LaPorte County | |
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Coordinates: 41°36′N86°43′W / 41.600°N 86.717°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Indiana |
Regions | Northwest Indiana and Michiana |
Metro area | Chicago Metropolitan |
Established | April 1, 1832 |
Named for | "The Door" or "The Port" ( fr. ) [1] |
County seat | La Porte |
Largest city | Michigan City (population and total area) |
Incorporated municipalities | 11 cities and towns
|
Government | |
• Type | County |
• Body | Board of Commissioners |
• Commissioner | Connie Gramarossa (R, 1st) |
• Commissioner | Richard Mrozinksi (R, 2nd) |
• Commissioner | Joe Haney (R, 3rd) |
• County Council | |
Area | |
• County | 613.26 sq mi (1,588.3 km2) |
• Land | 598.30 sq mi (1,549.6 km2) |
• Water | 14.96 sq mi (38.7 km2) |
• Metro | 10,874 sq mi (28,160 km2) |
• Rank | 2nd largest county in Indiana |
• Region | 2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2) |
Elevation [2] (mean) | 778 ft (237 m) |
Highest elevation [3] – SW Galena Twp | 957 ft (292 m) |
Lowest elevation [4] – at Lake Michigan | 581 ft (177 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• County | 112,417 |
• Estimate (2023) | 111,706 |
• Rank | 16th largest county in Indiana |
• Density | 180/sq mi (71/km2) |
• Metro | 9,618,502 |
• Region | 819,537 |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (Central) |
ZIP Codes | 46340, 46345-46, 46348, 46350, 46352, 46360-61, 46365, 46371, 46382, 46390-91, 46532, 46552, 46554, 46574 |
Area code | 219 |
Congressional districts | 1st and 2nd |
Indiana Senate districts | 5th and 8th |
Indiana House of Representatives districts | 7th, 9th, 17th and 20th |
FIPS code | 18-091 |
GNIS feature ID | 0450507 |
Interstates | |
U.S. Routes | |
State Routes | |
Airports | La Porte Municipal Michigan City Municipal |
Waterways | East Arm Little Calumet River Kankakee River Lake Michigan Little Calumet River Trail Creek |
Amtrak station | Michigan City (closed) |
South Shore Line stations | 11th Street – Carroll Avenue Hudson Lake |
Public transit | Michigan City Transit |
Website | www.laportecounty.org |
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LaPorte County [5] is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 112,417. [6] The county seat is the city of La Porte, [7] and the largest city is Michigan City. This county is part of the Northwest Indiana and Michiana regions of the Chicago metropolitan area. The LaPorte County Courthouse is located in the county seat of La Porte and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LaPorte County was formed in 1832. La porte means "the door" or "the port" in French. [1] French travelers or explorers so named the area after discovering a natural opening in the dense forests that used to exist in this region, providing a gateway to lands further west. [8] [9]
From 1832 to 1835 LaPorte County had its boundaries and jurisdiction of the land west of it going all the way to the east border of Chicago in Cook County, IL (land which is now Porter and Lake Counties).
Before European-American settlement, all of the land that forms modern-day LaPorte County, and adjacent Starke County to the south belonged to the Potawatomi Indian nation. These Indians were forcibly removed to Kansas by the United States government in 1838, and many died on what survivors called the Trail of Death. [10] [11]
LaPorte County's initial European-American settlers were Yankee migrants, that is to say they were from New England or were from upstate New York and had parents who were from New England, and were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were part of a wave of New England settlers moving west into what was then the Northwest Territory after the completion of the Erie Canal through the Mohawk Valley of New York State.
