Why Michigan City Is the Best Places to Live in Indiana

There is a lot to like about Michigan City. This city with a historic past continues to thrive. Michigan City and its residents have so much to enjoy compared to other cities and towns in Northwest Indiana. From its lakefront location to its thriving local economy Michigan City is one of the best places to live in Indiana.

About Michigan City, Indiana

Michigan City is located in northwest LaPorte County, Indiana just 50 miles east of Chicago and 40 miles west of South Bend. According to the 2020 census Michigan City had 32,075 residents.

Michigan City borders the southeast part of Lake Michigan. Michigan City is noted for its proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Another feature of Michigan City is the Washington Park Beach and Washington Park Zoo. Michigan City is a popular beach town to many tourists, Chicago residents, and others within the Northern Indiana area.

Michigan City has many amenities including easy shopping at big box stores along with charming small businesses in the downtown area and the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets. Michigan City has plenty of local restaurants, an art museum, the popular Blue Chip Casino Spa and Hotel, and even a zoo.

5 Reasons Why Michigan City Is the Best City or Town in Northwest Indiana

1. Michigan City real estate is affordable with home prices to meet any budget.
2. Robust amenities compared to other Northwest Indiana cities and towns including Lake Michigan frontage, a marina, robust park and recreation system, abundant shopping options, and casino with an entertainment venue.
3. Thriving local economy with ongoing major investment occurring in the city and numerous major players in niche industries.
4. Excellent thoroughfares in and out of the city and an intra-city public transportation system.
5. Two stations to board the South Shore Commuter Rail Line traversing between South Bend and Chicago.

Upcoming Development in Michigan City

In early 2022 several Michigan City development projects were announced. The boom to the local area is most likely due to the meaningful amount of infrastructure available in the city, high tourism numbers, and the nearing completion of the double-track project.

The double-track project will lower commute times on the South Shore Commuter Rail Line. The target is to bring Michigan City residents to downtown Chicago in about 50 minutes.

These major developments are diverse, too. One, is for the development of a downtown hotel and condominium building. Another development project is for a mixed use commercial and residential building located along the South Shore line. This will give commuters the convenience of boarding a train right from the platform at the building. Lastly, the local government is paving the way for a to-be-announced but committed Fortune 500 company to open a manufacturing plant in Michigan City, Indiana.

Michigan City, IN Elementary, Middle, and High Schools And Other Educational Opportunities

Primary school students living in Michigan City attend the Michigan City Area Schools. The Michigan City Area Schools serves 5,300 students through its eight elementary, two middle schools and one high school. This school system has many opportunities for their students including offering vocational classes to their high school students along with extensive extracurricular and athletic opportunities.

You can learn more about Michigan City Area Schools by reading their profile with the Indiana Dept. of Education.

Michigan City Indiana Nearby Private Schools

• La Lumiere, 6801 N Wilhelm Rd, La Porte, IN 46350
• Marquette Catholic High School, 306 W. 10th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360
• St Paul Lutheran, 818 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360
• Notre Dame Catholic School, 1000 Moore Rd, Michigan City, IN 46360

Universities and Colleges Near Michigan City Indiana

Purdue University Northwest – Westville

Purdue University Northwest is a satellite campus of Purdue University located near Michigan City, Indiana. The campus is located 8 miles south of Michigan City. Purdue University Northwest typically has about 6,000 enrolled students. Programs include associates and bachelor degree programs in many fields including business, education, nursing, engineering, computer sciences, and more. Through the Purdue network you can also complete master’s and doctoral level degrees.

Ivy Tech Community College – Michigan City

Indiana’s largest community college, Ivy Tech, has a college campus located in Michigan City. The school offers certificates and associate degrees in many fields including business, nursing, criminal justice, computer sciences and various building and manufacturing related skills.

Indiana University – South Bend

Another college near Michigan City, Indiana is Indiana University. IU has a satellite campus in nearby South Bend, Indiana. Here, students can receive an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a wide range of fields. These include business, education, nursing, computer sciences, liberal arts, and engineering.

Notre Dame University

Notre Dame University is located less than 45 minutes east of Michigan City in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame university is a world-class school. Notre Dame offers degree programs at all levels in a wide variety of fields. Notre Dame also has the only law school located in northern Indiana.

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University is a private Lutheran-based university located 25 miles southeast of Michigan City in Valparaiso, Indiana. Valparaiso University has a wide range of degree programs including education, business, computer sciences, math, engineering, and has a very strong meteorology program. Masters and doctoral programs are available, too.

