold in Cedar Lake Indiana.
• 67% of the homes in Cedar Lake Indiana are single family homes. The other third are townhomes, condos, and half-duplexes.
• The average sale price for a homes for sale Cedar Lake Indiana is $327,420
• The median sale price for homes for sale Cedar Lake Indiana is $322,000

The Cedar Lake Real Estate Market

Cedar Lake homes vary substantially by price, features, and design. This is due to the town having a wide variety of home types and the fact some homes have direct access to the lake.

Many of the homes for sale are relatively new. Upon reviewing sales over a recent 12-month period the average build year of the homes was 2005. This is quite recent compared to most Northwest Indiana cities and towns. 40% of the homes sold in the last 10 years were also built in the last 10 years. This is way above what we see in other areas of Northwest Indiana.

Most Cedar Lake Indiana homes for sale have modern interior features. Modern interior features include a main bedroom bathroom, open-concept living spaces, walk-in closets, and incorporate modern construction practices.

Homes for sale in Cedar Lake do sell at a premium compared to all Lake County Indiana real estate. However, the prices are lower than what you will find in some cities like Crown Point, St. John, or Dyer.

Homes for Sale Cedar Lake Indiana

Houses for Sale in Cedar Lake Indiana

Currently, houses for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana typically have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and about 2,000 to 2,100 finished square feet. Lost sizes are typically less than 0.33 acres. As of 2024 the median list price for houses sale in Cedar Lake IN was $432,666 and the average list price was $477,383.

Condos for Sale in Cedar Lake Indiana

Condos only represent about 1% of the homes for sale in Cedar Lake IN each year. Therefore, there may be times you look for condos for sale in Cedar Lake but do not see any. I can tell you about the typical condo by looking back at past sales.

Cedar Lake IN condos typically have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Most condos have between 1,400 and 1,500 finished square feet. Recent sales history shows condos selling for between $315,000 to $550,000 with an average sale price of $435,000

Half-Duplexes and Townhomes for Sale in Cedar Lake Indiana

Half-Duplexes and townhomes for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana typically have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,500 to 1,700 finished square feet. Many of the half-duplexes and townhomes for sale in Cedar Lake are really new. Recently, the average build year of these duplexes and townhomes in Cedar Lake Indiana was 2020, which is amazingly new to have that as an average.

In 2024 the median list price for half-duplexes and townhomes for sale was $308,000. The average list price for these homes was $304,172

Cedar Lake IN Waterfront Homes for Sale

Cedar Lake Indiana waterfront homes for sale range in price based on the home type and its features. In the last 12 months waterfront homes for sale on Cedar Lake were selling in a range from $315,000 to $910,000.

Cedar Lake Indiana Schools

The many educational options available in and near Cedar Lake make it one of the best small towns to live in Indiana. Students in Cedar Lake Indiana go to one of three large public school districts. The township the student lives in directs which school district will be attended. There are private schools nearby, too. Additionally, adults can benefit from being nearby several respectable universities.

Public School Districts Serving Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake Indiana is included in three townships. These include Center, Hanover, and West Creek Township. The township your home is located in directs where your children will attend school.

Center Township – Crown Point Community Schools

Crown Point Community Schools is a large school district with over 9,000 students in attendance. The school district includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. This large school district has a fantastic amount of opportunities for all students at the high school level. The Indiana Department of Education can tell you more about the performance record for Crown Point Community Schools.

Hanover Township – Hanover Community School Corporation

Hanover Community School Corporation is a medium sized school district serving about 2,500 students. The district includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Hanover Central High School offers over 14 different sports programs. AP and dual credit courses as well as a Kindergarten through 12th grade high ability program. You can learn more about the performance record for Hanover Community School Corporation at the Indiana Department of Education.

West Creek Township – Tri-Creek School Corporation

The Tri-Creek School Corporation is a medium sized school district. 3,100 students attend the Tri-Creek School Corporation. The district includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The high school is Lowell Senior High School. The high school offers over ten sports programs, AP courses, and career focused study paths. You can review the Tri-Creek School Corporation’s performance record at the Indiana Department of Education.

Private Schools Cedar Lake Indiana

• Lowell Christian Academy – A private Christian school serving pre-school and elementary aged students.
• DeMotte Christian School & Covenant High School – A private Christian School group located in nearby DeMotte, Indiana following the Christian Reformed Church teachings.
• Illiana Christian High School – Illiana Christian is a high school located in nearby Dyer, Indiana offering private education steeped based on the teachings of the Christian Reformed Church.

Colleges & Universities near Cedar Lake Indiana

• Purdue Northwest – Purdue University Northwest has two campuses in Northwest Indiana. These campuses can be found in Hammond and Westville, Indiana. Students pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in over 30 fields. Several master’s degree programs are available, too, including an MBA program.
• Indiana University Northwest – Indiana University has a campus 20 miles north of Cedar Lake in Gary, Indiana. Indiana University offers degrees in over 30 different areas of concentration. Indiana University also offers several master’s degree programs including an MBA program.
• Valparaiso University – Valparaiso University is located just 20 miles northeast of Cedar Lake. Valparaiso University is a private university. The school offers majors in over 40 fields including nursing, business, engineering, mathematics, computer sciences, and meteorology.

Cedar Lake Economy and Cedar Lake Indiana Jobs

Cedar Lake residents have access to good jobs. A clear indication of this is the fact the median household income in Cedar Lake Indiana is $65,026. This is 13% higher than throughout Lake County Indiana.

Cedar Lake is a large town, so there are some jobs there. However, higher paying jobs can be found in nearby larger cities. Crown Point, St. John, and Schererville are all more populated areas where many jobs can be found. Major industries in these cities include professional services, business support, healthcare, education, and government.

Cedar Lake is also within commuting distance of two major job markets. First, is the industrial super-complex along the Indiana lakeshore. Here, there are many jobs in major manufacturing, steel production, refining, and logistics. The second is Chicago which is the second largest business district in the U.S. Cedar Lake is definitely on my list of best places to live in Indiana near Chicago.

Healthcare & Cedar Lake Hospitals

Cedar Lake has three clinics in the town. These clinics provide routine care. Emergency and ongoing medical care is available at several nearby hospitals. These include Franciscan Crown Point, Methodist Southlake in Merrillville, and Community Hospital in Munster.

Veterinarians in Cedar Lake Indiana

Pet owners have several options for healthcare for their pets. Cedar Lake veterinarians include the following:

• Your Hometown Animal Hospital – Located at 12419 Cedar Lake Rd, Crown Point, IN 46307 is a full service veterinary clinic providing urgent care and routine pet healthcare.
• Hanover Veterinary Hospital – This veterinary facility at 12515 Wicker Ave, Cedar Lake, IN 46303 is a full service veterinary medical care provider and also provides grooming, boarding, and some mobile services.

Cedar Lake Indiana Public Transportation

Cedar Lake Indiana does not have a public transportation system. Therefore, people living in Cedar Lake will likely need a car. Cedar Lake is located near several major thoroughfares.

U.S 41 is located west of Cedar Lake, and State Road 55 is located east of Cedar Lake. This is a major north-south arterial road. Major east-west roads near Cedar Lake Indiana include State Road 2 and U.S. 231.

Weather Cedar Lake Indiana

Cedar Lake Indiana has a continental climate. This means there are four distinct seasons and a wide variety of temperatures throughout the year.

Early spring high temperatures are in the upper 40s to low 50s and late spring highs are in the 60s. Low temperatures range from the upper 30s to the 50s in spring. Summer time starts with high temperatures in the 70s and ends with highs in the 80s. Several 90+ degree days usually occur each year. Summer time lows are in the 60s or low 70s.

Fall is just like spring but in reverse. Fall starts with highs in the upper 60s and ends with highs in the upper 30s or low 40s. Low temperatures in early fall are in the 40s or 50s and in the low 30s by the end of the season. Winter is cold, dark, and snowy. Winter highs range from the low 30s to the low 20s. Teens or single digit highs are possible. Lows are in the low 20s but overnight single digit or near zero temperatures are possible. The coldest period is from January through late February.