These first settlers in LaPorte County specifically hailed from the Massachusetts towns of Granville, Boston, Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Andover, Nantucket Island, and Hampshire County; the Connecticut towns of Colchester, Wethersfield, Granby, and New Haven; the New Hampshire towns of Bradford, Amherst and Goffstown; the Vermont villages of Dorset, Albany and Fairfax; many also came from Orange County, Vermont, Caledonia County, Vermont and Penobscot County, Maine. They were mainly members of the Congregational Church. As result of the Second Great Awakening, many became Baptists and many also converted to Pentecostalism and Methodism. When they arrived in what is now LaPorte County, there was nothing but virgin forest and prairie. The New England settlers cleared roads and brush, developed farms, constructed churches, erected government buildings, and established post routes. As a result of this migration, La Porte County was partially culturally continuous with early New England culture for many years. [12]
But by 1850, the three Eastern states that had contributed the most residents to LaPorte County were New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, surpassing those migrants from New England. LaPorte County had the largest number of Southerners north of the Wabash Valley. [13]
During the Civil War, the Louisville Journal noted that the 29th Indiana Regiment (mustered out of LaPorte) "may almost be regarded as a Kentucky regiment for a large majority of its members are either natives or descendants of native Kentuckians". [14] Three Union Camps reigned in LaPorte County helping the Union to Civil War victory.
When the county was initially proposed and organized, its boundaries did not extend as far south or east as they do today. A section of land north of the Kankakee River originally belonged to Starke County. However, residents living in that area had difficulty crossing the river in order to reach the rest of the county. It was necessary to travel some distance east to Lemon's bridge, before making the journey south. Effectively isolated from the rest of Starke County, these residents asked that their land be annexed to LaPorte County, which was completed on January 28, 1842. Thereafter, the Kankakee River formed the southern boundary of the county. Finally, on January 10, 1850, some twenty sections of land were annexed from St. Joseph County to the east, giving LaPorte County the boundaries that essentially exist to this day. [10]
Whether the correct spelling of the city and county is "La Porte" or "LaPorte" is disputed, [15] although state law refers to "LaPorte County." [16] [17]
LaPorte County is noted for being the place of the Belle Gunness serial murders. Gunness lived on a farm on the outskirts of the county seat.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 613.26 square miles (1,588.3 km2), of which 598.30 square miles (1,549.6 km2) (or 97.56%) is land and 14.96 square miles (38.7 km2) (or 2.44%) is water. [18] The highest point, at 957 feet (292 m), [3] is in southwestern Galena Township near County Roads East 600 North and North 150 East. The lowest point, at 581 feet (177 m), [4] is along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The municipalities in LaPorte County and their populations as of the 2010 Census:
LaPorte County contains 21 townships, more than any other county in the state. [19] The townships, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 8,184 | — | |
1850 | 12,145 | 48.4% | |
1860 | 22,919 | 88.7% | |
1870 | 27,062 | 18.1% | |
1880 | 30,985 | 14.5% | |
1890 | 34,445 | 11.2% | |
1900 | 38,386 | 11.4% | |
1910 | 45,797 | 19.3% | |
1920 | 50,443 | 10.1% | |
1930 | 60,490 | 19.9% | |
1940 | 63,660 | 5.2% | |
1950 | 76,808 | 20.7% | |
1960 | 95,111 | 23.8% | |
1970 | 105,342 | 10.8% | |
1980 | 108,632 | 3.1% | |
1990 | 107,066 | −1.4% | |
2000 | 110,106 | 2.8% | |
2010 | 111,467 | 1.2% | |
2020 | 112,417 | 0.9% | |
2023 (est.) | 111,706 | [20] | −0.6% |
U.S. Decennial Census [21] 1790-1960 [22] 1900-1990 [23] 1990-2000 [24] 2010 [25] |
Race | Pop 2010 [28] | Pop 2020 [29] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH) | 90,695 | 85,957 | 81.4% | 76.5% |
Black or African American (NH) | 11,853 | 11,874 | 10.6% | 10.6% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 246 | 250 | 0.2% | 0.2% |
Asian (NH) | 570 | 743 | 0.5% | 0.7% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 13 | 18 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 97 | 467 | 0.1% | 0.4% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,918 | 5,123 | 1.7% | 4.6% |
