Porter County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in the state over the last few years.
The county has gained 2,522 residents since 2020, an increase of 1.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s been the 13th fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest outside central Indiana, which has typically driven much of the state’s population growth.
Last year, Porter County's population grew to an estimated 175,860, up from 175,289 the previous year, according to a Census Bureau estimate. That’s a 0.3% increase of 571 residents.
Nestled along the south shore of Lake Michigan in the Chicagoland metropolitan area and home to much of the Indiana Dunes National Park, it’s the 10th most populous of Indiana's 92 counties.
Porter County has been growing in part by drawing many Illinois residents across the state line, Northwest Indiana Realtors Association CEO Pete Novak said.
"There are many other indicators of a lower cost of living in Indiana versus Illinois as well. While Illinois has a higher income per capita than Indiana, Northwest Indiana offers the best of both worlds for some of these new residents,” Novak said. “I'm not saying the majority do, but Northwest Indiana offers the opportunity for someone to work in Illinois yet live in Indiana. They can generally make a higher income while spending less on (the) cost of living."
Historically, Porter County has also been drawing from Lake County as residents seek lower taxes and cost of living. Many have also moved from older, more established cities and suburbs to new construction in growing hotspots like Valparaiso.
"The difference between Porter County and Lake County is that Porter County is also drawing many residents from Lake County," Novak said.
Porter County has been experiencing a natural population decline, in which deaths outnumber births, for the first time within the last four years, Indiana University demographer Matt Kinghorn said. Due to widespread demographic changes in society, such as the aging of the baby boomer population and lower birth rates, only 30 of Indiana's 92 counties experienced natural growth last year.
People are moving to Porter County communities like Valparaiso, Portage and Chesterton, said Jennifer Parham, the CEO and owner of Lighthouse Realty and past president of the Indiana Association of Realtors. Hebron is also becoming a more popular spot with new subdivisions being built not far from Interstate 65.
Parham recently showed a home in Hebron to someone looking to relocate from Joliet.
"With Illinois taxation, we have more and more people looking to migrate," she said.
Valparaiso remains a major draw with good schools, a vibrant downtown, many dining options and the ChicaGo Dash express bus service for commuters.
"There's still proximity to Chicago and you can get more bang for your buck in Porter County," Parham said. "There used to be one or two subdivisions people would move to, but we are seeing more communities being built. We also are seeing more transitional homes like patio homes, paired duplexes and cottages for people looking to downsize."
Porter County has been seeing a surge of people moving from Illinois, said Dave Woodson, broker associate with Dream Team Agents. Many of the transplants are looking for move-in-ready homes priced between $400,000 and $500,000, Woodson said.
"You're seeing growth coming out of Illinois, which people are leaving because of taxes and politics and crime," he said. "People are moving out of Illinois and coming to Valparaiso and Chesterton."
Valparaiso has grown to an estimated 34,600 residents, up from 31,700 during the last official U.S. Census in 2010.
"Valparaiso offers a very high quality of life: it’s a very safe community, it has great schools, wonderful neighborhoods, a university, a fantastic parks system, strong business and nonprofit organizations, a vibrant faith community and a responsive local government," Mayor Jon Costas said. "On top of this, it offers fair taxes and an affordable cost of living. These and many other positive qualities explain why we are a growing community."
Portage has been growing with an estimated population of more than 38,500 residents, up from 36,800 during the last formal U.S. Census.
"Porter County, Indiana has been one of the best-kept secrets, but the secret is out," Portage Mayor Austin Bonta said. "Porter County is known as a safe place, a great place to raise a family and it's accessible to places like Chicago, the National Park and beaches. We're getting more amenities within our own county as we see more development. We have urban areas, more suburban areas and small towns all in one county. All of America is in Porter County. It's a safe place to live, start a business, work or play. Word has gotten out. It attracts people."
Portage has the third largest population of any city in Northwest Indiana and has been adding new subdivisions like Cedar Creek, Sandy Trails, North Wood Trail and Providence at Farmington. However, the city also has a lot of older housing stock in established neighborhoods people have been moving to.
"The biggest thing is so many people are moving to Porter County because it's somewhere that's safe, has great scenery and is a wonderful place to live," Bonta said.
Chesterton has many amenities like a charming downtown, two different weekly farmers markets and many dining and shopping options, town spokesman Kevin Nevers said. It has a variety of trails, parks and playgrounds.
"Folks in Chesterton enjoy a high quality of life," he said. "The neighborhoods are safe, quiet and green. Our youth are exceptionally well educated in the Duneland Schools, with outstanding athletic, music and extracurricular academic programming."
Chesterton has added a significant amount of new housing over the past five or 10 years, including in subdivisions like Stone Meadows, Easton Park, Springdale and 1100 Woods.
"Porter County generally and Chesterton in particular are also blessed by location," he said. "In 15 minutes, I can drive from my house to any one of five or six fine Lake Michigan beaches, while Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park — both of them hugely popular destinations — are nestled pretty much in our backyard. Chicago’s under an hour away by car — a straight shot on I-94 or I-90 — or you can hop a South Shore commuter train at either of two convenient stations and enjoy a ride into the city made even faster by the recent completion of the Double Track project."
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