Portage, IN

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

38,082

US Senator

Todd Young

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Banks

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

39.8

2.05% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

11.6%

3.55% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$76,276

4.73% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$224,200

6.36% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

18,468

3.79% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Portage, IN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.5% of the residents in Portage, IN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Portage, IN are Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College-Portage (4 degrees awarded in 2017).

In 2024, the median property value in Portage, IN was $224,200, and the homeownership rate was 72.9%.

Most people in Portage, IN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Portage, IN was 2 cars per household.

United States Indiana Porter County, IN Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Lake County (Northeast)--Gary City & Griffith Town PUMA, IN Porter County PUMA, IN

Population & Diversity

Portage, IN is home to a population of 38.1k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.07% of Portage, IN residents were born outside of the country (1.55k people).

In 2024, there were 6.96 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (24.7k people) in Portage, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.55k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.13k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.5%

2024 Citizenship

99%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.5% of Portage, IN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Portage, IN was 99%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Portage, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Portage, IN

White (Non-Hispanic)
24.7k ± 1.1k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.55k ± 725
White (Hispanic)
3.13k ± 652

21.3%

Hispanic Population

8.12k people

21.3% of the people in Portage, IN are hispanic (8.12k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Portage, IN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Indiana.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
111,417 ± 8,128 people
India
37,388 ± 4,734 people
Nigeria
18,164 ± 3,304 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Indiana was Mexico, the natal country of 111,417 Indiana residents, followed by India with 37,388 and Nigeria with 18,164.

Foreign-Born Population

4.07%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.55k people

3.41%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.29k people

As of 2024, 4.07% of Portage, IN residents (1.55k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Portage, IN was 3.41%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Portage, IN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
619 ± 169
Gulf War (2001-)
320 ± 158
Gulf War (1990s)
288 ± 175

Portage, IN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.93 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Portage, IN.

Health

94.2% of the population of Portage, IN has health coverage, with 54% on employee plans, 17.9% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 8.21% on non-group plans, and 0.736% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Indiana see 1,524 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,524 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1681 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 474 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48% were men and 52% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.8% under 18 years, 22.2% between 18 and 34 years, 40.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48% were men and 52% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.83%

Uninsured

54%

Employer Coverage

17.9%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

8.21%

Non-Group

0.736%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Portage, IN declined by 5.16% from 6.15% to 5.83%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Portage, IN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Portage, IN employs 18.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Portage, IN were Manufacturing (3,493 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,858 people), and Retail Trade (1,965 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($102,727), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($79,327), and Manufacturing ($71,557).

Employment

Occupations

18.5k

2024 Value

± 1,242

3.79%

1 Year growth

± 9.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portage, IN grew at a rate of 3.79%, from 17.8k employees to 18.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Portage, IN, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,032 people), Production Occupations (1,595 people), and Management Occupations (1,576 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Portage, IN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Indiana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

18.5k

2024 Value

± 1,242

3.79%

1 Year growth

± 9.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portage, IN grew at a rate of 3.79%, from 17.8k employees to 18.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Portage, IN, are Manufacturing (3,493 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,858 people), and Retail Trade (1,965 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Portage, IN, though some of these residents may live in Portage, IN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$55,600

Median earning men ± $7,125

$37,737

Median earning women ± $3,409

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($145,722), Wholesale Trade ($89,833), and Manufacturing ($82,083).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($57,500), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,659), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,688).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.21M people employed in Indiana. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Indiana.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing the state of Indiana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Indiana is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Portage, IN. Showing the available data for Indiana.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.8%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (39.8%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Indiana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (39.8%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Indiana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Indiana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Indiana.

Todd Young

Senator from Indiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Jim Banks

Senator from Indiana

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Todd Young and Jim Banks are the senators currently representing Indiana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Indiana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2017, universities in Portage, IN awarded 4 degrees. The student population of Portage, IN in 2017 is skewed towards women, with 17 male students and 21 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Portage, IN are Hispanic or Latino (2 and 50%) and Black or African American (2 and 50%).

The largest universities in Portage, IN by number of degrees awarded are Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College-Portage (4 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Portage, IN are Barbering (4 and 100%), General Cosmetology (0 and 0%), and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (0 and 0%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2017 there were 38 students enrolled in Portage, IN, 44.7% men and 55.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 27 records, of which 66.7% were women and 33.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Barbering

Most Common

4 degrees awarded

In 2017, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Portage, IN was Barbering with 4 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Portage, IN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College-Portage

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

4 degrees awarded

In 2017, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College-Portage with 4 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2017, 3 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Portage, IN, which is 3 times more than the 1 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2017, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2 degrees mean that there were 1 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Portage, IN was $224,200 in 2024, which is 0.674 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $210,800 to $224,200, a 6.36% increase. The homeownership rate in Portage, IN is 72.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Portage, IN have an average commute time of 27.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Portage, IN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$224,200

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,313

$10,887

Median Property Taxes

±$909

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Portage, IN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Portage, IN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.9%

Homeownership

2024

63.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 72.9% of the housing units in Portage, IN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Portage, IN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$76,276

Median Household Income

± $4,260

14.9k

Number of Households

± 1,072

In 2024, the median household income of the 14.9k households in Portage, IN grew to $76,276 from the previous year's value of $72,833.

The following chart displays the households in Portage, IN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Portage, IN is from Indiana.

0.442

2024 Wage GINI in Indiana

0.445

2023 Wage GINI in Indiana

In 2024, the income inequality in Indiana was 0.442 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.807% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Indiana was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Indiana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Indiana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (83.5%)
Carpooled (7.68%)
Worked At Home (5.54%)

In 2024, 83.5% of workers in Portage, IN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.68%) and those who worked at home (5.54%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Portage, IN have a longer commute time (27.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.5% of the workforce in Portage, IN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Portage, IN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Portage, IN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Portage, IN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

11.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Portage, IN (4.37k out of 37.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Portage, IN is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.