Cedar Lake receives about 40 inches of rain annually. Snow totals are typically between 20 and 24 inches. Cedar Lake is unlikely to receive lake effect snow due to its location south-southwest of Lake Michigan.

Cedar Lake Indiana Parks, Restaurants, and Entertainment

There is a lot to do in Cedar Lake and even more to do in the cities and towns near Cedar Lake Indiana. Let’s take a look at everything that makes Cedar Lake one of the best towns to live in Indiana.

Cedar Lake Indiana Parks

The Cedar Lake Parks & Recreation Department maintains several parks in the town. These include Potawatomi Park, Bartlett Park, and Kiwanis Park. Lemon Lake County Park is located just northeast of Cedar Lake Indiana.

Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake in Cedar Lake Indiana is an 800 acre all-sports lake. An all-sports lake allows no wake and wake-forming watercraft. The lake is the largest lake in Northwest Indiana by surface area. However, it is not very deep. The deepest point is 14 feet, and the median depth is 8 feet.

The lake has a public access point including a boat launch. Other features include a beach, and several lakeshore parklike areas with benches, grass, and pavilions.

Cedar Lake Indiana Restaurants

Cedar Lake has several desirable restaurants. Also, the town is located near other towns with even more great restaurants. Let’s start by looking at Cedar Lake restaurants.

• Lighthouse Restaurant – Located at 7501 Constitution Ave. Cedar Lake, IN 46303 The Lighthouse Restaurant provides an upscale, lakeside dining experience. The restaurant is located right on Cedar Lake! The menu includes steaks, chops, and seafood.
• Bugaboo Bar & Grill – This lakeside bar and grill serves drinks, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and tacos. The Bugaboo Bar & Grill is located at 14527 S Lakeshore Dr. Cedar Lake, IN 46303.
• Goodfella’s Bar & Grill – Goodfella’s Bar & Grill is located at 11200 W 129th Ave. Cedar Lake, IN 46303. This restaurant serves pizzas, sandwiches, and has several fried food baskets.

Other cities nearby have many great restaurants, too. Residents in Cedar Lake will find many more dining options in Crown Point, Merrillville, and Schererville.

Cedar Lake Indiana Entertainment

Cedar Lake is one of the best towns in Northwest Indiana because it has its own natural entertainment at the lake but is also close to many enjoyable destinations. First, enjoy the lake life found right in your hometown. Laze away the day tubing, skiing, pontooning, or fishing on the lake. There is a small beach there, too.

Speaking of beaches, you can drive up to Lake Michigan and enjoy many of the beaches along the Indiana lakeshore. Just 29 miles northeast of Cedar Lake is the Indiana Dunes National Park. Other fun outdoor destinations in the region include Deep River Water Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, and the many parks, walking, and biking trails throughout Northwest Indiana.

If indoor activities sound better there are options for this, too. Nearby Merrillville has one of the largest shopping malls in Indiana. If you enjoy gambling there are several casinos throughout Northwest Indiana. If you’re not a gambler, many of these casinos have an events center, too, with frequent shows or concerts.

And, when you want to experience all that the big city has to offer, head north to Chicago. Chicago is just 45 miles north of Cedar Lake. There you can go to world class restaurants, museums, see a Broadway show, or attend a professional sports event.

Wrapping Up What Makes Cedar Lake, Indiana a Great Place to Live

Cedar Lake is one of the best towns to live in Indiana. Homebuyers will find relatively affordable houses for sale in Cedar Lake Indiana. Many of the homes are much newer than what you will find in other areas of Northwest Indiana, too. The town is located close to good jobs, near hospitals, and there are many educational opportunities, too.

If Cedar Lake sounds like a place you would like to call home, start viewing Cedar Lake real estate listings today! Feel free to contact us for any help finding and buying a home in Cedar Lake Indiana.