1st Advantage MortgageThe median LaPorte County household earns $71,055, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Indiana license first.
On this page
- LaPorte County, IN: the basics
- How much LaPorte County households make
- Employment and commuting in LaPorte County
- Rent, home values and ownership in LaPorte County
- Counties near LaPorte County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in LaPorte County
- Room for a loan payment in LaPorte County
- People and households in LaPorte County
- What the numbers mean for LaPorte County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for LaPorte County residents
- Four steps for LaPorte County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
LaPorte County, IN: the basics
Roughly 111,917 residents live in LaPorte County, Indiana, 16th by population among the state's 92 counties and county equivalents. It covers 598 square miles of land, or about 187 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 15 places in the county (11 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Michigan City, with about 31,814 residents, or 28% of the county.
How much LaPorte County households make
LaPorte County households have a median income of $71,055 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 37th of 92 in Indiana.
| Yearly household income | LaPorte County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.6% | +1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.7% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -2.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of LaPorte County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 13.6%, 1 point higher than the state's 12.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.435 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $71,055 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in LaPorte County
Manufacturing employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. Manufacturing stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in LaPorte County. Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | LaPorte County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | 0.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in LaPorte County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $976 in LaPorte County versus $1,062 statewide. 47% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. Home values center on $195,500, or 2.8 years of median income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. The median home was built in 1969, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | LaPorte County | Indiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $976/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $195,500 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.2% | 4.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Counties near LaPorte County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Porter County leads the group on income ($87,972), Starke County trails ($63,960), and LaPorte County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in Michigan. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a LaPorte County resident follows Indiana rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaPorte County | - | $71,055 | $976/mo | 75% |
| Berrien County, MI | 17 mi | $65,425 | $942/mo | 73% |
| Porter County, IN | 17 mi | $87,972 | $1,219/mo | 78% |
| Starke County, IN | 19 mi | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 24 mi | $66,868 | $1,062/mo | 69% |
| Marshall County, IN | 29 mi | $71,808 | $938/mo | 76% |
| Lake County, IN | 33 mi | $71,493 | $1,131/mo | 72% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in LaPorte County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 15 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 62% of LaPorte County residents live in one of the 15. Long Beach has the highest median household income on the list ($121,827) and Hanna the lowest ($39,097), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 15 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan City | city | 31,814 | $53,089 | $967 | 13 mi |
| La Porte | city | 22,449 | $59,307 | $948 | 4 mi |
| Westville | town | 5,279 | $60,794 | $1,019 | 8 mi |
| Trail Creek | town | 2,351 | $77,635 | $947 | 12 mi |
| Kingsford Heights | town | 1,358 | $57,830 | $889 | 6 mi |
| Hudson Lake | CDP | 1,347 | $98,253 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Wanatah | town | 1,178 | $68,409 | $978 | 11 mi |
| Long Beach | town | 1,111 | $121,827 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Fish Lake | CDP | 684 | $80,976 | n/a | 10 mi |
| La Crosse | town | 651 | $74,107 | $894 | 18 mi |
| Hanna | CDP | 529 | $39,097 | $863 | 10 mi |
| Michiana Shores | town | 364 | $91,250 | $1,000 | 15 mi |
| Pottawattamie Park | town | 247 | $103,889 | $1,042 | 14 mi |
| Rolling Prairie | CDP | 238 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Room for a loan payment in LaPorte County
Here is the LaPorte County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,921 gross per month ($71,055 / 12)
- Median rent: $976, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,392: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $976, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in LaPorte County
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.9%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| People and households | LaPorte County | Indiana | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.7% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.2% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | LaPorte County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
What the numbers mean for LaPorte County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for LaPorte County borrowers.
- Rent squeeze. 47% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a LaPorte County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Who licenses lenders for LaPorte County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a LaPorte County resident can confirm its license with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for LaPorte County borrowers
Steps that save money for LaPorte County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a LaPorte County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in LaPorte County?
$71,055 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,957 for Indiana. It ranks 37th of 92 in the state.
What do renters pay in LaPorte County?
$976 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I own my home in LaPorte County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the LaPorte County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 15 Census places: Michigan City, La Porte, Westville, Trail Creek, Kingsford Heights.
Can LaPorte County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Indiana county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.