At a Glance
Median Income
$72,833
$34,401 per capita
Home Value
$210,800
Zillow: $269,771
Median Rent
$1,138/mo
33.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
261/100K
1,155/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
16.0%
90.3% high school+
Unemployment
7.3%
9.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
42.6%
17.2% smoking rate
How Portage Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Portage's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Portage a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Portage residents earn a median household income of $72,833 , which is 3% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $34,401. The unemployment rate stands at 7.3% (103% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 4,215 business establishments, including 369 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Portage is $210,800 , 25% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $269,771. Median rent is $1,138/month, with 33.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1979.
Safety & Crime
Portage reports 261 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 31% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,155/100K. The murder rate is 12.9/100K.
Education
16.0% of adults in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(53% below the national average).
90.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Portage has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Data Overview
People
Population37,951
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density1,481/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born3.4%
Veterans7.5%
Economy
B+
Median Income$72,833
Per Capita$34,401
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$9,875M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,120
Housing
A+
Home Value$210,800
Rent$1,138
Ownership71.8%
Zillow$269,771
Housing Units15,696
Rent Burden33.0%
Crime
F
Violent261/100K
Property1,155/100K
Murder12.9/100K
Assault194/100K
Burglary83/100K
Health
Obesity42.6%
Diabetes12.2%
Smoking17.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
Premature Death7,441/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain39.2 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation653 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.0%
High School+90.3%
Graduate+4.3%
School Score6.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 54% / D 44%
Commute28 min
Broadband90.0%
Internet Speed106 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries7
Did You Know?
Portage was founded in 1967.
The median home in Portage was built in 1979.
The nearest airport is Gary/Chicago International (12 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.428 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
11.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 106 Mbps.
There are 369 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 24 fatal vehicle crashes.