Michigan City Indiana Economy And Michigan City Jobs

Michigan City has a robust economy typical for a small midwestern city. Between jobs available in Michigan City and surrounding areas Michigan City has a reliable local economy.

The average household income in Michigan City, Indiana is $44,930. This is 23% below the average across the state of Indiana. The number of people in poverty is stated by the U.S. Census Bureau as 23% which is about twice as much as the Indiana average.

There are jobs in Michigan City. Healthcare, manufacturing, services, and retail are the leading job areas in Michigan City. Michigan City is home to a large hospital. Additionally, several major manufacturers exist in Michigan City. The nearby city of LaPorte, Indiana is also a manufacturing hub.

Michigan City is located within daily commuting distance of two additional job centers. The first is Chicago, IL. secondly is the major manufacturing and industrial complexes located along the Lake Michigan lakeshore in Porter and Lake County, Indiana. Located there are major steel manufacturing entities, other manufacturing, and a large oil refinery.

Michigan City is located within commuting distance of more small cities with job opportunities. These include South Bend, Valparaiso, and Portage, Indiana.

Michigan City Indiana Hospitals And Healthcare

Michigan City residents are most likely to use Franciscan Health Alliances Michigan City for emergency and primary care needs. The hospital is modern, having just opened in 2019. Franciscan Health is located at 3500 Franciscan Way, Michigan City IN 46360. It has a 24/7/365 emergency room. Along with that service, there are physician offices located on the hospital’s campus.

Other hospitals located nearby are Northwest Health-LaPorte, Northwest Health-Porter and Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Veterinarians In Michigan City And Michigan City Animal Hospitals

Michigan City Animal Hospital

Michigan City Animal Hospital is a veterinary clinic with deep roots in Michigan City. The Michigan City Animal Hospital is a full-service pet clinic and hospital. The veterinarians and staff here can provide routine healthcare services, surgical, acute care, and emergency healthcare for your pets.

Purdue North Central Veterinary Emergency Center

Michigan City residents also have an option for off-hours emergency animal care needs. The Purdue North Central Veterinary Emergency Center is staffed with veterinarians 24/7/365. This full service clinic and emergency care center is available to help you and your pet. The emergency center’s Westville location located at 1645 US 421 Westville, IN 46391 is just 10 minutes from Michigan City.

Michigan City Indiana Transportation

Michigan City, Indiana does offer public transportation options. These include an intra-city bus line and the commuter rail line to Chicago.

MC Transit

MC Transit is an intra-city bus line in Michigan City, Indiana. This bus network criss-crosses the city and operates Monday through Saturday. The fees are really reasonable at just $1.00 per ride. Lower cost fares are available for senior citizens and students.

South Shore Commuter Rail Line (NICTD)

Technically, it’s called the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), we all call it the South Shore Line. The South Shore trains stops at the 11th St. and the Carroll Ave. stations. There are multiple trains each day heading west and east of Michigan City. This commuter rail line travels west to downtown Chicago and east to the South Bend Airport.

Major Roadways

Michigan City is located along several major roadways. The I-80/90 Indiana Toll Road is just south of Michigan City. I-94 has two entrances and exits to Michigan City. One is on the south side and the other on the east side. Other major roadways running through Michigan City include U.S. 12, U.S. 20, and State Road 35.

Weather Michigan City Indiana

Michigan City experiences a continental climate with four distinct seasons. During winter, Michigan City can get the added blast of lake effect snow. Let’s start by looking at that.

Winters in Michigan City typically have highs in the 20s to low 40s and lows in the teens or 20s. It is not unusual to have some single digit or zero temperatures during the coldest period of time in late January and early February. Michigan City does get snow, too. And, if things are just right Michigan City can experience enhanced snow totals due to lake effect snow.

Spring in Michigan City delivers low temperature in the 30s to the 50s and highs in the 50s to the low 70s. Rain is more frequent in the spring. Summer time is like spring but warmer. Lows are typically in the 50s to the low 70s. High temperatures are in the 70s to the low 90s. It is possible to have a few days in the upper 90s or near 100.

Fall is some of the best weather in Michigan City. As summer fades, highs are often in the 70s but fall down to the 50s in late fall. Lows are in the 40s to the upper 50s. Late in fall Michigan City can have a few more cloudy days. This is due to cooler air passing over the warmer lake waters of Lake Michigan.

