countyscore
42.8
County Score
Lawn Care 66Income & Jobs 64.2Soil Quality 63.7

County Report Card

About LaPorte County, Indiana

Below the National Median

LaPorte County earns a composite score of 43.2, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This suggests the county has specific areas of development needed to compete on a national stage.

Seeking Parity with the State

The county's score of 43.2 sits more than 12 points below the Indiana state average of 55.9. It currently underperforms many of its state neighbors in several key livability categories.

Solid Incomes and Fair Taxes

Economic indicators are a bright spot, with an income score of 67.5 and a median household income of $70,452. A moderate tax score of 53.8 helps residents keep more of their earnings.

Infrastructure Gaps and Missing Data

Safety data is currently unavailable, making it difficult to assess community security. However, low scores in risk (21.1) and school performance (32.9) highlight clear areas for future improvement.

Best for Middle-Income Commuters

LaPorte County offers a decent economic base for middle-income workers who are less concerned with school rankings. It remains a work in progress as the county looks to modernize its public services.

2040608010053.536.347.432.964.221.143.153.8Tax53.5Cost36.3Safety—Health47.4Schools32.9Income64.2Risk21.1Water43.1Weather53.842.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

LaPorte County DNA

Foverall

How LaPorte County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

LaPorte County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (21.1/100), though Income (64.2/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.5
Cost
36.3-11.700000000000003
Health
47.4
Schools
32.9-21.1
Income
64.2+13.200000000000003
Risk
21.1-25.9
Water
43.1-14.899999999999999
Weather
53.8
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Compare mortgage rates in LaPorte County

Whether buying or refinancing in LaPorte County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$195,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$976/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$195,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,055/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare LaPorte County with Lee County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Lee County
Arkansas
Median income: $34,375
42.8
San Luis Obispo County
California
Median income: $97,446
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Arapahoe County
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Median income: $101,087
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Montrose County
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Median income: $72,120
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Citrus County
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Median income: $56,546
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Monroe County
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Median income: $65,868
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Tippecanoe County
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Median income: $60,636
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Cherokee County
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Median income: $57,668
42.8

Nearby counties

St. Joseph County
Indiana
41.2
Starke County
Indiana
58.5
Porter County
Indiana
49
Berrien County
Michigan
32.9
Marshall County
Indiana
57.5
Lake County
Indiana
34.3
Pulaski County
Indiana
65.8
Cass County
Michigan
40.6

Deep Dives

LaPorte County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in LaPorte County

via TaxByCounty

LaPorte County taxes above national norm

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in LaPorte County

via IncomeByCounty

LaPorte County modestly below national income

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Weather & Climate in LaPorte County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Than the National Median

LaPorte County has an annual average temperature of 49.6°F, placing it among the cooler regions in the United States. Its climate is defined by moderate precipitation and significant seasonal variation.

One of Indiana’s Chillier Counties

The county averages 2.6 degrees cooler than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. It ranks as one of the northernmost climate zones in the state.

Heavier Snowfall Than Western Neighbors

While temperatures mirror Lake County, LaPorte receives much more snow at 46.8 inches annually. This is nearly 20 inches more than its neighbor to the west.

Significant Snow and Mild Summers

Winter is intense with 46.8 inches of snowfall and average lows of 23.8°F in January. July stays comfortable with only 14 days of extreme heat over 90°F.

Invest in Heavy Snow Equipment

Residents need heavy-duty snow removal tools to manage the high annual snowfall. Proper home weatherization is essential for the 26.9°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in LaPorte County

via SoilByCounty

The Intense Acidity of LaPorte Mollisols

LaPorte County features Mollisols with an exceptionally low average pH of 4.85. This makes it one of the most acidic counties in the state, falling far below the national median of 6.5.

A Gritty Loam with High Porosity

The soil composition is 40.4% sand and 27.2% silt, resulting in a loam that is easy to till. With only 9.9% clay, the soil lacks the heavy stickiness found in central Indiana, allowing for excellent root penetration.

Indiana's Leader in Organic Matter

Organic matter reaches a massive 17.14%, the highest in this group and nearly four times the state average. This richness combined with an above-average water capacity of 0.208 in/in makes for incredibly productive land.

Navigating Very Poorly Drained Terrain

The county is classified as very poorly drained and sits in the B/D hydrologic group. These soils are often saturated, meaning that any construction or farming requires serious attention to water management and drainage systems.

The Berry Capital of the Region

The 6a zone and high acidity are perfect for blueberries, which require a low pH to thrive. If you are starting a garden, leverage the high organic matter to grow lush, vibrant crops that love moist environments.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in LaPorte County

via LawnByCounty

High Soil Acidity Challenges Local Lawns

LaPorte County has a lawn difficulty score of 66.0, indicating it is one of the more challenging areas in Indiana. The primary hurdle for homeowners in this 6a hardiness zone is overcoming significantly poor soil conditions.

Cool Climates and Moderate Rain

The county enjoys a cool growing environment with only 14 extreme heat days and 40.3 inches of rain. These conditions are typically perfect for grass, but the 2,998 growing degree days mean a shorter window for grass to mature.

Addressing Very Poorly Drained Loam

The soil pH is a very low 4.85, which is far too acidic for healthy grass without heavy liming. Combined with very poorly drained loam and 40.4% sand, this soil requires professional-grade amendments to support a lush lawn.

Temporary Relief from Dry Conditions

There is currently no drought in LaPorte County, though the region experienced 12 weeks of dry conditions last year. Because the drainage is so poor, homeowners should be careful not to overwater, as standing water can drown grass roots.

Target the Late Spring Window

The frost-free season starts late on April 29 and lasts until October 27. Focus on Creeping Red Fescue, which can tolerate the higher acidity and moisture fluctuations common in LaPorte's unique loamy soil.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LaPorte County's county score?
LaPorte County, Indiana has a composite county score of 42.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does LaPorte County rank among counties in Indiana?
LaPorte County ranks #80 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in LaPorte County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in LaPorte County is $1,503, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns LaPorte County a tax score of 53.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in LaPorte County?
The median household income in LaPorte County, Indiana is $71,055 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. LaPorte County earns an income score of 64.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is LaPorte County, Indiana a good place to live?
LaPorte County scores 42.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #80 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate LaPorte County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare LaPorte County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.