$111,116Average Value$88Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Gary’s most recently-added neighborhood
The Little Calumet River runs through Black Oak, Gary’s most recently-added community on the southwest corner of the city. Annexed by the city in 1976, the neighborhood was previously an unincorporated area associated with nearby Hammond. As a result, parks are run by Lake County instead of the city and homeowners have Hammond phone numbers. The neighborhood’s newest addition is Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, bringing with it the potential for economic growth.
Getting to Chicagoland and the South Shore
Interstate 94 West takes Black Oak residents on a straight shot to downtown Chicago in about 34 miles. They head in the opposite direction for quick medical care at Methodist Hospitals Midlake Campus, as well as the campus for Indiana University Northwest, which sits about 5 miles from the community. Methodist Hospitals is a four-mile drive away, down the street from the Gary stop on the South Shore Line into Chicagoland, which takes about an hour. For commercial flights, Chicago-Midway International Airport is about 30 miles away.
New renovations and fixer uppers in Black Oak
“The community itself is on the rise with the Hard Rock Casino and is a very big flip community,” says Jennifer Parham, Managing Broker and Owner of Lighthouse Realty. “House prices have gone up quite a bit.” Ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and mobile homes—some with up to four bedrooms—are the predominant styles available in Black Oak. They’re surrounded by foliage cover and plenty of space on all sides. The most recently renovated options are priced as high as $225,000, with fixer-uppers available as low as $33,000.
Shopping and dining near Black Oak
For groceries, locals can head to Fresh County Market on the northeast side of the neighborhood. There is also an Aldi on the east end of the neighborhood and the southwest corner. They can find fast-food favorites southeast of the neighborhood on West Ridge Road or stop in at Phillys Steak & Lemonade while headed down Interstate 94.
Afternoons at Lake Etta County Park
Late Etta County Park sits off West 29th Avenue as the only park located fully within Gary and a tranquil spot for families and friends. The park features 112 acres of hiking trails, a fishing pier and a canoe launch on the Little Calumet River, as well as a banquet hall and wedding pergola. Spring Park located on Chase Street is a small park featuring an artesian well where neighbors can come and fill up their jugs with fresh spring water. Kids run off steam on the playground at Seberger Park.
Schools for Black Oak Students
Some students in Black Oak are zoned for Steel City Academy, a public charter school for students in grades K-12 that earns a C-plus from Niche. The school is hailed for its small class sizes and strong student-teacher bonds, as well as its college visit opportunities and college readiness focus. Others start at Aspire Charter Academy before moving on to Calumet High School; these options receive a C-minus and a C-plus, respectively. For parents looking to enroll their kids in private school, Ambassador Christian Academy is just to the east of the neighborhood and provides a faith-based private education for K-8 students. Indiana University Northwest is also just to the east of Black Oak and boasts a strong dental program.
The arrival of Hard Rock Casino
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana also has five restaurants and is conveniently located in the northwest corner of the neighborhood near Interstate 94. Opened in May of 2021, the casino features a large gaming floor and concert venue where visitors catch national comedy and music acts. The casino also features Joe Jackson’s original guitar, Michael’s famous glove, the red leather jacket from the “Beat It” music video and other memorabilia from Gary’s most famous family.
Environmental remediation in Black Oak
Because the Little Calumet River contains hazardous contaminants like PCBs from illegal waste dumping, residents should have caution when using the waters for recreational purposes, such as fishing and swimming. Black Oak is also the site of Lake Sandy Jo, a now-closed landfill located at 3615 West 25th Avenue. This site is under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund National Priority List, and the agency continues to monitor the site’s groundwater and other factors after remediations completed in 1994.
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Black Oak Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Black Oak, Gary sell after 105 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Black Oak, Gary over the last 12 months is $75,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