Hispanic or Latino | 6,093 | 7,985 | 5.5% | 7.1% |
Total | 111,467 | 112,417 |
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 111,467 people, 42,331 households, and 28,228 families residing in the county. [30] The population density was 186.3 inhabitants per square mile (71.9/km2). There were 48,448 housing units at an average density of 81.0 per square mile (31.3/km2). [18] The racial makeup of the county was 84.1% white, 10.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population. [30] In terms of ancestry, 30.7% were German, 15.3% were Irish, 11.5% were Polish, 8.3% were English, and 5.9% were American. [31]
Of the 42,331 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.6 years. [30]
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $56,679. Males had a median income of $45,537 versus $30,774 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,599. About 9.9% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. [32]
School districts include: [33]
The county is served by five different public library systems:
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In recent years, average temperatures in La Porte have ranged from a low of 12 °F (−11 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −28 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.68 inches (43 mm) in February to 4.79 inches (122 mm) in June. [41]
Public schools in LaPorte County are administered by seven different districts:
The county government is a constitutional body and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 25,997 | 52.54% | 22,427 | 45.32% | 1,059 | 2.14% |
2016 | 22,687 | 49.74% | 19,798 | 43.41% | 3,124 | 6.85% |
2012 | 18,615 | 42.62% | 24,107 | 55.19% | 959 | 2.20% |
2008 | 17,918 | 38.11% | 28,258 | 60.10% | 842 | 1.79% |
2004 | 20,916 | 49.09% | 21,114 | 49.56% | 576 | 1.35% |
2000 | 18,994 | 47.79% | 19,736 | 49.65% | 1,017 | 2.56% |
1996 | 14,106 | 35.82% | 19,879 | 50.48% | 5,392 | 13.69% |
1992 | 14,962 | 35.24% | 17,717 | 41.72% | 9,784 | 23.04% |
1988 | 20,537 | 53.64% | 17,585 | 45.93% | 163 | 0.43% |
1984 | 23,346 | 59.00% | 15,904 | 40.20% | 317 | 0.80% |
1980 | 22,424 | 55.32% | 15,387 | 37.96% | 2,727 | 6.73% |
1976 | 21,989 | 54.09% | 18,217 | 44.81% | 449 | 1.10% |
1972 | 26,243 | 65.98% | 13,222 | 33.24% | 311 | 0.78% |
1968 | 20,295 | 49.76% | 15,780 | 38.69% | 4,708 | 11.54% |
1964 | 16,270 | 42.16% | 22,220 | 57.57% | 104 | 0.27% |
1960 | 22,738 | 52.71% | 20,317 | 47.10% | 85 | 0.20% |
1956 | 24,622 | 62.90% | 14,417 | 36.83% | 103 | 0.26% |
1952 | 22,576 | 59.83% | 15,011 | 39.78% | 146 | 0.39% |
1948 | 15,661 | 52.45% | 13,923 | 46.63% | 275 | 0.92% |
1944 | 16,543 | 54.12% | 13,896 | 45.46% | 129 | 0.42% |
1940 | 15,771 | 53.29% | 13,732 | 46.40% | 90 | 0.30% |
1936 | 11,722 | 42.79% | 15,359 | 56.07% | 311 | 1.14% |
1932 | 10,739 | 41.31% | 14,890 | 57.28% | 366 | 1.41% |
1928 | 14,763 | 61.32% | 9,254 | 38.44% | 58 | 0.24% |
1924 | 11,597 | 61.22% | 5,214 | 27.52% | 2,132 | 11.25% |
1920 | 11,204 | 65.00% | 5,459 | 31.67% | 575 | 3.34% |
1916 | 5,726 | 50.29% | 5,276 | 46.33% | 385 | 3.38% |
1912 | 2,701 | 24.87% | 4,847 | 44.62% | 3,314 | 30.51% |
1908 | 5,824 | 49.52% | 5,680 | 48.30% | 256 | 2.18% |
1904 | 5,952 | 55.68% | 4,472 | 41.84% | 265 | 2.48% |
1900 | 4,809 | 49.52% | 4,783 | 49.25% | 119 | 1.23% |
1896 | 4,691 | 50.28% | 4,511 | 48.35% | 127 | 1.36% |
1892 | 3,548 | 41.95% | 4,703 | 55.61% | 206 | 2.44% |
1888 | 3,722 | 44.11% | 4,607 | 54.60% | 109 | 1.29% |
County Council: The county council is the fiscal-legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of income and property taxes that are subject to state-level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes. [51] [52]
Board of Commissioners: The executive-legislative body of the county is the board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government. [51] [52]
Court: The county has five elected trial court judges. They include the LaPorte Circuit Court and Superior Courts one through four. The judges are elected to six-year terms on partisan ballots. Superior Courts three and four maintain small claims dockets. Decisions from any trial court may be appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. [52] The Circuit Court and Superior court three are located in the city of La Porte; Superior courts one, two and four are located in Michigan City.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county. [52]
