Tolleston
Suburban Neighborhood in Gary, Indiana
Lake County 46404
Renovated split-levels and ranch fixer-uppers
While residential development began 1910s, most of Tolleston's current houses were built from the late 1940s into the 1960s. Ranch-style and minimal traditional small architecture are present, along with split-level homes and a few Craftsman bungalows. Homes needing renovation and as-is purchases range from about $15,000 to $80,000. Updated properties and move-in-ready homes start at about $90,000 and top out near $300,000.Multi-family properties are rare and include dedicated condo developments and converted single-family houses. Values generally range from $29,000 to $125,000.
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Youth enrichment programs and pickup games near Tolleston Park
Tolleston Park is the neighborhood’s main spot for outdoor recreation. Two basketball courts are available for pickup games, and a playground, picnic area and running track are also on the grounds. Just south of the neighborhood, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana has a tech center with a recording studio, professional video equipment and mentors to help kids learn new skills. There are plans to expand the facility into the Tolleston Opportunity Campus, with additional services from the Crossroads YMCA and Methodist Hospitals. Construction is slated to begin on the facility in early 2025.A few blocks west of the namesake park, volunteers grow peanuts, roses, corn and other edible plant life at Oases Botanic Gardens. Established on the parking lot of a former Army Reserve building, the entrance to the garden has a flag made with flowers to pay tribute to the site’s origins.
Education at Lake County Schools
Gary is served by the Gary Community School Corporation. Due to financial troubles, the school district was placed under direct state control from 2017 to 2024. Beveridge Elementary School holds a D grade on Niche, while Gary Middle School for the Performing Arts earns a D-plus. West Side Leadership Academy students can earn college credit with Advanced Placement courses or learn technical skills through the Gary Area Career Center. The school earns a C-minus grade on Niche.Additional educational options in the area include Steel City Academy, a charter school serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school holds a C grade on Niche.
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The unique silhouette of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church at the corner of West 19th Street and Ellsworth Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Originally built in 1958, the church’s distinctive modern design garnered praise from the American Institute of Architects and the Church Architectural Guild in 1960. The historically Black congregation held Sunday mass services for more than 65 years.Several popular destinations along the south shore of Lake Michigan are a short drive out from Tolleston. Miller Woods Beach is a go-to summer hangout 6 miles north of the neighborhood, with three national parks along the shore and a prime view of the Chicago skyline on clear days.
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Transportation around Tolleston
Interstate 94 connects residents to the Chicago Loop, 31 miles to the northwest, and Chicago Midway International Airport. Downtown Gary is 2 miles southwest. Methodist Northlake Hospital is north of the neighborhood on Grant Street.Grocery shopping at Fresh County Market and local soul food
Shopping and dining options are mostly south of the neighborhood. Fresh County Market is near 25th Street, Fresh County Market with a large selection of groceries while Dollar General and Dollar Tree are near Grant Street. Local convenience markets such as Westside Foods and Grant Gas & Mini Food Mart are nearby for snacks and light groceries. Popcorn World has more than 90 flavors of popcorn, including standard butter, kettle corn and white cheddar as well as novelty options like root beer float or jerk-flavored popcorn.BJ’s Cafe Comfort Food & Catering serves a Sunday afternoon dinner with baked chicken, collard greens, candied yams and other soulful selections. Harold’s Chicken Shack specializes in fried chicken, but also serves catfish, shrimp and “Oooh Wee Tea.” Chains like Sharks Fish & Chicken and Little Caesars provide takeout options.
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Important to know
Tolleston’s CAP Index scores for some categories of violent crime run higher than the national average. Project Outreach and Prevention is one of the local organizations started to curtail youth violence in the city of Gary and northwest Indiana, with clubs and social services offered in the area to support teens and young adults.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Photography Contributed By
Evan Brightfield
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Gene Ayers
Gene Ayers
Ayers REALTORS(r)
(219) 979-6529
138 Total Sales
1 in Tolleston
$173,900 Price
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Jeff McCormick
Jeff McCormick
McCormick Real Estate, Inc.
(219) 491-2854
730 Total Sales
39 in Tolleston
$1K - $280K Price Range
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Randy Hoyle
RH
Randy Hoyle
Randall Hoyle
(219) 244-5445
76 Total Sales
2 in Tolleston
$90K - $160K Price Range
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Kelly Harris
Kelly Harris
F.C. Tucker Company
(463) 213-9788
66 Total Sales
1 in Tolleston
$124,000 Price
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Alejandrina Perez de Davila
Alejandrina Perez de Davila
Homes on Demand Realty
(219) 247-7472
138 Total Sales
4 in Tolleston
$38K - $210K Price Range
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Michelle Zupan
Michelle Zupan
Key Realty Indiana, LLC
(219) 500-8408
217 Total Sales
1 in Tolleston
$33,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Brunswick Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Lake Etta County Park
- Fishing
- Lake
- Picnic Area
Tolleston Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Patcher Park
- Basketball
- Pool
- Parking Lot
Indiana Dunes National Park
- Bike Trails
- Camping
- Fishing
Gary Green Link Trail Trailhead
- Trails
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Tolleston | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Tolleston Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tolleston, Gary sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Tolleston, Gary over the last 12 months is $124,900, up 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$135,000
Median Sale Price
$124,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$129,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$36,650
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$131,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
135
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
25%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$82
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,402
Number of Homes for Sale
31
Median Year Built
1955
Months of Supply
2.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,366
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,957
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,387
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,240
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
11,644
Median Age
41
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,642
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,921
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.3%
College Graduates
15.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.5%
% Population in Labor Force
49.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
42''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
27
/ 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.
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Revamped 20th-century homes near I-90 and Gary/Chicago International Airport
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