Porter County, Indiana
historyPorter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 146,798 and records show that the population has increased to more than 160,000 as of 2007. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso. This county is part of Northwest Indiana.
History
Porter County was formed in 1836. From 1832 to 1836, the area that was to become Porter County was part of La Porte CountyCalumet Beginnings: Schoon, Kenneth J.. It was named for Capt. David Porter, naval officer during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.
The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes and service taxes.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, the collection of revenue and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.
Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to terms of four years. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serve terms of four years and oversee different parts of the county government. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a party affiliation and be a resident of the county.
Lake County is part of Indiana's 1st congressional district and in 2008 was represented by Pete Visclosky in the United States Congress.
'''2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 146,798 people, 54,649 households, and 39,729 families residing in the county. The population density was 351 people per square mile (136/km²). There were 57,616 housing units at an average density of 138 per square mile (53/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.33% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 4.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of German, 12.3% Irish, 8.3% Polish, 8.0% English and 7.9% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 54,649 households out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,100, and the median income for a family was $61,880. Males had a median income of $50,167 versus $26,347 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,957. About 3.90% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.80% of those under age 18 and 5.60% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools in Porter County are administered by several districts, most of which cover areas that roughly follow the county's township boundaries.
High Schools and Middle Schools
Elementary Schools
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 522 square miles (1,351 km²), of which, 418 square miles (1,083 km²) of it is land and 104 square miles (268 km²) of it is water, most of it in Lake Michigan. The total area is 19.84% water.
Demographics
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;"
|align=center colspan=2| Porter County
Population by year
|-
| align=center |
1990 128,932
1980 119,816
1970 87,114
1960 60,279
1950 40,076
1940 27,836
1930 22,821
1920 20,256
1910 20,540
1900 19,175
1890 18,052
1880 17,227
1870 13,942
1860 10,313
1850 5,234
1840 2,162
|}
Education
Higher Education Campuses include:
* Valparaiso University »http://www.valpo.edu/
Valparaiso University is a Lutheran 4-year degree granting institution.