City · Indiana
Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City, city, in LaPorte County, Indiana. Michigan City had 31,338 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,075 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 31,814 (±50). GEOID 1848798.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
31,338
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,075 · ACS 2020-2024: 31,814 ±50
Median household income
$53,089
±$4,337 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$143,100
±$6,709 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$967
±$34 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Michigan City and what county is it in?
Michigan City is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana. It covers 20.6 square miles of land, 1,555 residents per square mile in 2020.
Michigan City is in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Michigan City lies mostly within Michigan Township (LaPorte County) and reaches into Coolspring Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Michigan City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 31,338 people lived in Michigan City on July 1, 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, while Indiana grew 2.8%. The 2020 Census counted 32,075 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 31,814 (±50).
| Measure | Michigan City | LaPorte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 31,814 ±50 | 111,917 | +696 |
| Households | 13,008 ±460 | 43,633 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.08 | 2.41 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,312 ±456 | 50,038 | +652 |
Michigan City's population since 2000
From 32,900 in 2000 to 31,338 in 2025: down 4.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Michigan City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Michigan City?
The median resident of Michigan City is 38.8 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 23.8%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Michigan City | LaPorte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 ±1.4 | 41.1 | +2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.4% ±1.7 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8% ±1.3 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Male | 52.0% ±1.5 pts | 51.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.9% ±1.3 pts | 7.6% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.0% ±2.4 pts | 76.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 23.8% ±2.2 pts | 10.3% | −5.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6% ±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.3% ±1.8 pts | 15.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0% ±1.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.0% ±1.6 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.3% ±2.0 pts | 22.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8% ±1.3 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.1% ±2.5 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.6% ±1.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Michigan City earn?
Half of Michigan City's 13,008 households earn less than $53,089 a year (±$4,337), against $71,055 in LaPorte County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $50,004 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Michigan City | LaPorte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,089 ±$4,337 | $71,055 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,827 ±$4,536 | $89,682 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,810 ±$2,154 | $35,395 | +$3,648 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.7% ±2.9 pts | 13.6% | −4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.3% ±7.4 pts | 20.6% | −13.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.5% ±2.5 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.4% ±1.8 pts | 94.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.7% ±2.8 pts | 90.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Michigan City?
Owners occupy 58.8% of Michigan City's occupied homes and renters 41.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $143,100 by its owner (±$6,709). The median renter pays $967 a month including utilities, and 34.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Michigan City | LaPorte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $143,100 ±$6,709 | $195,500 | +$32,461 |
| Median gross rent | $967 ±$34 | $976 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.9% ±6.2 pts | 36.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,126 ±$47 | $1,303 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.8% ±3.5 pts | 74.7% | +5.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.2% ±3.5 pts | 25.3% | – |
| Housing units | 15,312 ±456 | 50,038 | +652 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7% ±3.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.8% ±3.1 pts | 78.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±1.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.0% ±2.4 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.1% ±2.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Michigan City building?
Builders took permits for 29 new housing units in Michigan City in 2025 (29 in single-family houses), 0.9 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Indiana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Michigan City work and get to work?
79.0% of Michigan City's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.1%.
| Measure | Michigan City | LaPorte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.7% ±2.4 pts | 56.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.1% ±1.9 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0% ±3.3 pts | 83.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3% ±2.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1% ±2.3 pts | 7.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±1.6 | 25.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Michigan City?
10 census tracts lie mostly in Michigan City, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $45,709 (Tract 414) to $64,485 (Tract 405).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 401LaPorte County | 4,205 | $53,087 |
| Tract 405LaPorte County | 3,670 | $64,485 |
| Tract 408LaPorte County | 3,120 | $47,835 |
| Tract 404LaPorte County | 2,744 | $64,130 |
| Tract 413LaPorte County | 2,712 | $57,884 |
| Tract 430LaPorte County | 2,577 | $55,798 |
| Tract 414LaPorte County | 4,749 | $45,709 |
| Tract 409LaPorte County | 2,516 | $50,750 |
| Tract 406LaPorte County | 4,898 | $52,730 |
| Tract 403LaPorte County | 2,101 | $61,463 |
| Tract 407LaPorte County | 1,558 | $53,103 |
| Tract 411LaPorte County | 2,344 | $88,056 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Michigan City) · Census block assignment files
How does Michigan City compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Michigan City is the 1,316th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 34th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Michigan City ranks 945th of 1,072 places in Indiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 34th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,017th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 183rd | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 945th | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 850th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 836th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 339th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 90th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 522nd | 1,029 |
| Median age | 671st | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,025th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 337th | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 845th | 1,088 |
Michigan City's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare Michigan City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Michigan City?
8 of the 57 figures for Michigan City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Michigan City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Michigan City.