LaPorte County's composite score of 66.9 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, confirming solid livability relative to American counties overall. The score reflects balanced performance across core dimensions.
2 / 5
Modestly Below State Average
At 66.9, LaPorte County trails Indiana's average of 71.2 by about 4 points, placing it slightly below the state median. Among 92 counties, it ranks in the middle tier.
3 / 5
Affordability and Tax Efficiency Work
LaPorte County offers strong cost value (77.2 score) with median homes at $180,700 and rent at $926/month, combined with reasonable taxes (0.794% effective rate, 79.9 score). Health outcomes of 67.9 add stability.
4 / 5
Income Levels Constrain Growth
The income score of 29.4 reflects median household earnings of just $70,452, limiting wealth accumulation and economic mobility. Missing school and safety data also leaves gaps in the livability picture.
5 / 5
Practical Home for Cost-Conscious Buyers
LaPorte County suits established families and retirees seeking affordable housing and stable tax conditions without premium service costs. It's particularly appealing to those who value Lake Michigan proximity and Midwest simplicity over rapid economic advancement.
LaPorte County's composite score of 66.9 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, confirming solid livability relative to American counties overall. The score reflects balanced performance across core dimensions.
Modestly Below State Average
At 66.9, LaPorte County trails Indiana's average of 71.2 by about 4 points, placing it slightly below the state median. Among 92 counties, it ranks in the middle tier.
Affordability and Tax Efficiency Work
LaPorte County offers strong cost value (77.2 score) with median homes at $180,700 and rent at $926/month, combined with reasonable taxes (0.794% effective rate, 79.9 score). Health outcomes of 67.9 add stability.
Income Levels Constrain Growth
The income score of 29.4 reflects median household earnings of just $70,452, limiting wealth accumulation and economic mobility. Missing school and safety data also leaves gaps in the livability picture.
Practical Home for Cost-Conscious Buyers
LaPorte County suits established families and retirees seeking affordable housing and stable tax conditions without premium service costs. It's particularly appealing to those who value Lake Michigan proximity and Midwest simplicity over rapid economic advancement.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
LaPorte County's effective tax rate of 0.794% exceeds the national median of 0.630%, placing it squarely in the higher-tax tier. At $1,435 in median annual taxes on $180,700 homes, residents here pay notably more than the U.S. average.
Ranks third-highest in Indiana group
LaPorte County's 0.794% effective rate significantly exceeds Indiana's state average of 0.671%, ranking it third-highest among these eight counties. Median taxes of $1,435 are well above the state median of $1,199.
Higher taxes than most in region
LaPorte County's 0.794% rate exceeds Kosciusko (0.598%), LaGrange (0.542%), and Lawrence (0.604%), but falls short of Lake County's 0.925%. It ranks in the upper tier regionally, approaching Lake County's steep burden.
What $180,700 home costs annually
A typical LaPorte County homeowner with a $180,700 home pays approximately $1,435 in annual property taxes. With mortgage, that figure rises to $1,448; without, to $1,414—a consistent burden for households of this economic tier.
Appeals can ease the burden
LaPorte County homeowners often carry assessments above actual market value, particularly in older neighborhoods. Filing a property tax appeal with your assessor's office is free and could reduce your annual bill measurably.
With a 15.8% rent-to-income ratio and median household income of $70,452—near the national $74,755—LaPorte County mirrors national affordability patterns. Monthly rents of $926 are moderate and manageable for the region.
Slightly above Indiana's average affordability
LaPorte County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio is marginally higher than Indiana's 15.6% state average, though its $926 median rent is only $43 above the state norm. This near-alignment ranks LaPorte as a typical Indiana county for housing costs.
Moderate costs in a diverse region
LaPorte County's $926 rent sits between affordable Knox County ($782) and pricier Johnson County ($1,208), offering a regional middle option. Its 15.8% rent-to-income ratio is competitive with nearby Kosciusko County's 16.1%.
Renters allocate 15.8% of income to rent, while homeowners spend roughly 16.2% on mortgages for a median home value of $180,700. This balanced burden allows reasonable discretionary spending.
LaPorte offers reliable, middle-ground housing
If you want predictable, near-average housing costs and incomes close to the national median, LaPorte County delivers stability. Weigh it against more affordable options like Lawrence County or pricier choices like Lake County based on your income expectations.
LaPorte County's median household income of $70,452 falls 5.8% short of the national median of $74,755, indicating slightly below-average earning power. Per capita income of $34,650 similarly trails national benchmarks, reflecting limited wealth accumulation.
Near Indiana average, but slightly lower
LaPorte County's median household income of $70,452 exceeds Indiana's state average of $68,681 by just 2.6%, placing it solidly in the middle tier statewide. The county performs modestly compared to Indiana's stronger counties but outpaces several struggling markets.
Mid-range income among regional counties
LaPorte County's $70,452 income trails LaGrange County ($83,741) by 16% but outperforms Knox County ($58,863) by 20%. The county sits near Lake County ($68,985) in regional income rankings, reflecting comparable economic conditions.
Housing affordability remains manageable
LaPorte County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% keeps housing costs within reasonable bounds, with a median home value of $180,700 accessible to local incomes. Households have moderate financial flexibility for other expenses and savings.
Start small, build steady in LaPorte
While household incomes run modestly below the national average, LaPorte County residents can build wealth through consistent, low-cost investing and automatic savings plans. Focus on employer-sponsored retirement plans and tax-advantaged accounts to maximize your earning years.
LaPorte County's life expectancy of 74.3 years falls 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.9 years. With 20.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national average and reflects a population under strain.
Below Indiana's health standard
LaPorte County's 74.3-year life expectancy trails Indiana's 75.1-year average by 0.8 years. The 20.3% poor/fair health rate places the county among lower performers in the state.
Regional health gaps visible
LaPorte County's 74.3-year life expectancy matches Lake County (74.3 years) but lags Johnson County (76.2 years) by 1.9 years. With only 37 primary care providers per 100,000, the county trails regional peers in access.
Adequate coverage, strained access
LaPorte County's 7.9% uninsured rate is near Indiana's average, showing decent coverage uptake. Yet the county offers only 37 primary care providers per 100,000—among the lowest in the region—straining access to routine care.
Maintain your coverage stability
LaPorte County's 7.9% uninsured rate is manageable, but ensuring continuous coverage protects against unexpected health costs. Review your plan at healthcare.gov and explore options if your current coverage has gaps.
LaPorte County scores 78.88 on the composite risk scale, rating as relatively low but standing 33.36 points above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This substantial elevation reflects meaningful hazard exposure across multiple natural disaster categories.
Among Indiana's higher-risk counties
LaPorte County ranks in Indiana's upper tier of risk exposure at 78.88, surpassed only by Lake County (95.93) in immediate regional comparison. The county faces above-average vulnerability across several hazard types typical of northern Indiana.
Substantially riskier than Lake peers
LaPorte County (78.88) faces notably higher risk than Kosciusko County (66.32) to the southeast and most of northern Indiana except Lake County (95.93). Its elevated score reflects particularly intense tornado and flooding exposure for the region.
Tornadoes dominate; flooding follows
Tornado risk at 92.56 represents LaPorte County's primary hazard—approaching Lake County's exceptional 99.14 score—while flooding at 74.62 poses the second major threat. Earthquake risk at 70.04 and wildfire exposure at 35.24 complete a diverse hazard profile.
Prioritize storm damage protection
LaPorte County homeowners should obtain comprehensive policies with explicit tornado, hail, and wind coverage given the near-extreme 92.56 tornado score. Flood insurance is also essential, particularly for properties in established drainage corridors or previously inundated areas.