Portage, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portage, Indiana had a total population of 38,082, the 24th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $76,276, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Portage Quick Facts
How Portage Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,951 | 38,082 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $72,833 | $76,276 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $210,800 | $224,200 | +6.4% |
How Portage Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portage Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Porter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso | 34,733 | $69,872 | 14.9% | $267,300 |
| Chesterton | 14,446 | $91,060 | 9.3% | $300,900 |
| South Haven | 7,241 | $76,003 | 12.7% | $178,200 |
| Porter | 5,217 | $74,542 | 10.5% | $267,700 |
| Hebron | 3,976 | $73,812 | 6.3% | $202,800 |
| Shorewood Forest | 3,263 | $165,972 | 8.6% | $479,100 |
| Kouts | 2,372 | $77,607 | 4.2% | $235,400 |
| Burns Harbor | 2,155 | $98,500 | 11.5% | $241,500 |
| Salt Creek Commons | 1,843 | $94,167 | 8.4% | $198,300 |
| Aberdeen | 1,490 | $94,926 | 1.4% | $367,100 |
Cities Similar to Portage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrillville | 36,476 | $67,587 | $211,400 | 26.1% | 12.6% |
| Plainfield | 36,369 | $87,272 | $280,600 | 32.7% | 8.1% |
| Valparaiso | 34,733 | $69,872 | $267,300 | 40.6% | 14.9% |
| New Albany | 37,581 | $54,710 | $180,500 | 23.7% | 18.9% |
| Goshen | 34,420 | $59,184 | $184,900 | 23.7% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Portage is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Porter County. The total population is 38,082. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage is 39.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage is $76,276. This is 6% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $224,200. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Portage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.3% vs 8.6%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portage, Indiana?
Portage, Indiana has a population of 38,082 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage, IN?
The median household income in Portage is $76,276, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portage, IN?
The poverty rate in Portage is 11.6%. This means approximately 4,365 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage, Indiana?
Portage's population is 64.8% White, 9.3% Black, 21.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage, IN?
The median home value in Portage is $224,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Portage, Indiana?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.