$332,281Average Value$190Average Price per Sq Ft69Homes For Sale
Cedar Lake started as a resort getaway
In the late 19th century, a small area in northwest Indiana started to gain attention from Chicagoans. When the railroad was built, many people came to Cedar Lake and its namesake waterway to escape the bustling city about 45 miles away. By the early 1900s, 50 hotels were around the water and big musical acts performed in dance halls and ballrooms. One of the hotels is now a history museum, and one of the dance pavilions is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the resort aspect is gone, but the lake still spans 800 acres, making it one of the largest in the state, says Dave Harkabus, a local associate broker at Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Realty who grew up in the area. “It’s big enough to do whatever you want on a lake. And something is going on even in the winter.”
Homes on Cedar Lake provide easy access to the water.
The Museum at Lassen's Resort is an homage to the regions century-old history,.
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Lemon Lake County Park is another attraction
"I think one of the most overlooked things about Cedar Lake is Lemon Lake County Park,” Harkabus says. “They’ve put in a world-class disc golf course that people come from all over to play.” There are also walking paths, pavilions, a bird sanctuary, fishing and two dog parks. “To buy a house across the street from there, your backyard is 400 acres,” he adds. The Cedar Lake Yacht Club puts on sailboat races, and during the winter, when the lake freezes over, there are motorcycle races on the ice.
Many residents of Cedar Lake enjoy outdoor activities such as disc golf.
Kids will enjoy playing for hours outdoors at the Lemon Lake County Park in Cedar Lake.
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From the lakefront to the outer reaches of Cedar Lake
In Cedar Lake’s tourist heyday, cottages lined the lakefront. In some cases, cottages are at the foundation of a much larger house, but some are in their original form. Further from the lake are some newly constructed homes and more townhouses and condos. Although the median house price in Cedar Lake is below the national average at about $315,000, some houses surrounding the lake are priced in the millions. The median is slightly lower than the nearby communities of St. John, at about $365,000 and Crown Point, at nearly $455,000. The tax advantage is another benefit to living in Cedar Lake because it’s in Indiana rather than Illinois. “The difference is insane. I have a $500,000 house in nearby Schererville, and the annual taxes are around $2,900,” Harkabus says. “You put my house in Illinois - the taxes are $14,000.” The Illinois state line is only 7 miles west.
Cedar Lake is a neighborhood that features a mix of both modern and traditional houses.
Boating enthusiasts will enjoy Cedar Lake's large stock of lakefront homes.
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Things to know
Violent crime reached a 10-year peak in 2020 but has steadily declined since then, according to FBI data. Overall crime rates are low for the area, particularly as property crime has also steadily declined by 76% since 2015.
Restaurants with views of Cedar Lake
Some popular waterfront restaurants and bars offer scenic views of the water. “The Lighthouse Restaurant is the most popular. They serve 1,500 people on Mother’s Day alone,” Harkabus says. More restaurant and retail options exist away from the lake on Brunswick Road and Parrish Avenue. Nearby St. John or Crown Point, less than 10 miles away, have even more choices.
Dividing line between Crown Point and Hanover Schools
Cline Avenue is the dividing line between the two school districts serving the town. Children east of that line go to Crown Point Community School Corporation, rated an A on Niche, while the rest attend Hanover Community School Corporation, which gets an A-minus. The Crown Point Corporation has a little over 9,000 students in the district, while Hanover is much smaller at just 2,700.
Hanover Central Middle School is a highly rated, public school in Cedar Lake.
Hanover Central High School serves students from all nearby towns, including Cedar Lake.
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The closest hospital is near I-65
Interstate 65 is about 13 miles east of the community, helping connect the area to Gary and Chicago to the north. Franciscan Health Crown Point is the closest major hospital off the interstate. There’s no local bus service in Cedar Lake, but commuters can take a Gary Public Transportation express bus route from Crown Point to Gary. Around Gary and nearby East Chicago, commuters can also board South Shore Line commuter trains to reach other job centers in the region.
Written By
Jeff Stapleton
Photography Contributed By
Nadia George
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shawn Smead,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Cedar Lake, IN sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Cedar Lake, IN over the last 12 months is $319,900, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 13950 Nantucket Dr, Cedar Lake - located in the desirable Beacon Pointe neighborhood!This beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhome offers comfortable, low-maintenance living with an open-concept layout perfect for everyday life and entertaining. The kitchen features granite countertops, ample cabinetry, and flows seamlessly into the spacious living area.The primary bedroom
The OAKWOOD ...open floor plan 1 level living. Large kitchen with walk in pantry. Den/ flex room. Photos are of previously built OAKWOOD , example photos, only ... all selections are per buyer preference, some items not standard. Approx 6 months build , other lots available
The Manchester . Proposed construction to custom build. 4 upper level bedrooms with 'loft' area , upper level laundry. Open main level with den/ flex room. Full unfinished basement, Many upgraded features are included (not all features shown in photos are standard)All selections are per customers choice, several lots to choose from
PRICED UNDER MARKET VALUE - This QUALITY BUILT HOME is LOADED with HIGH END FEATURES / UPGRADES and AVAILABLE NOW! Premium lot with a spectacular view and NO BACKYARD NEIGHBORS! Main floor features an open concept living area with 9ft ceilings, gas fireplace and premium engineered hardwood floors. Kitchen has quality soft close cabinets, custom floating shelves, farmhouse sink, granite
Great investment opportunity, lake view property rest on 6 parcels, around 45 minutes to downtown Chicago, just minutes from public boat launch and two local marinas, home needs lots of works you can start as new canvas or built the home of your dreams.
Investor's Dream in Cedar Lake, Indiana - A True Blank Canvas with Major Upgrades Already Done!Welcome to this fantastic opportunity in the heart of Cedar Lake! Whether you're an investor, looking for a cozy weekend retreat, a potential Airbnb rental, or even a future permanent residence, this home offers incredible flexibility and value.This property is a genuine blank canvas -- the interior has
Charming 3-Bedroom Home in the Heart of Cedar Lake – Available June 1, 2025!Discover your perfect home on a peaceful, dead-end street in vibrant Cedar Lake! This inviting 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom gem offers everything you need for comfortable living. Nestled directly across from the Cedar Lake Town Grounds and the popular Lighthouse Restaurant, you’ll enjoy the best of small-town charm with
Two bedroom, 2 bath home with finished basement. Nestled in a lovely community. Security deposit equal to one month's rent due at signing. Maximum of 2 pets allowed with additional fee.
2025 renovation of this single level home with 4 beds and 2 full baths and Crown Point Schools with bus service! Plenty of room to spread out on almost 4 acres. Location, location, location. this home is just a couple blocks from the waters of Cedar Lake and the Lighthouse restaurant five star restaurant.Completely new electric, plumbing, high efficiency 96% HVAC, super-high efficient
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