Porter County, Indiana

Porter County is a county located in the state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population is 146,798. The county's county seat is Valparaiso, Indiana⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,351 km² (522 mi²). 1,083 km² (418 mi²) of it is land and 268 km² (104 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 19.84% water. This county is part of Chicagoland.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 146,798 people, 54,649 households, and 39,729 families residing in the county. The population density is 136/km² (351/mi²). There are 57,616 housing units at an average density of 53/km² (138/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 95.33% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 4.82% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 54,649 households out of which 35.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% are married couples living together, 9.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% are non-families. 22.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $53,100, and the median income for a family is $61,880. Males have a median income of $50,167 versus $26,347 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,957. 5.90% of the population and 3.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.80% of those under the age of 18 and 5.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Beverly Shores
• Burns Harbor
• Chesterton
• Dune Acres
• Hebron
• Kouts
• Ogden Dunes
• Portage
• Porter
• South Haven
• Town of Pines
• Valparaiso