City · Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, city, in Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso had 35,177 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 34,151 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 34,733 (±438). GEOID 1878326.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
35,177
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 34,151 · ACS 2020-2024: 34,733 ±438
Median household income
$69,872
±$3,502 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$267,300
±$14,866 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,224
±$43 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Valparaiso and what county is it in?
Valparaiso is a city in Porter County, Indiana. It covers 17.1 square miles of land, 1,992 residents per square mile in 2020.
Valparaiso is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Valparaiso lies mostly within Center Township (Porter County) and reaches into Washington Township (Porter County), 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 Valparaiso, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 35,177 people lived in Valparaiso on July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, in line with Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 34,151 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 34,733 (±438).
| Measure | Valparaiso | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 34,733 ±438 | 174,818 | +1,378 |
| Households | 14,611 ±527 | 68,639 | +1,227 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.07 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,558 ±580 | 72,662 | +1,208 |
Valparaiso's population since 2000
From 27,428 in 2000 to 35,177 in 2025: up 28.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
The median resident of Valparaiso is 37.0 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 16.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.9%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Valparaiso | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.0 ±1.4 | 40.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% ±1.4 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.9% ±1.3 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Male | 47.4% ±1.7 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.9% ±1.9 pts | 11.7% | +2.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.1% ±2.2 pts | 79.1% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±1.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5% ±1.0 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.3% ±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6% ±0.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6% ±1.6 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7% ±1.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7% ±0.9 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.6% ±2.8 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.6% ±2.1 pts | 11.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.5% ±2.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.6% ±1.0 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 Valparaiso earn?
Half of Valparaiso's 14,611 households earn less than $69,872 a year (±$3,502), against $87,972 in Porter County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $73,267 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Valparaiso | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,872 ±$3,502 | $87,972 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $90,280 ±$4,705 | $110,512 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,894 ±$2,329 | $44,216 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.9% ±3.0 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.9% ±7.0 pts | 11.9% | +9.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.7% ±2.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.2% ±1.4 pts | 96.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.9% ±2.0 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 Valparaiso?
Owners occupy 58.0% of Valparaiso's occupied homes and renters 42.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $267,300 by its owner (±$14,866). The median renter pays $1,224 a month including utilities, and 44.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Valparaiso | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $267,300 ±$14,866 | $281,500 | +$38,637 |
| Median gross rent | $1,224 ±$43 | $1,219 | +$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.1% ±5.3 pts | 37.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,580 ±$77 | $1,653 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.0% ±3.2 pts | 77.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.0% ±3.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Housing units | 15,558 ±580 | 72,662 | +1,208 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7% ±2.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.0% ±2.8 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.0% ±2.7 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±1.6 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 Valparaiso building?
Builders took permits for 151 new housing units in Valparaiso in 2025 (151 in single-family houses), 4.3 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 Valparaiso work and get to work?
74.8% of Valparaiso's workers drive alone and 10.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Valparaiso | Porter County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.7% ±2.4 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±1.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.8% ±3.1 pts | 81.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±2.9 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.5% ±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.4% ±1.9 pts | 9.5% | +4.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min ±2.1 | 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 Valparaiso?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Valparaiso, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $41,705 (Tract 509.01) to $83,983 (Tract 507.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 507.04Porter County | 5,452 | $82,153 |
| Tract 507.06Porter County | 5,082 | $61,197 |
| Tract 508.02Porter County | 3,673 | $56,250 |
| Tract 507.05Porter County | 3,818 | $68,051 |
| Tract 507.03Porter County | 3,340 | $83,983 |
| Tract 508.01Porter County | 3,128 | $53,967 |
| Tract 510.09Porter County | 5,850 | $109,879 |
| Tract 506.03Porter County | 4,540 | $130,792 |
| Tract 509.01Porter County | 2,219 | $41,705 |
| Tract 506.05Porter County | 4,592 | $132,468 |
| Tract 509.02Porter County | 1,647 | not published |
| Tract 506.02Porter County | 5,009 | $88,571 |
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 Valparaiso) · Census block assignment files
How does Valparaiso compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Valparaiso is the 1,176th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 30th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Valparaiso ranks 585th 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 | 30th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 237th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 89th | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 585th | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 345th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 188th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 111th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 219th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 73rd | 1,029 |
| Median age | 789th | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,031st | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 235th | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 583rd | 1,088 |
Valparaiso's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
4 of the 57 figures for Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso.