Town · Indiana
Porter, Indiana
Porter, town, in Porter County, Indiana. Porter had 5,167 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,210 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,217 (±32). GEOID 1861164.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,167
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,210 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,217 ±32
Median household income
$74,542
±$17,772 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$267,700
±$14,497 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,026
±$165 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Porter and what county is it in?
Porter is a town in Porter County, Indiana. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 842 residents per square mile in 2020.
Porter is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Porter lies entirely within Westchester Township, a township with its 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 Porter, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,167 people lived in Porter on July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Indiana grew 2.8%. The 2020 Census counted 5,210 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,217 (±32).
| Measure | Porter | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,217 ±32 | 174,818 | +400 |
| Households | 2,128 ±163 | 68,639 | +480 |
| Average household size | 2.45 ±0.19 | 2.50 | −0.47 |
| Housing units | 2,234 ±182 | 72,662 | +499 |
Porter's population since 2000
From 4,972 in 2000 to 5,167 in 2025: up 3.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Porter 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 Porter?
The median resident of Porter is 43.7 years old; 19.0% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.0%. 3.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Porter | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 ±3.8 | 40.8 | +7.1 |
| Under 18 years | 19.0% ±4.4 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7% ±3.4 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Male | 48.0% ±3.4 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.0% ±4.6 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.2% ±7.1 pts | 79.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±2.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±1.9 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±3.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.6% ±2.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.4% ±3.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5% ±3.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.8% ±2.9 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2% ±4.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.2% ±1.8 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.8% ±5.6 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7% ±2.7 pts | 11.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.3% ±6.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.3% ±3.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Porter earn?
Half of Porter's 2,128 households earn less than $74,542 a year (±$17,772), against $87,972 in Porter County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $112,814 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $38,272 after inflation. 10.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Porter | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,542 ±$17,772 | $87,972 | −$38,272 |
| Mean household income | $96,852 ±$10,326 | $110,512 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,927 ±$3,861 | $44,216 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.5% ±5.1 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.5% ±9.3 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.1% ±2.7 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.4% ±2.4 pts | 96.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.5% ±2.7 pts | 93.0% | – |
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 Porter?
Owners occupy 82.5% of Porter's occupied homes and renters 17.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $267,700 by its owner (±$14,497). The median renter pays $1,026 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Porter | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $267,700 ±$14,497 | $281,500 | +$33,991 |
| Median gross rent | $1,026 ±$165 | $1,219 | −$573 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.0% ±18.6 pts | 37.9% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,588 ±$122 | $1,653 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.5% ±5.3 pts | 77.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 17.5% ±5.3 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Housing units | 2,234 ±182 | 72,662 | +499 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±9.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.0% ±4.8 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±1.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.8% ±2.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.3% ±4.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.2% ±1.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
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 Porter building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Porter in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 0.8 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 Porter work and get to work?
77.6% of Porter's workers drive alone and 14.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.
| Measure | Porter | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.2% ±5.8 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5% ±2.5 pts | 4.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.6% ±6.6 pts | 81.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6% ±3.9 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.4% ±5.9 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.0 min ±3.4 | 28.4 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 Porter?
1 census tract lies mostly in Porter, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 503.02Porter County | 3,853 | $72,595 |
| Tract 503.01Porter County | 4,092 | $92,154 |
| Tract 502.03Porter County | 6,996 | $91,511 |
| Tract 502.02Porter County | 6,017 | $71,104 |
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 Porter) · Census block assignment files
How does Porter compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Porter is the 4,792nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 126th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Porter ranks 480th 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 | 126th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 875th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 341st | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 480th | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 307th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 186th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 258th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 420th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 265th | 1,029 |
| Median age | 327th | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 488th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 101st | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 276th | 1,088 |
Porter's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare Porter 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 Porter?
17 of the 57 figures for Porter 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 Porter 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 Porter.