Valparaiso at a Glance

The amenities of the City of Valparaiso include the nationally acclaimed Valparaiso University, which has repeatedly been rated a top university in the Midwest. The Valparaiso Community School system also is rated one of the best. Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana University campuses are close by.

The city also offers competitive outpatient health care, up-to-date hospital facilities, and an outstanding system of local parks with programs for all ages.

Twenty minutes to the north of the city is Lake Michigan with state and national parks, and passenger service via train to Chicago and South Bend.

Quick Facts

Mayor: Jonathon Costas
Population: 30,622 (2009)
Location: Northwest Indiana
Geographic Area: 11 square miles
County: Porter
Townships: Center and Washington
Nearest Major Cities: Chicago, 55 miles; Indianapolis, 158 miles; Detroit, 237 miles

City Seal

Valparaiso City Seal The sight of rolling hills topped with trees and surrounded by rich, fertile farm lands, in the Vale of Paradise, inspired the use of green as the principal color of the first flag for the city of Valparaiso. The purity of white was used to signify a deeply religious City, once called the "City of Churches". Gold, the trim color, indicated the quality of schooling, community life, and government the citizens of Valparaiso strive to maintain.

Climate & Weather

Average annual daily temperature: 49.7° F
Coldest Month: January (average high: 30°F; average low: 15° F)
Warmest Month: July (average high: 83°F; average low: 63° F)
Prevailing Wind Direction: Westerly
Elevation: 640 sq ft
Average annual precipitation: Rainfall: 39.8”; Snowfall: 54.5”

Housing Statistics

for Valparaiso/Center Township (Calendar Year 2008)

Median Home Price (sold): $185,350
Average Listing Price: $216,043
Average Sold Price: $206,314

Demographics

Valparaiso Census 2000

Ages

Median Age: 32.7
Persons under 18: 5,814
Persons 18-64: 18,034
Persons 65 & over: 3,580

Income & Household Data

Per capita income: $22,509
Persons below poverty: 2,258
Households: 10,867
Median household income: $45,799
Persons/household: 2.27

Income & Family Data

Families: 6,364
Median family income: $60,637
Families below poverty: 308

Housing

Housing units (H.U.): 11,559
Owner-occupied H.U.: 5,992
Renter-occupied H.U.: 4,875

Education

With H.S. education: 91.6%
Bachelors degree or higher 34.5%

Taxes

City Rate: $0.9866
Total Gross 2010 Tax Rate: $2.2199
Year Payable: 2010
CEDIT rate: .50%
Tax Abatement: Yes
Foreign Trade Zone: Yes
Retail: 7.0%

Transportation

Municipal Airport

Porter County Municipal Airport
4207 Murvihill Road, Valparaiso • (219) 462-6508 • 800-462-6508 • www.vpz.org

2 runways, charter service available
Elevation 771'
East/West Runway 09/27 7,000' x 150' (weight bearing capacity 250,000 lbs. dual wheel/375,000 lbs. dual tandem)
North/South Runway 18/36 4,000' x 75' (weight capacity 30,000 lbs. single/45,000 lbs. dual)

Nearest Major Airports

O’Hare International Airport, Chicago – 50 miles
Midway Airport, Chicago – 75 miles
Michiana Regional Airport, South Bend – 50 miles
Gary/Chicago International Airport, Gary – 25 miles

Highways Serving the Area

US Highways 30, 20, 6
State Roads 2, 12, 49 Bypass, 130
Interstate Highways 65, 80, 90, 94

Commuter Train

South Shore Line Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District: www.nictd.com

Commuter Bus

ChicaGO DASH express service to Chicago • (877) 746-3274 • www.chicagodash.com
V-Line Public Transit Service • (219) 476-9393 • www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/v-line/

Porter County Facts

Porter County is comprised of 12 Townships: Boone, Center, Jackson, Liberty, Morgan, Pine, Pleasant, Portage, Porter, Union, Washington and Westchester