Porter, Indiana | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 41°37′34″N87°04′57″W / 41.62611°N 87.08250°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Indiana |
County | Porter |
Township | Westchester |
Area | |
• Total | 6.44 sq mi (16.69 km2) |
• Land | 6.16 sq mi (15.96 km2) |
• Water | 0.28 sq mi (0.74 km2) |
Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,210 |
• Density | 845.64/sq mi (326.50/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 46304, 46369 |
Area code | 219 |
FIPS code | 18-61164 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 2396863 [2] |
Website | http://www.townofporter.com/ |
Porter is a town in Westchester Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. [2] The population was 4,858 at the 2010 census. Porter is in the Indiana Dunes ecosystem, which played a role in the creation of The Nature Conservancy, [4] [5] and inspired conservation efforts. [6] [7] [8] [9]
Porter is noted[ where? ] for its proximity to Indiana Dunes State Park and for its railroad heritage. Porter was the southern terminus for the Chicago and West Michigan Railway.
Porter had its start in the 1850s when the railroad was extended to that point. [10]
The Joseph Bailly Homestead is located in Indiana Dunes National Park on Howe Road, just north of U.S. 20. It is the residence of three generations of the Bailly family. Joseph and Marie Bailly arrived here in 1822 from the St. Joseph River in Michigan. He had been a fur trader on Lake Michigan for nearly 30 years when he set up his family home along the Little Calumet River. [11]
The Chellberg Farm is also a three generation home, but of the family of Anders Kjellburg (Chellberg). He brought his family to this Swedish community in 1869, purchasing 80 acres (32 ha) from the Bailly descendants. [11] The farm is located on Mineral Springs Road, north of U.S. 20.
The Augsburg Swedish Lutheran Church and Cemetery are located on Beam Street, west of town. The cemetery was founded in 1878. [12]
In addition to the Joseph Bailly Homestead, the Good Fellow Club Youth Camp and Porter Town Hall are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [13] [14]
According to the 2010 census, Porter has a total area of 6.48 square miles (16.78 km2), of which 6.2 square miles (16.06 km2) (or 95.68%) is land and 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2) (or 4.32%) is water. [15]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 224 | — | |
1910 | 524 | — | |
1920 | 699 | 33.4% | |
1930 | 805 | 15.2% | |
1940 | 1,190 | 47.8% | |
1950 | 1,458 | 22.5% | |
1960 | 2,189 | 50.1% | |
1970 | 3,058 | 39.7% | |
1980 | 2,988 | −2.3% | |
1990 | 3,118 | 4.4% | |
2000 | 4,972 | 59.5% | |
2010 | 4,858 | −2.3% | |
2020 | 5,210 | 7.2% | |
Source: US Census Bureau |
As of the census [16] of 2010, there were 4,858 people, 1,832 households, and 1,310 families living in the town. The population density was 783.5 inhabitants per square mile (302.5/km2). There were 1,978 housing units at an average density of 319.0 per square mile (123.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.3% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.6% of the population.
There were 1,832 households, of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.12.
The median age in the town was 39.1 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 4,972 people, 1,844 households, and 1,300 families living in the town. The population density was 788.8 inhabitants per square mile (304.6/km2). There were 1,966 housing units at an average density of 311.9 per square mile (120.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.14% White, 0.82% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.62% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population.
There were 1,844 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $50,625, and the median income for a family was $60,254. Males had a median income of $50,799 versus $26,055 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,615. About 4.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Porter County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 173,215, making it the 10th most populous county in Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso. The county is part of Northwest Indiana, as well as the Chicago metropolitan area. Porter County is the site of much of the Indiana Dunes, an area of ecological significance. The Hour Glass Museum in Ogden Dunes documents the region's ecological significance.
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Burns Harbor is a town in Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana, United States on the shores of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 1,156 at the 2010 census. Burns Harbor is located adjacent to the Indiana Dunes, an area that conservationists have fought hard to preserve.
Chesterton is a town in Westchester, Jackson and Liberty townships in Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 14,241 at the 2020 Census. The three towns of Chesterton, Burns Harbor, and Porter are known as the Duneland area.
Dune Acres is a town in Westchester Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 182 at the 2010 census. Dune Acres is located in the duneland of the south shore of Lake Michigan. Many residents of Dune Acres and surrounding communities helped preserve parts of the Indiana Dunes.
Hebron is a town in Boone Township, Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,724 at the 2010 census.
Kouts is a town in Pleasant Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 2,028 at the 2020 census. Since 2010, Kouts has had a population growth of 7.90 percent.
Ogden Dunes is a town in Portage Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan, within Indiana Dunes National Park and nearly surrounded by the city of Portage. The population was 1,110 at the 2010 census. It is named for multi-millionaire Francis A. Ogden, who owned the land there before his death in 1914. His main interest in the land where the dunes are was the sand which could be scooped up and sold, with more sand being replenished naturally over time.
Town of Pines is a town in Pine Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 708 at the 2010 census.
Lagro is a town in Lagro Township, Wabash County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 415 at the 2010 census.
Portage is a city in Portage Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana, on the border with Lake County. The population was 37,926 as of the 2020 census. It is the largest city in Porter County, and third largest in Northwest Indiana.