Hobart, Indiana
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Hobart is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 25,363 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Hobart is located at (41.528715, -87.267420)[Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.2 km² (26.7 mi²). 67.9 km² (26.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (1.83%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 25,363 people, 9,855 households, and 6,977 families residing in the city. The population density was 373.6/km² (967.5/mi²). There were 10,299 housing units at an average density of 151.7/km² (392.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.73% White, 1.39% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.60% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.05% of the population.There were 9,855 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,759, and the median income for a family was $55,078. Males had a median income of $43,702 versus $26,619 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,508. 4.8% of the population and 2.9% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
History
Hobart was named by founder George Earle in honor of his brother, Frederick Hobart Earle.After purchasing land from the Potowatomi Indians, Earle founded the city in 1846 and built the city's first business: a grist mill.
Hobart was home to numerous brickyards in the nineteenth century, including the W.B. Owen Terra Cotta Works, the Natco yards, and the Kulage Brick Works. This provided Hobart High School with its unique nickname for its athletic teams: the Brickies. Under head coach Don Howell, the Hobart Brickies won the Indiana state championship for football in 1987, 1989, 1991, and 1993.
Recreation
Hobart is home to Lake George, a popular place for people to gather to walk along with city's waterfront. Couples getting married are often seen taking pictures at a gazebo near the Hobart branch of the Lake County Public Library. Musical entertainment can be found near the clock tower in Lakefront Park and at the Revelli Bandshell during the warm months. People enjoy fishing, boating, and strolling along the shores of Lake George.During the winter, fishermen and women enjoy ice fishing on Robinson Lake on the city's west side.
The city features 14 parks, 2 public 18-hole golf courses, and many sports fields for basketball, football, baseball, soccer, rugby, and many other sports. A skateboard park is located in Pavese Park. The city recently bought an outdoor swimming pool. The Oak Savannah rails-to-trails route cuts through the city and offers biking and hiking. Mundell Field has a quarter-mile outdoor oval track for walking.
Hobart is home to one of Indiana's largest indoor shopping malls: Westfield Shoppingtown Southlake, located in the southern part of the city near the intersection of US 30 and Interstate 65. The area is filled with outdoor strip malls that contain over 200 stores and restaurants.
Hobart residents drive 15 minutes west to visit casino boats on Lake Michigan and 15 minutes east to visit the national lakeshore, which is approximately 15 thousand acres containing beaches, sand dunes, bogs, and protected wildlife.
Hobart is approx. 1 hour from downtown Chicago and many residents take advantage of this proximity to enjoy the world-class offerings of The Windy City.
Business
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre. Hobart is also home to Westfield Shoppingtown Southlake Mall and many surrounding shopping and restaurant attractions. The nearest airports serving Hobart are the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) in Gary and Midway and O'Hare Airports in nearby Chicago, Illinois.External links
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