Valparaiso, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Valparaiso is a mid-size city in Indiana with a population of 34,377. Residents earn $67,664 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
34,377 Population 2,006/sq mi density
$67,664 Median Income $39,158 per capita
$250,500 Home Value $350,880 Zillow
$1,142 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
108 Violent Crime/100K 1,912 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$67,664 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$250,500 home value, $1,142/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
108 violent crimes/100K (72% below avg)
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,664
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $250,500
11% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 108/100K
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.6%
20% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,142
2% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

How Valparaiso Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population34,377
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density2,006/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,664
Per Capita$39,158
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$9,875M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$250,500
Rent$1,142
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$350,880

Crime

F
Violent108/100K
Property1,912/100K
Murder3.1/100K
Assault83/100K
Burglary170/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Elevation794 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.6%
High School+93.8%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 44%
Commute23 min
EV Stations14
Libraries7

Is Valparaiso a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Valparaiso receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Valparaiso offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Valparaiso is $67,664, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Valparaiso is $250,500, 11% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,142 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Valparaiso is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 108 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,912 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Valparaiso experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Valparaiso has a population of 34,377 with a density of 2,006 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.8%), with 3.5% Black.

Population

34,377
Total Population
2,006
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
17.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Valparaiso vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.6%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.4%
37% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Valparaiso vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Valparaiso is $67,664, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Valparaiso vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,664
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,158
Avg Weekly Wage$1,120
IRS Avg AGI$88,304

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,215
County GDP$9,875M

Business (County)

Restaurants369
Healthcare439
Retail464
Manufacturing151

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,957
42% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Work from Home9.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Valparaiso is $250,500, 11% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,142 (2% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $350,880.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$250,500
11% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$350,880
Median List Price$399,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$399,900
$/Sq Ft$179
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio96.3%
Price Drops26.0%
Inventory77

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,142
2% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,437

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$882
2 Bedrooms$1,096
3 Bedrooms$1,391
4 Bedrooms$1,590

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,957
42% above US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Valparaiso, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Valparaiso vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure34.5%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death7,441/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access79.4%
Healthcare Facilities439
Valparaiso has a violent crime rate of 108 per 100,000 residents, 72% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,912 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 3.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Valparaiso vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent108.1/100K
72% below US avg
Murder3.1/100K
51% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery21.6/100K
Assault83.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,911.6/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary169.9/100K
Theft1,624.4/100K
Vehicle Theft117.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Valparaiso has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation794 ft (242 m)
Area17.1 sq mi (44.4 km²)
Population Density2,006/sq mi
Coordinates41.4798°N, 87.0523°W
County FIPS18127
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 40.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.3%
D 43.8%

Winner: Republican by 10.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.6%
20% above US avg
High School+93.8%
School Test Score6.01
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,006/sq mi
Total Area17.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations14
Alt Fuel Stations24
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities439
Restaurants369
Retail Stores464

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Work from Home9.3%

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