Porter
Indiana

What stands out

What stands out about Porter County: the school test score is in the top 2% of American counties (3.62 where 3.0 is grade level), home internet speed is in the top 7% of American counties (292 Mbps), and the median household income is in the top 10% of American counties ($82,915). Within Indiana it ranks 8th of 92 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Porter County, Indiana. 173,355 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +347).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $82,915 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,217. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 56% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,446 a year.

Home

The median home costs $333K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,086 a month. Property tax is 0.85% of home value, roughly $2,049 a year on that median home, lower than 51% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 68% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 332 active physicians in the county, about 19.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.57 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 98% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 11 points. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 61 and lows near 40, colder than 74% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 80 out of 100, riskier than 80% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 292 Mbps down, faster than 93% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 1 National Park Service site.