{{short description|County in Indiana, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | native_name = | other_name = | settlement_type = County | image_skyline = Laporte County Indiana courthouse 2.jpg | imagesize = 270px | image_caption = LaPorte County Courthouse in La Porte, Indiana | image_flag = | image_seal = LaPorteCountyINseal.png | seal_size = 125px | motto = | image_map = Map of Indiana highlighting LaPorte County.svg | mapsize = 130px | map_caption = Location in the state of Indiana | image_map1 = Map of USA IN.svg | mapsize1 = 200px | map_caption1 = Indiana's location in the U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|41|36|N|86|43|W|region:US-IN_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{US}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Indiana}} | subdivision_type2 = Regions | subdivision_name2 = Northwest Indiana and Michiana | subdivision_type3 = Metro area | subdivision_name3 = Chicago Metropolitan | established_title = Established | established_date = April 1, 1832 | established_title1 = | established_date1 = | named_for = French for "the door"<ref name=origin>{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/history/2911.htm |title=Origin of Indiana County Names |publisher=Indiana Historical Bureau |access-date=October 14, 2014 }}</ref> | seat_type = County seat | seat = La Porte | seat1_type = Largest city | seat1 = Michigan City<br />(population and total area) | parts_type = Incorporated<br />municipalities | parts = 11 cities and towns | parts_style = coll | p1 = Kingsbury (town) | p2 = Kingsford Heights (town) | p3 = La Porte (city) | p4 = LaCrosse (town) | p5 = Long Beach (town) | p6 = Michiana Shores (town) | p7 = Michigan City (city) | p8 = Pottawattamie Park (town) | p9 = Trail Creek (town) | p10 = Wanatah (town) | p11 = Westville (town) | government_footnotes = | government_type = County | governing_body = Board of Commissioners | leader_party = | leader_title = Commissioner | leader_name = Connie Gramarossa (R, 1st) | leader_title1 = Commissioner | leader_name1 = Steve Holifield (R, 2nd) | leader_title2 = Commissioner | leader_name2 = Joe Haney (R, 3rd) | leader_title3 = {{nowrap|County Council}} | leader_name3 = {{Collapsible list | title = Members | frame_style = border:none; padding:0; | list_style = text-align:left; | 1 = Justin Kiel(R) | 2 = Randy Novak (D) | 3 = Mark Yagelski (D) | 4 = Jimmy Pressel III (R) | 5 = Brett Kessler (R) | 6 = Mike Mollenhauer (D) | 7 = Adam Koronka (R)}} | unit_pref = US | area_total_sq_mi = 613.26 | area_land_sq_mi = 598.30 | area_water_sq_mi = 14.96 | area_metro_sq_mi = 10874 | area_rank = 2nd largest county in Indiana | area_blank1_title = Region | area_blank1_sq_mi = 2726 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name="gnis">{{Cite GNIS|450507|LaPorte County}}</ref> ''(mean)'' | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = 778 | elevation_max_footnotes = <ref name="elevhigh">{{Cite map |publisher=United States Geological Survey|title=Springville Quadrangle – Indiana – LaPorte Co. |year=2013 |scale=1:24,000 |series=7.5-Minute Series (Topographic) }}</ref> ''– SW Galena Twp'' | elevation_min_footnotes = <ref name="elevlow">{{Cite map |publisher=United States Geological Survey|title=Michigan City West Quadrangle – Indiana – LaPorte Co. |year=2013 |scale=1:24,000 |series=7.5-Minute Series (Topographic) }}</ref> ''– at Lake Michigan'' | elevation_max_m = | elevation_max_ft = 957 | elevation_min_m = | elevation_min_ft = 581 | population_total = 112417 | population_as_of = 2020 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 111294 {{decrease}} | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_metro = 9618502 | population_rank = 16th largest county in Indiana | population_blank1_title = Region | population_blank1 = 819537 | timezone = Central | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = Central | utc_offset_DST = −5 | postal_code_type = ZIP Codes | postal_code = {{nowrap|46340, 46345-46, 46348, 46350,<br /> 46352, 46360-61, 46365, 46371,<br />46382, 46390-91, 46532, 46552,<br />46554, 46574}} | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 219 | geocode = | iso_code = | blank_name_sec1 = Congressional districts | blank_info_sec1 = 1st and 2nd | blank1_name_sec1 = Indiana Senate districts | blank1_info_sec1 = 5th and 8th | blank2_name_sec1 = Indiana House of Representatives districts | blank2_info_sec1 = 7th, 9th, 17th and 20th | blank3_name_sec1 = FIPS code | blank3_info_sec1 = 18-091 | blank4_name_sec1 = GNIS feature ID | blank4_info_sec1 = 0450507 | blank_name_sec2 = Interstates | blank_info_sec2 = 25px|link = Interstate 80 in Indiana 25px|link = Indiana Toll Road 25px|link = Interstate 90 in Indiana 25px|link = Interstate 94 in Indiana ---- | blank1_name_sec2 = U.S. Routes | blank1_info_sec2 = 25px|link = U.S. Route 6 in Indiana 25px|link = U.S. Route 12 in Indiana 25px|link = U.S. Route 20 in Indiana 25px|link = U.S. Route 30 in Indiana 25px|link = U.S. Route 35 in Indiana 25px|link=U.S. Route 421 in Indiana ---- | blank2_name_sec2 = State Routes | blank2_info_sec2 = 27px|link=Indiana State Road 2 27px|link=Indiana State Road 4 27px|link=Indiana State Road 8 27px|link=Indiana State Road 39 27px|link=Indiana State Road 104 27px|link=Indiana State Road 212 ---- | blank3_name_sec2 = Airports | blank3_info_sec2 = La Porte Municipal<br />Michigan City Municipal ---- | blank4_name_sec2 = Waterways | blank4_info_sec2 = East Arm Little Calumet River<br />Kankakee River<br />Lake Michigan<br />Little Calumet River<br />Trail Creek ---- | blank5_name_sec2 = Amtrak station | blank5_info_sec2 = Michigan City (closed) ---- | blank6_name_sec2 = South Shore Line stations | blank6_info_sec2 = 11th Street – Carroll Avenue Hudson Lake ---- | blank7_name_sec2 = Public transit | blank7_info_sec2 = Michigan City Transit | website = [http://www.laportecounty.org www.laportecounty.org] | footnotes = * Indiana county number 46 | name = LaPorte County }}
'''LaPorte County'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laportecounty.org/|title=LaPorte County Online Government|author=LaPorte County Information Technology|work=laportecounty.org}}</ref> is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 112,417.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/LaPorte_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18091|title=La Porte County, Indiana|access-date=June 2, 2023|publisher= United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The county seat is the city of La Porte,<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and the largest city is Michigan City. This county is part of the Northwest Indiana and Michiana regions of the Chicago metropolitan area. The LaPorte County Courthouse is located in the county seat of La Porte and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
==History== LaPorte County was formed in 1832. ''La porte'' means "the door" or "the port" in French.<ref name="origin"/> French travelers or explorers so named the area after discovering a natural opening in the dense forests that used to exist in this region, providing a gateway to lands further west.<ref>Calumet Beginnings: Schoon, Kenneth J. (2003)</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDIUAAAAYAAJ| pages=560}}</ref>
From 1832 to 1835 LaPorte County had its boundaries and jurisdiction of the land west of it going all the way to the east border of Chicago in Cook County, IL (land which is now Porter and Lake Counties).
Before European-American settlement, all of the land that forms modern-day LaPorte County, and adjacent Starke County to the south belonged to the Potawatomi Indian nation. These Indians were forcibly removed to Kansas by the United States government in 1838, and many died on what survivors called the Trail of Death.<ref name="La Porte County Historical Society">{{Cite web|url=http://www.laportecountyhistory.org/history.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517164346/http://laportecountyhistory.org/history.htm|url-status=dead|title=La Porte County Historical Society|archive-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.potawatomi-tda.org/ptodhist.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609183036/http://www.potawatomi-tda.org/ptodhist.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 9, 2007|title=History of 1838 Trail of Death|work=potawatomi-tda.org}}</ref>
LaPorte County's initial European-American settlers were Yankee migrants, that is to say they were from New England or were from upstate New York and had parents who were from New England, and were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were part of a wave of New England settlers moving west into what was then the Northwest Territory after the completion of the Erie Canal through the Mohawk Valley of New York State.
