1st Advantage Mortgage43% of Porter County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $87,972 (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Porter County by the numbers
- Where Porter County differs from the rest of Indiana
- Paychecks and income spread in Porter County
- Where Porter County households live
- The Porter County job picture
- Portage and the rest of Porter County
- Porter County next to its neighbors
- More Porter County figures
- Debt-to-income at Porter County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Porter County
- Checklist for Porter County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Indiana
- More guides for Porter County
- Frequently asked questions
Porter County by the numbers
Roughly 174,818 residents live in Porter County, Indiana, 10th by population among the state's 92 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 418 square miles, that is close to 418 residents for every square mile of land. Porter County counts toward the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN include it. Portage (38,082 people) heads the county's list of 16 Census places, 11 incorporated and 5 census-designated.
Where Porter County differs from the rest of Indiana
Ranked against the other 91 county-level areas in Indiana, these are the Porter County figures furthest from the middle.
- Porter County ranks 6th highest of 92 Indiana counties for median home value: $281,500, against $218,200 statewide. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Few Indiana counties match Porter County on median gross rent: $1,219/mo here, $1,062/mo for the state, ranking 5th highest of 92. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
- On median household income, Porter County sits near the top of Indiana at $87,972, 7th highest of 92. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
Paychecks and income spread in Porter County
Porter County households have a median income of $87,972 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 7th of 92 in Indiana.
| Income band | Share in Porter County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.8% | -4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | -4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.1% | +6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.2% | +2.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 43% of Porter County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. 9.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). For a borrower in Porter County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Where Porter County households live
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,219 in Porter County versus $1,062 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $281,500, about 3.2 times the median household income. In Porter County, 78% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median year built is 1982.
| Housing | Porter County | Indiana statewide | Porter County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,219/mo | $1,062/mo | 15% higher |
| Median home value | $281,500 | $218,200 | 29% higher |
| Owners | 78% | 71% | +7.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 48% | +2.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | +1.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% | 4.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 6% | 9% | -3.2 pts |
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). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The Porter County job picture
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Porter County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Unemployment in Porter County, ACS five-year: 4.7%; Indiana: 4.3%. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Top industries | Porter County share | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.3 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Porter County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Portage and the rest of Porter County
16 Census places fall mainly inside Porter County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 117,714 residents, leaving about 33% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $165,972 at the median in Shorewood Forest, $55,000 in Town of Pines. Portage and every other Porter County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | city | 38,082 | $76,276 | $1,231 | 8 mi |
| Valparaiso | city | 34,733 | $69,872 | $1,224 | 2 mi |
| Chesterton | town | 14,446 | $91,060 | $1,274 | 6 mi |
| South Haven | CDP | 7,241 | $76,003 | $1,297 | 4 mi |
| Porter | town | 5,217 | $74,542 | $1,026 | 8 mi |
| Hebron | town | 3,976 | $73,812 | $967 | 14 mi |
| Shorewood Forest | CDP | 3,263 | $165,972 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Kouts | town | 2,372 | $77,607 | $739 | 14 mi |
| Burns Harbor | town | 2,155 | $98,500 | $1,458 | 8 mi |
| Salt Creek Commons | CDP | 1,843 | $94,167 | $1,388 | 4 mi |
| Aberdeen | CDP | 1,490 | $94,926 | $2,109 | 5 mi |
| Ogden Dunes | town | 1,140 | $117,000 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Beverly Shores | town | 650 | $119,948 | $1,675 | 13 mi |
| Town of Pines | town | 530 | $55,000 | $833 | 14 mi |
Porter County next to its neighbors
Lake County is closest, 16 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pulaski County, is 38 miles off. Porter County's $87,972 median trails 0 of the six and beats 6; the range runs $62,792 (Pulaski County) to $77,314 (Jasper County). The list crosses into Michigan, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porter County | - | $87,972 | $1,219/mo | 78% |
| Lake County, IN | 16 mi | $71,493 | $1,131/mo | 72% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 17 mi | $71,055 | $976/mo | 75% |
| Berrien County, MI | 26 mi | $65,425 | $942/mo | 73% |
| Starke County, IN | 27 mi | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
| Jasper County, IN | 34 mi | $77,314 | $962/mo | 84% |
| Pulaski County, IN | 38 mi | $62,792 | $772/mo | 75% |
More Porter County figures
In Porter County, 31% of adults have at least a four-year degree (29% in Indiana). 5.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Porter County | Difference from Indiana | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | -3.6 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | -2.9 pts | -2.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | -2.8 pts | -3.6 pts |
| Median age | 40.8 | +2.7 yrs | -0.7 yrs |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | -2.4 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.1% | +1.6 pts | +8.9 pts |
| Work from home | 9.5% | -1.2 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | +0.4 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Commute length | Porter County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.6% |
Debt-to-income at Porter County's medians
Here is the Porter County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $7,331 gross per month ($87,972 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,219 uses 17%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,347 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $3,299 total minus rent leaves $2,080
If your rent is above $1,219, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Porter County
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Consolidation math. With 43% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Checklist for Porter County applicants
Quick steps for Porter County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Indiana
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Indiana license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Porter County
Next step up from Porter County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Porter County earn?
The median is $87,972; 43% earn $100,000 or more and 18% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Porter County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,219 against $1,062 statewide, and 51% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Can Porter County owners borrow against a $281,500 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
How many towns are in Porter County?
The Census Bureau counts 16 places mainly in the county, led by Portage, Valparaiso, Chesterton, South Haven, Porter.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Porter County or elsewhere in Indiana, the same rules apply.