Portage, IN Demographics

A map of Portage's Population by Race

Portage, Indiana has an estimated population of 38,082, a less than 1% change from the 37,926 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.8% White, 21.3% Hispanic, 9.3% Black, 2.7% Multiracial, 1.2% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Portage, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Portage has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Indiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Portage, that probability was 54.2% in 2020 and 52.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Portage is ranked the 24th most populous place in Indiana, out of 976 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Portage was ranked the 24th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Portage's White Population

24,693 residents of Portage, or 64.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Portage is considerably lower than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. Portage ranks 671st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's White population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of Portage's population has increased from 63.8% to 64.8%.

Portage is more White than neighboring Lake Station (59.1% White). Portage is less White than neighboring Ogden Dunes (81.3% White), Burns Harbor (74.9% White), South Haven (81.3% White), and Wheeler (100% White).

Portage's Black Population

3,546 residents of Portage, or 9.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. Portage ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Black population has declined by an estimated 16.7%. Black residents' share of Portage's population has decreased from 11.2% to 9.3%.

Portage is more Black than neighboring Ogden Dunes (3.2% Black), Burns Harbor (1.5% Black), South Haven (3.3% Black), Wheeler (0% Black), and Lake Station (2.5% Black).

Portage's Asian Population

474 residents of Portage, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Portage ranks 134th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Asian population has grown by an estimated 27.1%. Asian residents' share of Portage's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Portage is more Asian than neighboring Wheeler (0% Asian). Portage is less Asian than neighboring Ogden Dunes (1.4% Asian), Burns Harbor (3.6% Asian), South Haven (1.4% Asian), and Lake Station (1.4% Asian).

Portage's Hispanic Population

8,124 residents of Portage, or 21.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Portage is considerably higher than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. Portage ranks 26th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Portage's population has increased from 19.0% to 21.3%.

Portage is more Hispanic than neighboring Ogden Dunes (11.3% Hispanic), Burns Harbor (18.7% Hispanic), South Haven (11.7% Hispanic), and Wheeler (0% Hispanic). Portage is less Hispanic than neighboring Lake Station (32.8% Hispanic).

Portage's Native American/Other Population

201 residents of Portage, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Portage ranks 242nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Portage's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Portage is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ogden Dunes (0% Native American/Other), South Haven (0% Native American/Other), Wheeler (0% Native American/Other), and Lake Station (0% Native American/Other). Portage is less Native American/Other than neighboring Burns Harbor (0.9% Native American/Other).

Portage's Multiracial Population

1,044 residents of Portage, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Portage ranks 177th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 37.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Portage's population has decreased from 4.4% to 2.7%.

Portage is more Multiracial than neighboring Burns Harbor (0.3% Multiracial), South Haven (2.2% Multiracial), and Wheeler (0% Multiracial). Portage is less Multiracial than neighboring Lake Station (4.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.