Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is located in northwestern Indiana, along the shores of Lake Michigan. Indiana Dunes National Park is the county’s jewel, and people love climbing its massive sand dunes.
The county also features a mix of small towns, including Valparaiso, which is home to Valparaiso University and a lively downtown area. Head north to Portage or Chesterton, and you’ll find a more suburban atmosphere.
It’s a place of stark contrasts, where steel mills share the lakefront with pristine beaches. But Porter County isn’t all lakefront—the southern part is mostly classic Indiana farmland.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Porter County |
| County Seat | Valparaiso |
| Etymology | Named after Commodore David Porter, a naval hero of the War of 1812 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, Hebron, Burns Harbor, Ogden Dunes, Kouts, Dune Acres, Beverly Shores |
| Interstates and Highways | I-80, I-90 (Indiana Toll Road), I-94, US-6, US-12, US-20, IN-2, IN-49, IN-130 |
| FIPS Code | 18-127 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 521 square miles (Land: 418 sq mi, Water: 103 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | LaPorte County (East), Starke County (Southeast), Jasper County (South), Lake County (West), Cook County, Illinois (Northwest), Berrien County, Michigan (Northeast) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | 175,000 (estimated) |
| State | Indiana |
| Coordinates | 41.5200° N, 87.0548° W |
| Major Landmarks | Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, Taltree Arboretum and Gardens, Porter County Courthouse |
TRANSPORTATION MAP
Porter County Road Map
Flat plains cover much of the county, while sand dunes line the Lake Michigan shoreline. The southern areas are mostly level, while the northern lakeshore features rolling dunes and wetlands. I-80 and I-94 are the main highways in Porter County.
SATELLITE IMAGERY
Porter County Satellite Map
The Indiana Dunes stand out as light-colored sandy areas along the blue lake. Farther south, scattered towns are surrounded by farmland, while the intersecting highways create straight lines across the landscape.
OUTLINE MAP
Porter County Blank Map
The county has an irregular shape that narrows toward the south. Lake Michigan forms its entire northern border, while the Kankakee River defines its southern edge. It does not touch any other states but lies close to Illinois to the west.
Indiana County Maps
Indiana County Map
Explore the Hoosier State, home to 92 counties filled with scenic backroads, impressive skyline views, and charming small towns. Think of this as your glovebox passport to Indiana, guiding you to classic diner pies, covered bridges, and stunning Lake Michigan sunsets.