- As of 2012, Crown Point’s population is 27,317 people with Caucasians being the majority race followed by Hispanic, black and other races. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 33.52 percent.
- The median home cost in Crown Point is $161,300. Home appreciation the last year has been 1.70 percent.
- Established in 1834, the northwestern Indiana city of Crown Point lies just 34 miles southeast of Chicago, and 30 minutes south of Lake Michigan’s beaches. The commute time to Chicago is 30.7 minutes.
- The city is surrounded by Merrillville to the north, Winfield to the east, Cedar Lake to the southwest, St. John to the west, and unincorporated Schererville to the northwest.
- Newsweek’s 2013 high school rankings highlight Crown Point High School – it continues to be on Newsweek’s list of “America’s Best Schools” based on their graduation rate, college acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores and the number of students they have enrolled in AP or other advanced courses. Crown Point High School is one of two local schools ranked in the upper half of the list.
- Consistently excellent education for students has earned Crown Point first place in the “Best Place to Live” category for three years in a row, 2010, 2011, 2012.
- There are about 22.3 students per teacher in Crown Point.
- Ranked #4 Best Cities for Teleworking – Extra Large Metro Areas
- Ranked #7 Sleep in the City Study
- Ranked #7 Best Block Party Places
- Among the first permanent settlers in Lake County were Solon Robinson and his wife, Mariah Evans Robinson. The Robinson family arrived in the Crown Point area from LaPorte in October 1834. Other families soon followed and in 1835, the tiny settlement numbered 21 people. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Point,_Indiana
- Notable people: William G. Haan, World War I general; Dan Plesac, Major League pitcher and MLB Network analyst; Richie Roberts, Wide Receivers Coach; Jerry L. Ross, Astronaut; Thelma Strabel, novelist; John Wheeler, Civil War officer; Dean White, Entrepreneur and billionaire.
- The city gained national notoriety in 1934 when FBI “Public Enemy #1” John Dillinger escaped from the “escape-proof” (as it was dubbed by local authorities at the time) Lake County Jail, and again in 2008 when Johnny Depp and Universal Studios came to town to film the big screen version of the escape for the movie Public Enemies at the former county jail facility from which Dillinger guarded by many police and national guardsmen escaped.
- The old Lake County Court House is prominently situated in the heart of downtown Crown Point, which is commonly referred to simply as the square. The first portion of the court house was erected in 1878,[17] with portions being added on all the way up to 1928. Inside the “Grand Old Lady”, there are gift shops, galleries, a restaurant, and a museum which is located on the second floor. It is one of the most toured and photographed country courthouses in the United states. In the warmer months, craft fairs and other cultural events are held around the courthouse and on the grounds.
- The Lake County Fairgrounds are located near the southern portion of Crown Point. The fairgrounds include historic brick exhibition buildings, tree covered hills, rambling walking paths, the county’s only covered bridge (relocated from Rush County in 1933) and a historic grandstand near the swimming area in Fancher Lake
- The Lake County Fair, is the 2nd-largest county fair in the state of Indiana, is held on the fairgrounds each year in early August for 10 days. The Lake County Fair always boasts monster trucks, demolition derby, and an entire arena for horse shows.
- Crown Point, because of its location is known as “The Hub” and the county seat of Lake County, Indiana, which, by the way, hosts the 2nd largest state fair in Indiana.
- Crown Point is the place to go for antique-hunting in Northwest Indiana. The Antique Mall has 3 floors of antiques.
- Crown Point is the 37th largest community in Indiana.
- Deep River Water Park is the largest water park in Northern Indiana.
- Crown Point Offers 19 Parks, including a Municipal Pool, Skate Park and a Seasonal Ice Rink. http://www.crownpoint.in.gov/parksweb/
- The local college is Hyles- Anderson College. In addition, Indiana University Northwest, Ivy Tech Community College Northwest and Purdue University Calumet are nearby.
- The closest commercial airport is the Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary. Other options include Chicago’s O’Hare International or Midway. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW / KMDW) is 42 miles from the center of Crown Point, IN.
- In the fall of 2009, the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce and Merrillville Chamber of Commerce merged to become the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce. Visit http://www.crossroadschamber.org/ to find business connections and resources.
- Over 3,000 ears of corn are eaten every June at the Annual Corn Roast Festival. http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/13203504-418/thousands-pack-crown-point-square-for-annual-corn-roast-festival.html
- In 2009 Red Roc Disc Golf Club and the Lake County Parks were awarded the 2010 World’s Professional Disc Golf Tournament. http://redrocdiscgolf.com/2013_pro_worlds
- The Taste of the Region in Crown Point, held annually in June, invites festgoers to sample the best of the area’s food. http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/13349920-418/taste-of-crown-point.html
- Location of the Covered Bridge is listed in the 1989 World Guide as #14-45-01. Built by Archibald M. Kennedy & Sons in 1878, the bridge was moved to Crown Point in 1933. The Crown Point Covered Bridge is a single span Burr Arch Truss structure 85 feet long.