EAST CHICAGO

industrial city and port, Lake county, northwestern Indiana, U.S., adjoining Gary, Hammond, and Whiting. It is a part of the Chicago-Calumet industrialized metropolitan complex. Laid out in 1887, its industrial development was stimulated by construction of Indiana Harbor, connected with the Grand Calumet River by a 3-mile (5-kilometre) ship canal and including an extensive system of docks. Its densely concentrated industries include foundries, oil refineries, a refractory, and factories producing chemicals, industrial tanks, and valves. East Chicago's diverse ethnic population includes Mexican-Americans, blacks, and eastern Europeans. Inc. 1889. Pop. (1992 est.) 34,611.