| City: | Wheeler, Indiana |
| County: | Porter County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:00:30 PM |
| Population: | 376 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 219 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.5113, -87.1784 |
| Land Area: | 1.717 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Wheeler is a small Porter County community where PO Boxes handle the bulk of mail service. The post office maintains 125 PO Boxes for a population of 376 residents across 140 households. That's an adoption rate of 89%, meaning nearly every household opts for a PO Box rather than relying solely on street delivery. The community spans just 0.15 square miles, making it one of Indiana's more compact ZIP codes.
Delivery here follows a mixed pattern. There's one city carrier route alongside a rural route that serves outlying areas. Street delivery exists for five streets including Main Street, Railroad Avenue, and North Street, but most residents stick with PO Boxes. The median household income sits at $36,645, with a median home value of $135,200. Wheeler's 376 residents have a median age of 36.3 years, slightly younger than many rural Indiana communities.
Wheeler's five streets reflect classic small-town Indiana layout: a Main Street core, Railroad Avenue marking the historic rail line that gave the town purpose, and a simple numbered grid of side streets. The presence of Railroad Avenue alongside numbered streets suggests Wheeler developed as a railway stop, with the rail corridor anchoring the community's identity.
ZIP Code 46393 has 376 residents and 140 households (average 2.69 persons per household). The median age is 36.3 years, slightly younger than the state (38.2) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 58.8% male and 41.2% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (88.8%, much higher than the state average of 77.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (9.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 9.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 376Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 216Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 219.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $56,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 140Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $143,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.69Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.03Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 412 | 337 | 411 | 199 | 290 | 248 | 318 | 322 | 296 | 214 | 217 | 148 | 128 | 216 |
| Decennial Census | 399 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 376 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 36.3
Male Median Age: 34.9
Female Median Age: 38.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12 | 21 | 26 | 9 | 20 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 21 | 18 | 3 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Female | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Total | 19 | 29 | 35 | 17 | 37 | 25 | 17 | 22 | 8 | 26 | 35 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 8 | 5 |
| White: | 334 | 89.07% |
| Black: | 3 | 0.80% |
| Hispanic:* | 34 | 9.07% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 4 | 1.07% |
| Total: | 375 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 221 | 58.78% | 34.9 years |
| Females: | 155 | 41.22% | 38.5 years |
| Total: | 376 | 100% | 36.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 216 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 216 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 216 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $56,250, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is down $417 (0.7%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $56,250. Family households earn a median of $98,611 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $98,611). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($47,719), with a current gap of $0 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 54.7%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (64.0%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Production (31.2%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,667 | $58,229 | $66,563 | $54,063 | $42,361 | $65,063 | $59,961 | $58,333 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35,441 | $36,645 | $56,250 |
| Median Family Income | $105,369 | $107,566 | $110,481 | $64,063 | $54,464 | $66,250 | $59,492 | $59,410 | $60,100 | $61,908 | $64,342 | $0 | $0 | $98,611 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $14,479 | $33,125 | $28,958 | $29,219 | $29,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35,662 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $63,920 | $63,125 | $65,991 | $26,691 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $27,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $40,729 | $27,321 | $26,875 | $26,979 | $0 | $46,125 | $45,417 | $30,694 | $30,357 | $30,859 | $33,125 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 93 | 54.71% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 77 | 45.29% |
| Total: | 170 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 26 | 27.96% |
| Service: | 13 | 13.98% |
| Sales and Office: | 3 | 3.23% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 22 | 23.66% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 29 | 31.18% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 93 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $143,600, which is considerably lower than the national median ($303,400), is down $7,800 (5.15%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $24,600. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,020), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 89.22% (53.85% with a mortgage, 46.15% free-and-clear) and renters 10.78% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 0.00%, which is much lower than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $151,400 | $134,900 | $237,500 | $111,800 | $114,100 | $116,000 | $111,400 | $110,600 | $168,200 | $0 | $0 | $191,300 | $135,200 | $143,600 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 11 | 100.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 11 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 49 | 48.04% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 42 | 41.18% |
| Renter Occupied: | 11 | 10.78% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 102 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 102 | 100.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 102 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 102 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 102 | 100% |
In 2024, 8.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 4.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 16.70%, which is on par with the state rate (8.40%), up 16.30 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 16.30 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (56.10%). College enrollment is 56.10%, which is on par with the state rate (24.10%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 80 | 47.06% |
| Some college, no degree: | 52 | 30.59% |
| Associate's degree: | 23 | 13.53% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 15 | 8.82% |
| Total: | 170 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 170 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 15 | 8.82% |
| Private Insurance: | 174 | 73.73% |
| Public Insurance: | 52 | 22.03% |
| No Insurance: | 10 | 4.24% |
| Total: | 236 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 226 | 95.76% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 16.3% | 16.7% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 18 | 43.90% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 23 | 56.10% |
| Total: | 41 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 18 | 43.90% |
ZIP Code 46393 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 7 business establishments, employing about 21 people with an annual payroll of $565,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 150Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 7Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $118,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $565,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 21Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 46393 is located in Porter County, Indiana, within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 16980) and Indiana's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 9,461,105 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 46393, and is subdivided into the Lake County-Porter County-Jasper County, IN division. It covers 1.717 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 16980Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | Lake County-Porter County-Jasper County, IN (CBSA Div 29414)Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 9,461,105Source: Census |
| MSA: | Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 1.717 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1157.02 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Gary, IN PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1883600Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Wheeler CDP; IndianaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 46393 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.