Burns Harbor Indiana Map

About Burns Harbor, Indiana

Burns Harbor is a locality in Porter County, Indiana, United States. It has a population of approximately 2,155. The population density is 131.8 people per km². Burns Harbor is located at 41.6259°N, 87.1334°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. ZIP code: 46304.

Burns Harbor lies at the western edge of Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline, a place where the vast, grey expanse of the lake meets a landscape shaped by both industry and a resilient natural spirit. It lies 4.1 miles north-north-east of Portage, IN (from Portage, IN: bearing 33°T), and is situated 9.0 miles north-east of Hobart. The air here often carries the faint, briny tang of the water, a constant reminder of the immense lake that defines its northern border. Beyond the immediate waterfront, the terrain gently rises, a mosaic of low dunes, pockets of sandy soil supporting hardy grasses and wind-swept trees, and stretches of more fertile ground that hint at the agricultural past of the broader region. The light, particularly in the late afternoon, can transform the ordinary into something luminous, painting the sky in hues of apricot and rose that reflect softly on the lake’s surface, a quiet spectacle for those who pause to witness it. The history of Burns Harbor is deeply intertwined with the industrial ambitions that sought to harness the power of Lake Michigan. It grew from a vision of a deepwater port and steel manufacturing hub, an endeavor that fundamentally altered the character of the land. The colossal presence of the steel mill, its structures rising like metallic monoliths against the horizon, has been the economic engine of Burns Harbor for decades, shaping its development and the lives of its residents. Yet, even amidst this industrial might, the natural world persists; the Indiana Dunes National Park, a jewel of biodiversity, presses close, offering a stark and beautiful contrast. This proximity to both heavy industry and pristine natural beauty is a defining characteristic of Burns Harbor, a place where the rhythm of production coexists with the timeless pulse of the lake and the dunes.

About This Burns Harbor Map Page

This page provides an interactive Google map of Burns Harbor, Indiana with street, satellite and terrain views and integrated Street View imagery. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Burns Harbor and Porter County.

Detailed location data for Burns Harbor includes the ZIP code (46304), telephone area code (260), county seat of Porter County (Valparaiso), and school district assignment (Duneland School Corporation). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Burns Harbor is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.