These first settlers in LaPorte County specifically hailed from the Massachusetts towns of Granville, Boston, Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Andover, Nantucket Island, and Hampshire County; the Connecticut towns of Colchester, Wethersfield, Granby, and New Haven; the New Hampshire towns of Bradford, Amherst and Goffstown; the Vermont villages of Dorset, Albany and Fairfax; many also came from Orange County, Vermont, Caledonia County, Vermont and Penobscot County, Maine. They were mainly members of the Congregational Church. As result of the Second Great Awakening, many became Baptists and many also converted to Pentecostalism and Methodism. When they arrived in what is now LaPorte County, there was nothing but virgin forest and prairie. The New England settlers cleared roads and brush, developed farms, constructed churches, erected government buildings, and established post routes. As a result of this migration, La Porte County was partially culturally continuous with early New England culture for many years.<ref>''The Expansion of New England: The Spread of New England Settlement and Institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620-1865'', by Lois Kimball Matthews, pp. 201-202</ref>
But by 1850, the three Eastern states that had contributed the most residents to LaPorte County were New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, surpassing those migrants from New England. LaPorte County had the largest number of Southerners north of the Wabash Valley.<ref>Lang, Elfrieda. “Southern Migration to Northern Indiana Before 1850.” ''Indiana Magazine of History,'' Volume 50, Issue 4, pp 349-356. 1954. Lang, Elfrieda. “An Analysis of Northern Indiana’s Population in 1850.” ''Indiana Magazine of History,'' Volume 49, Issue 1, March 1953. Rose, Gregory C.” Upland Southerners: The County Origins of Southern Migrants.” ''Indiana Magazine of History,'' Volume 82, Issue 3, September 1991.</ref>
During the Civil War, the ''Louisville Journal'' noted that the 29th Indiana Regiment (mustered out of LaPorte) "may almost be regarded as a Kentucky regiment for a large majority of its members are either natives or descendants of native Kentuckians".<ref>''La Porte Herald,'' October 19, 1861, p. 2</ref> Three Union Camps reigned in LaPorte County helping the Union to Civil War victory.
When the county was initially proposed and organized, its boundaries did not extend as far south or east as they do today. A section of land north of the Kankakee River originally belonged to Starke County. However, residents living in that area had difficulty crossing the Grand Kankakee Marsh that surrounded the river in order to reach the rest of the county. It was necessary to travel some distance east to Lemon's bridge, before making the journey south. Effectively isolated from the rest of Starke County, these residents asked that their land be annexed to LaPorte County, which was completed on January 28, 1842. Thereafter, the Kankakee River formed the southern boundary of the county. Finally, on January 10, 1850, some twenty sections of land were annexed from St. Joseph County to the east, giving LaPorte County the boundaries that essentially exist to this day.<ref name="La Porte County Historical Society" />
Whether the correct spelling of the city and county is "La Porte" or "LaPorte" is disputed,<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Stephens |title=La(?)Porte's Space Odyssey |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/southbendtribune/access/2570281421.html?FMT=ABS |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716141752/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/southbendtribune/access/2570281421.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |work=South Bend Tribune |date=January 22, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2012 }}</ref> although state law refers to "LaPorte County."<ref>[http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title33/ar33/ch46.pdf Indiana Code 33-33-46].</ref><ref>[http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar3/ch5.html Indiana Code 3-3-5].</ref>
LaPorte County is noted for being the last-known place of the Belle Gunness serial murders<!-- year? -->. Bodies of her victims were discovered after her house burned and she disappeared in 1908. Gunness lived on a farm on the outskirts of the county seat.
