Valparaiso, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valparaiso, Indiana had a total population of 34,733, the 29th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $69,872, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 40.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
Valparaiso Quick Facts
How Valparaiso 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 | 34,377 | 34,733 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $67,664 | $69,872 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $250,500 | $267,300 | +6.7% |
How Valparaiso 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Valparaiso Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Porter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | 38,082 | $76,276 | 11.6% | $224,200 |
| 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 Valparaiso
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% |
| Goshen | 34,420 | $59,184 | $184,900 | 23.7% | 17.1% |
| Portage | 38,082 | $76,276 | $224,200 | 18.4% | 11.6% |
| Plainfield | 36,369 | $87,272 | $280,600 | 32.7% | 8.1% |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | $294,800 | 34.6% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Valparaiso is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Porter County. The total population is 34,733. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valparaiso is 37.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Valparaiso is $69,872. This is 3% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $267,300. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Valparaiso is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 9.1%.
Education
40.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Valparaiso in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% higher 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 94.7%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, Indiana?
Valparaiso, Indiana has a population of 34,733 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valparaiso, IN?
The median household income in Valparaiso is $69,872, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valparaiso, IN?
The poverty rate in Valparaiso is 14.9%. This means approximately 4,800 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valparaiso, Indiana?
Valparaiso's population is 80.0% White, 3.3% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valparaiso, IN?
The median home value in Valparaiso is $267,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Valparaiso, Indiana?
40.6% of adults (25+) in Valparaiso hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.