Understanding the Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors which Impact Public Policy in Northwest Indiana

Previously the home of farmland and steel industry, Northwest Indiana has been transitioning into a region of exurbs, suburbs and small cities bordering Lake Michigan and the Chicago metropolitan area. Much of this transition has occurred haphazardly and now there is more interest in the planned development of the region. Thus, a comprehensive census and identification of factors to be considered in this development are prudent for the future success of the region. The purpose of this study is to understand the socioeconomic, demographic and educational characteristics of the region to assist policymakers, business interests and other stakeholders with planning for the future of Northwest Indiana. Measures of population, educational attainment, economic stability, and community demographics will be described and analyzed through geospatial mapping. A preliminary econometric analysis to identify any significant relationships among these community variables and local high school graduation rates will be conducted and discussed. As a result of this cross-sectional study, local and regional scholars, community members and regional planning bodies will have a single source of geospatial data and policy recommendations to inform development initiatives in Northwest Indiana.