==Geography== According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|613.26|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|598.30|sqmi}} (or 97.56%) is land and {{convert|14.96|sqmi}} (or 2.44%) is water.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18091 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202535/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18091 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The highest point, at {{convert|957|ft}},<ref name="elevhigh"/> is in southwestern Galena Township near County Roads East 600 North and North 150 East. The lowest point, at {{convert|581|ft}},<ref name="elevlow"/> is along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
===Adjacent counties=== * Berrien County, Michigan (North/Eastern Time Zone Border) * St. Joseph County (East/Eastern Time Zone Border) * Starke County (South) * Jasper County (Southwest) * Porter County (West) *Cook County, Illinois(Northwest) Boundary in Lake Michigan
===National protected area=== * Indiana Dunes National Park – ''also in Lake and Porter counties''
===Major highways=== * {{jct|state=IN|I|80|I|90|Toll}} * {{jct|state=IN|I|94}} * 20px U.S. Route 6 * 20px U.S. Route 12 * 20px U.S. Route 20 * 20px U.S. Route 30 * 20px U.S. Route 35 * 20px U.S. Route 421 * 20px State Road 2 * 20px State Road 4 * 20px State Road 8 * 20px State Road 39 * 20px State Road 104 * 20px State Road 212
===Railroads=== * Canadian National Railway * Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad * Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad * Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad * CSX Transportation * Norfolk Southern Railway * South Shore Line (commuter rail)
==Municipalities== The municipalities in LaPorte County and their populations as of the 2010 Census:
===Cities=== {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * La Porte – 22,471 * Michigan City – 32,075 }}
===Towns=== {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * Kingsbury – 242 * Kingsford Heights – 1,435 * LaCrosse – 551 * Long Beach – 1,179 * Michiana Shores – 313 * Pottawattamie Park – 235 * Trail Creek – 2,052 * Wanatah – 1,048 * Westville – 5,853 }}
===Census-designated places=== {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * Fish Lake – 1,016 * Hanna – 463 * Hudson Lake – 1,297 * Rolling Prairie – 582 }}
===Unincorporated communities=== {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * Alida * Byron * Door Village * Duneland Beach * Hesston * Holmesville * Lake Park * Mill Creek * Otis * Pinhook * Pinola * Plainfield * Riverside * Salem Heights * Smith * South Center * South Wanatah * Springfield * Springville * Stillwell * Thomaston * Tracy * Union Mills * Waterford * Wellsboro * Wilders }}
==Townships== LaPorte County contains 21 townships, more than any other county in the state.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xdQWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA38 | title=A twentieth century history and biographical record of La Porte County, Indiana | publisher=Lewis Publishing Co. | author=Daniels, E. D. | year=1904 | pages=38}}</ref> The townships, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are: {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * Cass – 1,833 * Center – 25,075 * Clinton – 1,507 * Coolspring – 14,718 * Dewey – 935 * Galena – 1,899 * Hanna – 965 * Hudson – 1,883 * Johnson – 198 * Kankakee – 4,830 * Lincoln – 1,794 * Michigan – 27,522 * New Durham – 8,664 * Noble – 1,625 * Pleasant – 3,380 * Prairie – 209 * Scipio – 4,570 * Springfield – 4,045 * Union – 2,348 * Washington – 1,357 * Wills – 2,110 }}
===Unincorporated towns=== *Lakeland
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1840 = 8184 | 1850 = 12145 | 1860 = 22919 | 1870 = 27062 | 1880 = 30985 | 1890 = 34445 | 1900 = 38386 | 1910 = 45797 | 1920 = 50443 | 1930 = 60490 | 1940 = 63660 | 1950 = 76808 | 1960 = 95111 | 1970 = 105342 | 1980 = 108632 | 1990 = 107066 | 2000 = 110106 | 2010 = 111467 | 2020 = 112417 |estyear=2025 |estimate=111294 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> {{decrease}} | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name="census-quickfacts">{{cite web|url = http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18091.html|title = La Porte County QuickFacts|access-date= September 25, 2011|publisher= United States Census Bureau|url-status = dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110607083528/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18091.html |archive-date = June 7, 2011}}</ref> | align = right }}
===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''LaPorte County, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – LaPorte County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US18091&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – LaPorte County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US18091&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – LaPorte County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US18091&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |93,330 |90,695 |style='background: #ffffe6; |85,957 |84.76% |81.36% |style='background: #ffffe6; |76.46% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |11,052 |11,835 |style='background: #ffffe6; |11,874 |10.04% |10.62% |style='background: #ffffe6; |10.56% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |306 |246 |style='background: #ffffe6; |250 |0.28% |0.22% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22% |- |Asian alone (NH) |483 |570 |style='background: #ffffe6; |743 |0.44% |0.51% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.66% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |16 |13 |style='background: #ffffe6; |18 |0.01% |0.01% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02% |- |Other race alone (NH) |126 |97 |style='background: #ffffe6; |467 |0.11% |0.09% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.42% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |1,391 |1,918 |style='background: #ffffe6; |5,123 |1.26% |1.72% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.56% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |3,402 |6,093 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,985 |3.09% |5.47% |style='background: #ffffe6; |7.10% |- |'''Total''' |'''110,106''' |'''111,467''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''112,417''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 112,417. The median age was 41.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A091&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A091&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 78.4% White, 10.8% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.0% from some other race, and 6.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.1% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>