Michigan City Parks, Restaurants, And Entertainment

Michigan City has a lot more entertainment options than other cities and towns in Northwest Indiana. This is due to its waterfront location, longevity as a city, and development in the area.

Michigan City Parks & Recreation

Michigan City has a lot of parks to enjoy. There is a skate park, a beach, sports complex, and many smaller parks to enjoy, too.

• 18 Parks and Green Spaces – There are 18 smaller parks and green spaces throughout the city. Some of these have amenities like picnic tables, benches, water features, and courts.
• Washington Park & Beachfront – Washington is the largest park. It is located at the shore of Lake Michigan. Washington Park is where to go when you want to go to the beach in Michigan City.
• Patriot Park Sports Complex – This is a 120 acre sports complex which includes four full size baseball or softball fields with lighting.
• Oasis Splash Park – A splash pad mini-water park fun for younger children. This park is open in two-hour increments three times each day during the summer.
• Pullman Park Skate Park – This skate park has 35 rails and ramps to enjoy using skateboards and rollerblades.

Michigan City Indiana Restaurants

Michigan City, Indiana has a lot of dining options for you to enjoy. Here, I will cover a few of the best Michigan City Indiana restaurants.

• Shoreline Brewery – Located just one block from Lake Michigan this brew-pub is a great lunch and dinner spot. Here you will find crafts beers, signature cocktails, and an excellent menu. The dinner menu is a bit upscale for a brew pub, too.
• Bartlett’s Fish Camp – If you are looking for seafood you’ve got to go to Bartlett’s Fish Camp. This lunch and dinner restaurant has a lot of seafood options.
• William B’s Steakhouse – This all-American steakhouse restaurant is located inside the Blue Chip Casino. Here, you can find steaks and other dinner meals including some seafood, chicken, and pasta options.

There are many many more great restaurants in Michigan City. THese include both locally owned and national or regional chain restaurants.

Michigan City Entertainment

There really is a lot to do in Michigan City. Things to do include enjoying the Michigan City Arts District, shopping at Lighthouse Mall Premium Outlets, enjoying the lakeshore, or attempting to climb Mt. Baldy at the Indiana Dunes National Park. On top of all of those, here are a few more highlights which make Michigan City one of the best places to live in Northwest Indiana.

Washington Park Zoo

Yes, Michigan City has a zoo! The zoo features over 20 animal exhibits. This is a small zoo and is great for younger children. When looking for something to do, enjoy Michigan City’s lakefront zoo!

Blue Chip Casino

Michigan City is home to the Blue Chip Casino. Here, you can have all the fun of gaming just like in Las Vegas. The Blue Chip Casino has more than gambling, too. The casino features a hotel, spa, and restaurants. The Stardust event Center at the casino hosts shows and concerts, too.

Michigan City Marina

Michigan City is one of the best places to live if you want to boat on Lake Michigan. Only a few Northwest Indiana cities have a marina with direct access to Lake Michigan. Michigan City is one of those cities. You will have ample opportunity to find a place to dock your boat in Michigan City.

Michigan City Indiana Real Estate

Michigan City real estate is amongst the most diverse in Northwest Indiana. The city includes homes located in town, homes in rural areas surrounding the city, and lakefront homes on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

Michigan City Real Estate Highlights

Michigan City has a very active real estate market. There are many opportunities for homebuyers purchasing a primary home, real estate investors, and for homebuyers who want to purchase a second or vacation home.

• Annually, about 560 homes are sold in Michigan City
• Single family homes, or houses, make up about 90% to 92% of homes for sale in Michigan City, IN.
• Michigan City has a low number of newer homes. Only 4% of the homes sold in the last ten years were also built in the last ten years.
• Michigan City has many affordable housing options. 23% of homes sold in the last year sold for $125,000 or less. You can find cheap houses in Michigan City, Indiana.
• But, Michigan City has some of the most expensive real estate in Northwest Indiana. The highest sale recorded in the GNIAR MLS during 2021 was one of the waterfront homes for sale in Michigan City, Indiana.

The Michigan City Real Estate Market

The Michigan City real estate market is incredibly diverse. There appears to be three distinct silos of homes for sale in Michigan City, Indiana.

