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Valpo Facts & Figures
Valparaiso Facts & Figures
• Valparaiso, Valpo to locals, is the county seat of Porter County in Northwest Indiana. • According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population in 2018 was 33,729, an increase of 1,103 people since 2015. • Median household income 2013-2017 was $52,507. • Persons in poverty is 13.6 percent according to the US Census Bureau, 2013-2017. • Valparaiso was included in a purchase of land by the United States Government from the Potowatami Indians in 1832. • Valparaiso means “Valley of Paradise” in old Spanish. It was once called Portersville, established in 1836, and was renamed in 1837, after David Porter, the county’s namesake, fought in the Battle of Valparaiso during the War of 1812. It is named after the city of the same name in Chile. • Valparaiso sits on the site of the Sauk Trail, which ran from Rock Island, Illinois, through northwest Indiana to Detroit, Michigan. • Valparaiso has a mayor and a seven person city council representing five districts with two at-large seats. • Valparaiso is home to Valparaiso University, founded in 1859. It is also home to a branch of Ivy Tech State College. • Valparaiso is a transportation hub, located midway between Chicago and South Bend with access to the South Shore rail line, ChicaGo Dash and its own V-Line bus system. It is situated along US Hwy. 30, State Road 49 and State Road 2. • Lincoln Highway, US 30, was the first coast to coast roadway in the country. Valparaiso became part of that route. A marker designating such (pictured) sits in front of city hall.
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According to the American Community Survey 2014-2018 five year estimates: • The median value of owner-occupied housing units is $175,100. The median selected monthly owner costs – with mortgage is $1,325. • Number of households: 14,085 with 2.31 persons per household. • Per capita income in 2017 dollars is $29,067. • Education in Valparaiso, according to the US Census Bureau of Education: High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, (2014-2018) is 94.7 percent, Bachelor’s Degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+ (2013-2017) is 39.5 percent. • In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, (2013-2017) is 60.8 percent. In civilian labor force,
without health insurance: 7.5% • Male median income: $40,790 • Female median income: $19,582. female, percent of population age 16 years+, (2010-2014) is 55 percent. • Total accommodation and food service sales 2012 $107,638. • Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 is $313,333 • Total retail sales per capita, 2012 is $26,695. • The number of veterans living in Valparaiso in 2019 was 1,528. • Percentage of persons living in poverty: 12.9%, persons