63.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 36.5% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A091&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 43,799 households in the county, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.6% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 49,780 housing units, of which 12.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.4% were owner-occupied and 28.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===2010 census=== As of the 2010 United States census, there were 111,467 people, 42,331 households, and 28,228 families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18091 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212095403/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18091 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|186.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 48,448 housing units at an average density of {{convert|81.0|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density" /> The racial makeup of the county was 84.1% white, 10.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 30.7% were German, 15.3% were Irish, 11.5% were Polish, 8.3% were English, and 5.9% were American.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18091 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003324/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18091 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
Of the 42,331 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.6 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $56,679. Males had a median income of $45,537 versus $30,774 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,599. About 9.9% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18091 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002609/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18091 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
==Education== ===K-12 schools=== School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18091_laporte/DC20SD_C18091.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: LaPorte County, IN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 22, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18091_laporte/DC20SD_C18091_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> * John Glenn School Corporation * La Porte Community School Corporation * Michigan City Area Schools * New Durham Township Metropolitan School District * New Prairie United School Corporation * South Central Community School Corporation * Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation
===Public libraries=== The county is served by five different public library systems: * LaCrosse Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lacrosse.lib.in.us/|title=LaCrosse Public Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> * LaPorte County Public Library has its main location in La Porte as well as the Coolspring, Fish Lake, Hanna, Kingsford Heights, Rolling Prairie and Union Mills branches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laportelibrary.org/|title=LaPorte County Public Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> * Michigan City Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mclib.org/|title=Michigan City Public Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> * Wanatah Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wanatahlibrary.com/|title=Wanatah Public Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> * Westville-New Durham Township Public Library has its main location in Westville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westville.lib.in.us/|title=Westville-New Durham Township Public Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref>
===Hospitals=== * [https://www.nwhealthlaporte.com/ Northwest Health - La Porte], La Porte – ''84 beds''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northwest Health – La Porte |url=https://www.greshamsmith.com/project/northwest-health-la-porte/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Gresham Smith |language=en-US}}</ref> * Franciscan Health Michigan City, Michigan City – ''310 beds''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/franciscan-health-new-name-leading-hospital-system | title = Franciscan Health is New Name for Leading Hospital System | date = September 6, 2016 | website = Franciscan Alliance, Inc. | access-date = September 11, 2016 | archive-date = September 20, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920214419/https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/franciscan-health-new-name-leading-hospital-system | url-status = dead }}</ref>
==Climate and weather== {{climate chart |La Porte, Indiana |12|30|1.84 |16|36|1.68 |27|47|2.96 |37|60|4.11 |47|71|4.33 |58|80|4.79 |62|84|3.87 |60|81|3.87 |51|75|3.33 |39|63|2.98 |30|48|3.57 |19|35|2.71 |float=right |units=imperial |clear=both |source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0142 |title=Monthly Averages for La Porte, Indiana |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel }}</ref>}} In recent years, average temperatures in La Porte have ranged from a low of {{convert|12|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|84|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-28|°F}} was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of {{convert|104|°F}} was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.68|in}} in February to {{convert|4.79|in}} in June.<ref name="weather"/>
==Education== Public schools in LaPorte County are administered by seven different districts: * John Glenn School Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jgsc.k12.in.us/|title=John Glenn School Corporation}}</ref> * LaPorte Community School Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us/|title=LaPorte Community School Corporation}}</ref> * Metropolitan School District of New Durham Township<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westville.k12.in.us/|title=Metropolitan School District of New Durham Township}}</ref> * Michigan City Area Schools<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcas.k12.in.us/|title=Michigan City Area Schools}}</ref> * New Prairie United School Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npusc.k12.in.us/|title=New Prairie United School Corporation}}</ref> * South Central Community School Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scentral.k12.in.us/|title=South Central Community School Corporation}}</ref> * Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tritownship.k12.in.us/|title=Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation}}</ref>
