Wealth Index
Wealthier than 90% of counties in Indiana
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Porter County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $85,552 | $70,132 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,007 | $56,502 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.6% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Porter County is about 22% higher than in Indiana. Income has been growing slower in Porter County (4.0%/yr) than in Indiana (4.8%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Porter County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Indiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Porter County, Indiana grew by 40.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $85,552 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Porter County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Porter County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.570 | 0.544 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $77,577 | $63,558 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,481 | $49,036 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 33.6% | 22.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Porter County, it is 0.570, higher than Indiana's 0.544, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 51% more than women's income in Porter County, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 51% wage gap accumulates to roughly $913,360 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Porter County, Indiana has narrowed from about 41% to 34% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,405 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Porter County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.7% | 9.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 3,908 people are unemployed in Porter County, Indiana.
The average commute time in Porter County is 23 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Porter County, Indiana has fallen from 7.7% to 4.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Porter County, Indiana has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Indiana, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Porter County, Indiana.
How Rich Is Porter County, Indiana?
Porter County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $85,552, about 22% higher than the Indiana average of $70,132.
What is the current median household income in Porter County, Indiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Porter County, Indiana is $85,552.
What was the median household income in Porter County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Porter County, Indiana was $85,552.
What was the median household income in Porter County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Porter County, Indiana was $72,526.
What is the Gini coefficient in Porter County, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Porter County is 0.570. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Porter County, Indiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Porter County, Indiana has narrowed from about 41% to 34% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,405 since 2009.