Living in Portage, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portage · Census data 2020–2024
Portage has 38,082 residents with a median age of 39.8. The median household income is $76,276 (6% higher than the Indiana median), the median home value is $224,200, the median rent is $1,231/month.
Portage at a glance
- Population
- 38,082
- Median age
- 39.8State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $76,276State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $224,200State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,231/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 72.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.4%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Portage a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 6% higher than the Indiana median; a poverty rate of 11.6%.
Cons: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 7.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portage
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portage the median home value is $224,200, 33% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,231 per month, which is 31.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,539 a month in housing costs.
Portage median household income
The median household income in Portage is $76,276 and the income per person is $36,293. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in Portage: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 15,790
- Owner-occupied
- 72.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.1%
- Vacant
- 5.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 2.53
Portage demographics
- Population
- 38,082
- Median age
- 39.8
- Under 18
- 20.8%
- 65 and older
- 16%
- Households
- 14,938
- Foreign-born
- 4.1%
- Veterans
- 5.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portage ›
Education in Portage
18.4% of adults 25 and older in Portage have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 6.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portage
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.5%
- Drive alone
- 83.5%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.6%
Portage vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | 38,082 | $76,276 | $224,200 | $1,231 |
| Ogden Dunes | 1,140 | $117,000 | $492,300 | — |
| Burns Harbor | 2,155 | $98,500 | $241,500 | $1,458 |
| Lake Station | 13,185 | $59,591 | $137,400 | $1,124 |
| South Haven | 7,241 | $76,003 | $178,200 | $1,297 |
| New Chicago | 2,225 | $57,313 | $134,100 | $1,141 |
| Porter | 5,217 | $74,542 | $267,700 | $1,026 |
| Salt Creek Commons | 1,843 | $94,167 | $198,300 | $1,388 |
| Dune Acres | 293 | $163,333 | $809,200 | — |
More for people moving to Portage
Portage ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portage: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portage, IN?
The median household income in Portage is $76,276, 6% higher than the Indiana median of $71,957 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Portage?
The median home value in Portage is $224,200, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in Portage?
The median gross rent in Portage is $1,231 per month, about 31.6% of household income.
Is Portage, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 6% higher than the Indiana median; a poverty rate of 11.6%. Minuses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 7.4%.
What is the median age in Portage?
The median age in Portage is 39.8 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in Portage?
The average commute to work in Portage is 27 minutes; 5.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portage?
The unemployment rate in Portage is 7.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portage?
18.4% of adults in Portage have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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