===Colleges and Universities=== * Ivy Tech Community College * Purdue University Northwest<ref>{{cite news | author = Joseph S. Pete | title = Purdue University Northwest now officially exists | newspaper = The Times of Northwest Indiana | date = March 5, 2016 | url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/purdue-university-northwest-now-officially-exists/article_19e1f453-cc88-5336-928b-0e695d53a63a.html | access-date = March 5, 2016}}</ref>
==Politics== From 1992 to 2012, LaPorte County had been reliably Democratic although John Kerry came within 198 votes of losing the county in 2004. But in recent years it has been increasingly Republican with Donald Trump winning the county in all 3 of his presidential runs. {{PresHead|place=LaPorte County, Indiana|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 18, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1888|Democratic|3,722|4,607|109|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|3,548|4,703|206|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,691|4,511|127|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,809|4,783|119|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,952|4,472|265|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|5,824|5,680|256|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,701|4,847|3,314|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|5,726|5,276|385|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|11,204|5,459|575|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|11,597|5,214|2,132|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|14,763|9,254|58|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|10,739|14,890|366|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|11,722|15,359|311|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|15,771|13,732|90|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|16,543|13,896|129|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|15,661|13,923|275|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|22,576|15,011|146|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|24,622|14,417|103|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|22,738|20,317|85|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|16,270|22,220|104|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|20,295|15,780|4,708|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|26,243|13,222|311|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|21,989|18,217|449|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|22,424|15,387|2,727|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|23,346|15,904|317|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|20,537|17,585|163|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|14,962|17,717|9,784|Indiana}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|14,106|19,879|5,392|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2000|Democratic|18,994|19,736|1,017|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|20,916|21,114|576|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|17,918|28,258|842|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|18,615|24,107|959|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|22,687|19,798|3,124|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|25,997|22,427|1,059|Indiana}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|26,726|20,007|914|Indiana}} {{PresFoot}}
LaPorte County is split between Indiana's 1st and Indiana's 2nd congressional district and is represented by Rudy Yakym and Frank Mrvan in the United States Congress. It is also part of Indiana Senate districts 5 and 8<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3006.htm |title=Indiana Senate Districts |publisher=State of Indiana |access-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> and Indiana House of Representatives districts 7, 9, 17 and 20.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm |title=Indiana House Districts |publisher=State of Indiana |access-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref>
'''County elected officials:'''
===Board of Commissioners=== Source:<ref>{{cite web |author=LaPorte County Information Technology |title=Board of Commissioners |url=http://www.laportecounty.org/BoardsCommissions/BoardofCommissions/ |work=laportecounty.org}}</ref> * Steve Holifield (R, 2nd) * Connie Gramarossa (R, 1st) * Joe Haney (R, 3rd)
===County Council=== Source:<ref>{{cite web |author=LaPorte County Information Technology |title=LaPorte County Council |url=http://www.laportecounty.org/BoardsCommissions/CountyCouncil/ |work=laportecounty.org}}</ref> * Adam Koronka (R) * Justin Kiel(R) * Jimmy Pressel III (R) * Jennifer Heath (D) * Brett Kessler (R) * Mike Mollenhauer (D) * Mark Yagelski (D)
''Elected Officials:'' * Assessor: Michael R. Schultz (D) * Auditor: Michael Rosenbaum (R) * Clerk: Heather Stevens (R) * Coroner: Lynn Swanson (R) * Prosecutor: Sean Fagen (R)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/democrat-john-lake-wins-race-for-laporte-county-prosecutor/article_35b50d7c-e913-57db-831a-ac03e9e91a75.html|title=Democrat John Lake wins race for LaPorte County prosecutor|first=Bob|last=Kasarda|website=nwitimes.com}}</ref> * Recorder: Elzbieta Bilderback (R) * Sheriff: Ronald C. Heeg (R) * Surveyor: John Matwyshyn (R) * Treasurer: Dan Barenie (R)
==See also== * National Register of Historic Places listings in LaPorte County, Indiana
==Notes== {{notelist}}{{Reflist|group=note}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline}} * {{official website|http://www.laportecounty.org }} * [http://www.alco.org/ Access LaPorte County official community site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022152/http://www.alco.org/ |date=November 12, 2020 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100909222729/http://www.lpchamber.com/ Greater LaPorte Chamber of Commerce] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100717014314/http://laportecounty.net/ Healthy Communities of LaPorte County]
{{Geographic Location |Centre = LaPorte County, Indiana |North = Berrien County, Michigan |Northeast = |East = St. Joseph County |Southeast = |South = Starke County |Southwest = Jasper County |West = Porter County |Northwest = Lake Michigan }} {{LaPorte County, Indiana}} {{Chicagoland}} {{Indiana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laporte County, Indiana}} Category:LaPorte County, Indiana Category:Indiana counties Category:1832 establishments in Indiana Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1832 Category:Northwest Indiana