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
Shena Penachio,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Cedar Lake, IN sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Cedar Lake, IN over the last 12 months is $324,500, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to the one you've been waiting for! This beautiful 3-bedroom, 3-bath ranch offers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and thoughtful design. Need extra space? The finished basement features a possible 4th bedroom--just add an egress window to unlock even more living potential. Built new for the current owners, no detail was overlooked. They selected every available builder upgrade,
Sales Center / Model Home - Not Available for Occupancy Until 2028 Showcasing the craftsmanship and design standards of Lakeside Subdivision, this impressive 4-bedroom model home blends refined modern finishes with warm rustic character. Designed to inspire, the two-story great room features a striking gas fireplace with custom wood trim, creating a dramatic yet inviting focal point ideal for
Why wait to build when you can move into a beautifully upgraded, nearly new home today? This one-year-old ranch villa offers all the benefits of new construction--without the wait, added expense, or unfinished projects. From the moment you enter, you'll appreciate the open-concept design, abundant natural light, and stylish finishes throughout. The spacious kitchen features a large center island,
Welcome to 14752A Drummond Street in Cedar Lake, Indiana! This 2-bedroom, 2-bath half-duplex offers a spacious interior, quality finishes, and an excellent opportunity for homeowners or real estate investors. The entryway opens into an oversized living room with plenty of space for relaxing, entertaining, or creating a home office area. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, granite countertops,
Need space? This beautifully maintained 4 bedroom home in Cedar Lake offers nearly 3,000 sq ft of comfortable living space with an open concept layout and stylish decor. The main level features vaulted ceilings and engineered hardwood flooring throughout the living room, dining room, and bedrooms, with ceramic tile in the kitchen. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and a center
Incredible Craftsman Home Set on a Perimeter Lot overlooking a Pond. Check out this 5 bedroom 2 story with over 3600 sq ft. Recently built with quality features including whole house water filtration, water softener, high efficiency furnace A/C, LoE Windows, finished garage, Engineered Wood floors & custom trim. Room for expansion with an unfinished basement just waiting for your ideas. Highly
Country Living with Income Potential in Lowell, Indiana. Nestled on 10 sprawling acres, this 1,320 sq. ft. all-brick 3 bedroom, 1 bath, ranch is the perfect canvas for your rural dreams. Offering the sturdy bones of a classic brick build and the rare advantage of established agricultural land, this property is as much an investment as it is a home. Property Highlights: Income-Generating Land:
Model Home - Not Available for Occupancy Until 2027 Showcasing the craftsmanship and design standards of Lakeside Subdivision, this impressive 4-bedroom model home blends refined modern finishes with warm rustic character. Designed to inspire, the two-story great room features a striking gas fireplace with custom wood trim, creating a dramatic yet inviting focal point ideal for everyday living
This well-maintained bi-level home offers a strong combination of structural quality, thoughtful upgrades, and future expansion potential. Situated on a 10,400 sq ft lot, the property provides both functional indoor space and well-designed outdoor living. Property Overview Style: Bi-Level Upper Level: ~1,500 finished sq ft Lower Level: ~1,500 sq ft (unfinished - excellent potential for additional
Imagine your dream home on nearly a quarter-acre of prime land near the tranquil shores of Cedar Lake. This spacious lot offers endless possibilities--whether you envision a custom home, a private retreat, or a weekend getaway. With easy access to the lake, parks, and local amenities, this is your chance to create a haven in a truly sought-after location. Don't miss out--secure your slice of
IT'S NOT THE HOUSE! IT'S THE 10+ ACRES ON RT 41 / WICKER AV. CURRENTLY ZONED R3 RESIDENTIAL! COMMERCIAL BUSINESS (B2) ARE POPPING UP AS NEIGHBORS. 2 LOTS:Parcel Number 45-15-09-301-006.000-013Parcel Number 45-15-09-301-007.000-013OLD SURVEYS ARE AVAILABLE; IF THE HOUSE WANTS TO BE SEEN, PLEASE ADVISE LIST AGENT AND ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE.
Prime Lot Steps from Cedar Lake - Build Your Dream Retreat! Discover the perfect opportunity to create your own lakeside getaway! This wonderful lot sits just steps from beautiful Cedar Lake and offers the potential for lake rights. Located in the highly sought-after Crown Point School District, this property combines natural charm with an unbeatable location. The land is raw and will need
Welcome to easy one-level living in this beautifully maintained 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom patio home tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac! Offering 1,517 square feet, this home features a spacious layout with hardwood floors in the living room and a bright sun room overlooking a peaceful meadow setting. The kitchen comes complete with all appliances including the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and
Welcome home to the one you've been waiting for! This beautiful 3-bedroom, 3-bath ranch offers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and thoughtful design. Need extra space? The finished basement features a possible 4th bedroom--just add an egress window to unlock even more living potential. Built new for the current owners, no detail was overlooked. They selected every available builder upgrade,
Impeccable Like-New Paired Villa in Cedar Lake's Hottest New Community! Welcome to this stunning, model-like paired villa in Cedar Lake's premier new subdivision -- built in 2023 with the coveted Designer Package! Barely lived in (owners stay here part time!) and meticulously maintained, this home feels brand new without the wait of new construction. Step inside and you'll be greeted by abundant
***Immediately Available***Come and lease this beautiful home in Rose Garden Estates! Built in 2023 with outstanding open floor plan and plenty of space for you to entertain. Multiple living spaces including potential for a home office on the 1st floor. 4 generously sized bedrooms on the upper level with a laundry room upstairs as well as a Primary Bedroom with an Ensuite and 2
Experience lakefront living at its finest on beautiful Cedar Lake. This gated 3 bedroom, 4 bath residence offers breathtaking panoramic water views and a seamless open-concept layout designed for both everyday comfort and effortless entertaining. Walls of windows frame the lake from the main living spaces, filling the home with natural light and capturing stunning sunrise and sunset vistas. The
Prospective tenants are NOT REQUIRED TO PAY 3rd Party Application fees. ALL applications MUST be submitted via the PMI NWI website. Applications submitted through 3RD PARTY websites/vendors WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.PLEASE SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS THROUGH THE "REQUEST A TOUR", "CHECK AVAILABILITY" or other contact options provided.Enjoy lake living in this spacious and updated 3-bedroom,
** $250 CREDIT WITH AN AUGUST MOVE-IN** Prospective tenants are NOT REQUIRED TO PAY 3rd Party Application fees. ALL applications MUST be submitted via the PMI NWI website. Applications submitted through 3RD PARTY websites/vendors WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.PLEASE SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS THROUGH THE "REQUEST A TOUR", "CHECK AVAILABILITY" or other contact options provided.Welcome
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