The first silo of homes for sale in Michigan City, Indiana are those in the city limits and not adjacent to the lakeshore or in lakeshore communities. These homes are mostly single family homes. These homes typically have three bedrooms, one and one-half to two bathrooms, and about 1,500 finished square feet. The median sale price over the last 12 months was $140,000 and the average sale price was $153,781.

The second silo of homes for sale in Michigan City, Indiana are those in the rural areas surrounding Michigan City. These homes are overwhelmingly houses. These homes typically are a bit larger averaging three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 2,100 finished square feet. The lot size increases quite a bit, too. The median lot size is 0.93 acres and the average is just over two acres. The average sale price for these homes is $264,458 and the median sale price is $225,950.

The final silo includes Michigan City waterfront homes for sale and homes in the lakeside neighborhoods. These homes vary quite a bit in size. The typical home has three bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, and about 2,100 finished square feet. The average sale price for these homes over the last 12 months was $565,667. The median sale price for these homes over the last 12 months was $477,500.

Homes for Sale in Michigan City, Indiana

There are several common types of homes for sale in Michigan City, IN. Each with its own characteristics and price points. Let’s take a look at those.

Houses for Sale in Michigan City, Indiana

Houses for sale in Michigan City are more affordable than many other areas in Northwest Indiana.Currently, single family homes in Michigan City are listed in a range from $45,000 to over $4,000,000. Wow, that is a range. The median list price amongst homes currently for sale in Michigan City is $222,000. The average list price is $393,302.

Townhomes for Sale in Michigan City, Indiana

As of this writing, there were no townhomes for sale in Michigan City. So, I looked back at recent sales. About 15 townhomes are sold in Michigan City each year. Over the last 12 months these home sales had a range of $200,000 to $537,000. The typical townhome had three bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, and about 1,700 finished square feet.

Condos for Sale in Michigan City, Indiana Condos

Condos for sale in Michigan City typically have two or three bedrooms and one to three bathrooms. The average size was about 1,100 finished square feet. Condos currently for sale in Michigan City had a list price from the middle $100s to the high $300s.

Popular Michigan City Indiana Subdivisions

Beachwalk Michigan City

Michigan City’s Beachwalk neighborhood was developed in the late 1990s and really took off in the early 2000s. Some of the homes were built as late as the late 2010s. Beachwalk is located within walking distance of the Lake Michigan shore. Beachwalk does allow short term rentals so long as the landlord-owner follows the Beachwalk HOA rental policy agreement.

Homes in Beachwalk have a very beachy feel. Many of the homes are painted in pastel colors. It is typical for the homes to be multi-story and on smaller lots. The community was modeled after a community in Seaside, FL. The homes are loaded with modern amenities and typically have a large number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

Recently, homes for sale in Beachwalk Michigan City had sold in the range of $520,000 and $975,000. Currently listed homes ranged from the $600s through the upper $700s. Larger homes typically sell for a premium in Beachwalk.

You can click here to view homes for sale in Beachwalk Michigan City, Indiana.

Pottawattamie Park Michigan City

Pottawattamie Park is a neighborhood located north of Springland Ave. and south of U.S. 12. Pottawatomie Park is actually its own municipality but piggy-backs off of Michigan City for many services. All that is located here is a neighborhood and the Pottawattamie Park Country Club and Golf Course.

The homes here are all single family homes built from the 1960s through the 1980s. Homes here typically have three or four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. Over the last several years homes have been selling in the range of $154,000 to $400,000. The average sale price for a house for sale in Pottawattomie Park is $235,680 and the median sale price is $205,000 for mid 2017 through mid 2022.

The Woodlands Michigan City

The Woodlands is a neighborhood of single family homes off of Tryon Rd. The homes here were built in the late 2000s with another phase occurring in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Homes in the first phase have a modern Craftsman styling. Homes in the second phase have a modern Euro-Scandinavian style.

In the early 2020s houses for sale in The Woodlands Michigan City were selling in a range from the lower $300s to the low $700s. The homes typically have three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and over 2,200 finished square feet.

Click here to search for homes for sale in The Woodlands Michigan City.

Tryon Farm Michigan City

Tryon Farm Michigan City is a development started in the 2000s designed to capture both modern home needs while also providing a natural environment all around you. Instead of the closely clustered homes of the suburban neighborhood, Tryon Farm offers homeowners acres of meadows, forest, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a natural setting.

Tryon Farm homes for sale vary by design. Homes range from the rustic, to ultra-contemporary. The typical home has two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and about 1,700 finished square feet. Recently, the average sale price for Tryon Farm houses for sale was $305,129. The median sale price was $335,000.

