$135,724Average Value$119Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Suburban-style duplex community in the heart of East Chicago
Sunnyside is a slice of suburban atmosphere in the heart of East Chicago, one of Northwest Indiana’s enduring industrial towns. First established in the early 20th century, the gently curved residential streets and lamppost-style street signs give this enclave a distinct feel from the blocks of Indiana Harbor and the later developments to the south in Prairie Park. “Sunnyside is pretty much all duplexes,“ says Nicholas Smith, a broker with the Nancy Frigo Team at Coldwell Banker Realty. Smith grew up in East Chicago and has sold commercial properties and homes in Northwest Indiana for more than a decade. Smith also points to the area’s connections to Cline Avenue and East Chicago’s down payment assistance program as perks, giving commuters heading northwest into Chicago and first-time homebuyers getting established incentives to choose the area.
Colorful homes line the streets of Sunnyside.
Sunnyside commuters can access the South Shore Station in East Chicago.
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Side-by-side homes and ranch-style properties in northwest Indiana
Duplex homes are the most plentiful housing options in Sunnyside. Many of these properties include Dutch Colonial influences like gambrel roofs and brick exteriors, while others employ minimal traditional styles. Single-family options in the neighborhood include traditional ranch-style homes and split-levels, though finding them on the market can be rare. Listings in Sunnyside generally range from $121,000 to $258,000, with a median home value of about $145,000. According to the Flood Factor index, some areas in the neighborhood near Dearborn Street, Deal Street and Hawthorne Street may experience higher flooding risks during inclement weather.
Buyers of existing homes in East Chicago can apply for a second mortgage of up to $10,000 in forgivable loan funds offered by the city to assist with down payments. Applicants are asked to complete a one-day educational workshop on the home buying process before receiving the funds. “If you work for the city, the library of the East Chicago Housing Authority you can get $5,000 more,” Smith says.
Sunnyside features a number of affordable duplexes.
Bi-level homes are common in parts of Sunnyside.
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Walkable recreation at Sunnyside Park
Sitting at the heart of the neighborhood between three residential lanes, Sunnyside Park is a walkable outdoor stop for locals. Families can head to the park for playtime on the jungle gym or the open field; other amenities include a set of basketball courts and a gazebo for picnics. Smith also points to the East Chicago Marina, about 2 miles north of the neighborhood, as a local favorite for the whole city thanks to its easy access to Lake Michigan. Additional green spaces close by include Callahan Park and Nunez Park to the north.
Sunnyside Park has great sculptures for residents to enjoy.
Sunnyside offers access to scenic views of Lake Michigan, just north on the shoreline.
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Career and technical education at East Chicago Central High School
George Washington Elementary School has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and a C-minus grade on Niche. Joseph L. Block Middle School also holds a C-minus grade. Students at East Chicago Central High School can enroll in any of 12 career and technical education concentrations, including programs for computer science, education and radio and TV broadcasting. The school earns a C grade on Niche.
Alternate options for education in the area include East Chicago Lighthouse, a charter school serving elementary and middle school students that holds a C-minus grade. Indiana Harbor Catholic School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and is unranked on Niche.
George Washington Elementary School is a public school in East Chicago, Indiana.
East Chicago Central High School serves 1,109 students from 9th to 12th grade.
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Stylish get-togethers at Ralo's Cocktail Lounge
Football watch parties, holiday brunch dates and “Sip and Sing” hip hop karaoke nights are some of the regular events at Ralo’s Cocktail Lounge, a club on Alder Street specializing in outings for the over-30 crowd. To the north at the Ameristar Casino, nightlife events accompany the sports betting and slot machine options.
Annual celebrations nearby include Fusic Fest, a three-day summertime festival with live performances, vendors and carnival attractions at the East Chicago Marina each August.
Sunnyside residents can enjoy a night out at the annual Cruise Nights.
The live music is excellent at the Pierogi Drop near Sunnyside.
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Easy commutes to Chicago by car or South Shore Line trains
Cesar Chavez Memorial Drive/U.S. Route 12 and Cline Avenue/Indiana State Road 912 connect Sunnyside to the rest of East Chicago. Commuters heading across the state line into Chicago can expect a 25-mile drive northwest to reach the downtown Loop. Folks looking to save on gas can catch the South Shore Line instead from the East Chicago train station, about 5 miles southwest of the neighborhood.
The nearest emergency room is at St. Catherine Hospital, just south of Sunnyside near Elm Street. Residents traveling beyond Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland can depart out of Chicago Midway International Airport, about 29 miles away from the neighborhood.
Groceries at Strack & Van Til and local stores
Strack & Van Til is about 3 miles southeast for grocery runs, while smaller shops like Harbor Food Center & Beauty Supply and Johnny’s Meat & Fruit Market are closer to home for quick everyday items. Familiar chain stores like Walgreens and Family Dollar are available immediately west of the neighborhood.
Just northwest of the neighborhood on Main Street, Kiya’s Kitchen is a staple for fried chicken, ribs, pot roast and other soul food dishes. El Rancherito is a local favorite for Mexican fare. Several dining options at the Ameristar Casino East Chicago are also a few miles away, including Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta and Red Lotus Asian Kitchen. For quick meals nearby, White Castle sits right next to the neighborhood near Guthrie Street.
Strack & Van Til is where most Sunnyside residents get their fresh produce.
Sunnyside is located just minutes from numerous shopping options in Downtown East Chicago.
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Crime in Sunnyside
According to the CAP index, violent crime is generally higher in Sunnyside than the national average, while property theft is slightly higher. In the mayor’s 2024 State of the City address, the East Chicago Police Department reported a 3.18% drop in overall crime rates in the city and a 50% reduction in homicides from 2022 to 2023. Residents on the south side of the neighborhood near Cesar Chavez Memorial Drive may experience higher noise levels from passing traffic.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary Aaron,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Callahan Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Sunnyside Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago Midway International
40 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sunnyside
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sunnyside Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunnyside, East Chicago sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunnyside, East Chicago over the last 12 months is $127,750, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$140,000
Median Sale Price
$127,750
Median Single Family Sale Price
$139,250
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$119
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
333
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1920
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,260
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary Aaron,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
771
Median Age
42
Population under 18
24.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,192
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,825
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.5%
College Graduates
25.8%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
52.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
47/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
55/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
