29,800+Population
Lake CountyCounty
1889Incorporated
46342Zip Code
38 miTo Downtown Chicago

The Story

About Hobart

Hobart's land was once home to the Potawatomi. Englishman George Earle, who had been trying to establish a town called Liverpool at the junction of the Calumet and Deep Rivers, moved five miles up the Deep River in 1845 and built a dam to power a sawmill and gristmill. The resulting millpond became Lake George. Earle moved the post office from Liverpool in 1847, platted the new town in 1849, and named it for his brother, Frederick Hobart Earle. The town incorporated in 1889 and became a city in 1921.

Hobart was historically a primarily residential community, though recent annexation has added a significant retail corridor along Route 30. Hobart High School's nickname, the "Brickies," nods to the city's brick-manufacturing heritage.

Real Estate

The Hobart Housing Market

Hobart's housing market is largely established and residential, centered around the Lake George waterfront and downtown, with continued growth along the Route 30 retail corridor. Buyers are typically drawn by the waterfront setting, proximity to Chicago, and an easy drive to the broader Hobart/Merrillville shopping and dining corridor.

Home values shift block by block. The team builds every comparative market analysis using a verified methodology — a 1-mile radius, comparable square footage within 20%, matching bed and bath count, and similar age, garage, and basement — so Hobart buyers and sellers get a number they can trust, not a computer-generated estimate. Call or text 630-912-9129 for current, verified Hobart market data.

Market Data

Current Hobart Market Data

Education

Schools in Hobart

Most of Hobart is served by the School City of Hobart.

  • Hobart High School (the Brickies) is the district's high school. A small portion of the city near the Lake Station border falls within the River Forest Community School Corporation instead.

Outdoors

Parks & Recreation

Hobart's parks system centers on its namesake lake and a major county park just south of downtown.

  • Lake George — a 270-acre millpond bordered by Lakefront Park, with a pier and gazebo near the downtown library, and Festival Park, connected by a covered bridge and home to a summer farmers market, live music, and outdoor movies.
  • Deep River County Park — a 1,362-acre Lake County park with Wood's Historic Grist Mill, built in 1837–38 and representing the first settlement industry in Lake County, plus a visitor center and the Deep River Grinders vintage baseball team.

Around Town

Things to Do, Dining & Shopping

Downtown Hobart, at Main and 3rd Streets, anchors much of the city's day-to-day dining and shopping, alongside a busy regional corridor.

  • The Hobart/Merrillville corridor along Route 30, home to a wide variety of restaurants, shopping, and hotels — including the well-known Albanese Candy Factory.
  • Seasonal events at Wood's Historic Grist Mill, including Maple Syrup Time each spring and vintage-rules Deep River Grinders baseball games.

Getting Around

Location & Commute

Hobart sits about 38 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, directly adjacent to Gary in Lake County, with access via U.S. 30 and nearby connections to Interstate 65.

Local Expertise

Buying or Selling in Hobart?

Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese work with buyers and sellers throughout Hobart and greater Lake County, applying the team's verified comp methodology to a market centered on the Lake George waterfront.

  • 615+Transactions Closed
  • $113M+Sales Volume
  • 103.7%*List-to-Sale Ratio
  • 2003Licensed Since

*Based on 22 sellers who listed at the team's recommended starting price, averaging 103.7% of list price at 13 days to contract — compared to MRED's 98.4% and NIRA's 95.8% 12-month market averages (as of Aug 2026).

Call or Text the Team: 630-912-9129

FAQ

Hobart Real Estate: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hobart, IN a good place to buy a home?
Hobart has historically been primarily residential, with recent annexation adding a significant retail corridor along Route 30. Its Lake George waterfront and proximity to Chicago continue to draw steady buyer demand.
What school district serves Hobart, IN?
Most of Hobart is served by the School City of Hobart, including Hobart High School. A small portion of the city near the Lake Station border falls within the River Forest Community School Corporation.
How far is Hobart from downtown Chicago?
Hobart is approximately 38 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, adjacent to Gary in Lake County.
What is Hobart, IN known for?
Hobart is known for Lake George, its downtown waterfront millpond, Deep River County Park and Wood's Historic Grist Mill, and Hobart High School's "Brickies" nickname, which nods to the city's brick-manufacturing heritage.
Who should I contact to buy or sell a home in Hobart, IN?
Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese of Constellation Home Sales | Freedom Group Global serve Lake County and all of Northwest Indiana. Call or text 630-912-9129 for a verified market analysis.

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