Shoreland Hills Michigan City

Shoreland Hills is a beach community of about 100 homes located in northeast Michigan City. All of the homes are within walking distance of the beach. A unique feature of Shoreland Hills is that the Shoreland Hills Owners Association actually owns a stretch of the lakefront along Lake Michigan. This starts at Stop 31. There are no homes on the beach at that section. The area is for the use of the residents.

Shoreland Hills homes for sale typically have four bedrooms, more than two bathrooms, and about 2,300 finished square feet. To start the 2020s these homes had a median sale price of $422,250. The average sale price for a house for sale in Shoreland Hills was $504,917.

Click here to search for homes for sale in Shoreland Hills Michigan City.

Duneland Beach Michigan City

Duneland Beach is a lot like Shoreland Beach. They are right next to each other. But, a big difference is that owners of Duneland Beach real estate have even more private beach. Homeowners in Duneland Beach get to share in the use with other owners of about one and one-third miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. That is impressive!

Many of Duneland Beach homes for sale for sale in Duneland Beach are larger than what you would find in Shoreland Hills. The typical size of homes for sale Duneland Beach in Michigan City is four bedrooms, three or more bathrooms, and about over 3,000 finished square feet.

Duneland Beach real estate comes with a premium, too. To start the 2020s Duneland Beach recorded an average sale price of over $1.2MM and a median sale price of $700,000. Keep in mind it is a small neighborhood so just one or two homes can really skew the data.

Click here to search for Duneland Beach homes for sale.

Unique Homes in Michigan City

Michigan City for decades has been an enclave for beachgoers, artists, and entrepreneurs from Chicago. Due to this, Michigan City was lucky enough to see the development of some very interesting homes.

The Frost House

The Frost House is named after the original owners. The home is a prototype modular home from Alside Homes. The home was constructed in Michigan City to showcase the homebuilders unique take on home design and construction which included delivery and set-up of the home in 48 hours. If you are into mid-century modern, it doesn’t get much better than this boxy home with its brightly colored panels and grid-like design.

Barker Mansion

Barker Mansion is a large brick mansion located near downtown Michigan City. The original home was built in 1857, but a large addition to the home was completed in 1909. The Barker Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and today is a museum.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan City

Michigan City FAQ

How many people live in Michigan City, Indiana?

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of Michigan City, Indiana is 32,033 people.

What school system is in Michigan City, Indiana?

Students in Michigan City attend the Michigan City Area Schools District. This school system serves over 5,300 students across its 12 schools. There are several private schools in the Michigan City area, too.

Are there good jobs in Michigan City, Indiana?

Michigan City does have good jobs. Michigan City is home to several leading manufacturers in niche industries. Additionally, outside companies are continuing to invest in Michigan City.

What is there to do in Michigan City, Indiana?

Michigan City has a lot of entertainment options. The city has over 20 parks, is located along the shore of Lake Michigan, is near a national park, has a marina, a zoo, many restaurants, and is home to the Blue Chip Casino and Stardust Entertainment Center.

Does Michigan City have a short term rental ordinance?

Michigan City does allow property owners to rent a portion or the entirety of a home on a short term basis. Owners of properties to be rented for less than 30 days are required to get a permit from the city.

Find Michigan City Homes For Sale On Quadwalls.com

You can start your search for homes for sale in Michigan City, Indiana right here on Quadwalls.com. Our team of real estate agents regularly work in the Michigan City area. We have helped many people buy or sell a home in Michigan City, Indiana.

Or, take things a step further and tell us what you are looking for in a home. You can do that by completing the Quadwalls HomeFinder Assistant. It’s free, fun, and just takes 3 minutes. Click here to complete your HomeFinder Assistant, now!

About Quadwalls.com

Quadwalls.com is a website started by a real estate broker from Valparaiso, Indiana. The purpose of Quadwalls.com is to help home buyers and home sellers make better decisions and save money when buying or selling a home. Quadwalls.com is the smarter way to real estate.

We help homebuyers by helping them find the right home.  We are able to access all of the listed homes for sale in Northwest Indiana.  We will help you navigate every step of the home buying process.  Get started by telling us what you are looking for with the Quadwalls.com HomeFinder Assistant.

If you need to sell a home, we can help with that, too.  We offer a full-feature home selling service and low real estate commission fees.  Click here to learn about our services and fees.