LaPorte County is split between Indiana's 1st and Indiana's 2nd congressional district and is represented by Rudy Yakym and Frank Mrvan in the United States Congress. It is also part of Indiana Senate districts 5 and 8 [53] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 7, 9, 17 and 20. [54]
County elected officials:
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Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2020, its population was 498,700, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. The county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area, and contains a mix of urban, suburban and rural areas. It is bordered on the north by Lake Michigan and contains a portion of the Indiana Dunes. It includes Marktown, Clayton Mark's planned worker community in East Chicago.
LaGrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 40,446. The county seat is LaGrange, Indiana. The county is located in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana and is about 55 miles (89 km) east of South Bend, 105 miles (169 km) west of Toledo, Ohio, and 175 miles (282 km) northeast of Indianapolis. The area is well known for its large Amish population. For that reason, the county teams up with neighboring Elkhart County to promote tourism by referring to the area as Northern Indiana Amish Country. About half of LaGrange County is Amish, and it is home to the third-largest Amish community in the United States, which belongs to the Elkhart-LaGrange Amish affiliation.
Kingsford Heights is a town in Union Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,335 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. Also known as "Victory City," the town was built by the United States government for workers that worked in the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant, an ammunitions plant that served the US during World War II and later the Korean War.
La Porte is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the county seat. Its population was estimated to be 21,341 in 2022. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana metropolitan statistical area, which is included in the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, Illinois–Indiana–Wisconsin combined statistical area.
Michiana Shores is a town in Springfield and Michigan townships, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 313 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. Michiana Shores is located in northwesternmost Springfield Township, and is the township's sole incorporated community.
Westville is a town in New Durham Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population, as of the 2020 census is 5257. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. Westville is located in Northwest Indiana, also known as The Region.
Indiana's 1st congressional district is an electoral district for the U.S. Congress in Northwestern Indiana. The district is based in Gary and its surrounding suburbs and exurbs. It consists of all of Lake and Porter counties, as well as most of the western part La Porte County, on the border with Michigan. Redistricting passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2011 shifted the district's boundaries, effective January 2013, to include all of Lake and Porter counties and the western and northwestern townships of La Porte County, while moving Benton, Jasper and Newton counties out of the district.
Railroad Township is one of nine townships in Starke County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,211 and it contained 531 housing units.
Pine Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 2,709.
New Durham Township is one of twenty-one townships in LaPorte County, Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 8,105 and it contained 2,351 housing units.
Greene Township is one of thirteen townships in St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,040.
Olive Township is one of thirteen townships in St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,914.
Hudson Lake is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hudson Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The town sits on the dividing line between Central and Eastern time zones. It is the site of the Hudson Lake station stop of the South Shore Line. As of the 2010 census, the population of the CDP was 1,297.
Rolling Prairie is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kankakee Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 562.
South Wanatah is an unincorporated community in Cass Township, LaPorte County, Indiana.
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