Portage, Indiana
Portage, Indiana | ||
---|---|---|
Township Portage | | |
Government | ||
• Type | Strong Mayor-Council | |
• Mayor | Austin Bonta (R) | |
• Clerk-Treasurer | Elizabeth Modesto (D) | |
• City Council | ||
Area FIPS code | 18-61092[3] | |
GNIS feature ID | 2396254[2] | |
Website | http://www.ci.portage.in.us |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1950 | 2,116 | — | |
1960 | 11,822 | 458.7% | |
1970 | 19,127 | 61.8% | |
1980 | 27,409 | 43.3% | |
1990 | 29,060 | 6.0% | |
2000 | 33,496 | 15.3% | |
2010 | 36,828 | 9.9% | |
2020 | 37,926 | 3.0% | |
Source: US Census Bureau |
Portage (/ˈpɔːrtɪdʒ/ POR-tij) is a city in Portage Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana,[2] on the border with Lake County. The population was 37,926 as of the 2020 census. It is the largest city in Porter County, and third largest in Northwest Indiana.
History
Pre-European settlement
Prior to European settlement, Native Americans lived in Northwest Indiana.
Early explorers and settlers
Jacques Marquette, Louis Jolliet, Louis Hennepin or François Pétis de la Croix may have explored the area.[4] Potawatomi chief, Leopold Pokagon, encouraged his tribe to sell tribal lands to European settlers. In 1812, Garyton became one of the first communities in Portage Township.[5]
Samuel Putnam Robbins was among the first settlers, coming from Hocking County, Ohio, and he settled near modern-day Robbins Road between McCool Road and Indiana Highway 149. In 1834, Joseph Wolf squatted on land currently near the modern-day community of South Haven[4] and operated dairy and beef farms there.[6] Other early settlers included Berret Door, Reuben Hurlburt, Wilford Parrott, the Spurloch brothers, William McCool, Benjamin James (and his son, Allen James), and William Holmes. Jacob Blake arrived in Portage in 1833.[4][5][7]
Early communities
Before Portage became a town, it consisted primarily of three separate communities in addition to much farmland. They were named McCool, Crisman and Garyton. In 1950, those communities only had 2,116 residents.
Railroads
Portage Township was primarily a farming community until railroad development began in the 1850s and 1860s. The first railroad to build in the area was the Michigan Central, completed in 1852. The Michigan Central connected Detroit to Chicago. This enabled local farmers to easily ship livestock, dairy and crops to Chicago and any other stop along the way. It was a boon to the farmers of the area at the time and enabled them to buy more land for farming.[6] The Michigan Central was later bought by the New York Central Railroad.[5]
The next railroad to build through the Portage area was the Baltimore and Ohio in 1874. This railroad crossed the Michigan Central at Willow Creek, near the village of Crisman. The Willow Creek Confrontation occurred in 1874, when the Michigan Central refused to allow the Baltimore and Ohio to cross its track. The situation was eventually resolved peacefully, and a crossing was made.[6][8] Sand was also an industry in Portage due to demand in the growing city of Chicago. The railroads enabled sand to be delivered to Chicago more efficiently.
Depression era and the world wars
Between the 1870s and the depression era, Portage did not grow very much. It has been estimated that between 1880 and 1950, the growth rate averaged only about 64 people per year. This is despite the growth of towns to the west such as
Like many communities in the country, World War I and World War II affected the economy of Portage in a big way. Steel mills geared into high production and labor was in high demand, thus drawing many people to the area.[6]
Post-World War II
After the war, the economy remained strong because of the high demand for automobiles and appliances, for both of which the steel was produced at the steel mills. The population of post-war Portage grew very quickly. In the early 1950s, people came from Kentucky, southern Indiana and Illinois. Most were seeking the steady salary available in the steel mills and related industries.
In 1959, Portage was incorporated as a town. Ogden Dunes and South Haven were excluded because the residents of these areas did not wish to be included in the town. Due to the surge of population after the war, many farmers were selling land to be subdivided into lots for families to build homes. In 1967, Portage officially became a city. During the 1950s and 1960s, the city of Gary began to experience white flight. Portage saw an influx of white residents from Gary seeking to escape racial integration.[6]
Portage is still a heavily industrial city. While primarily dependent on the steel industry, the 1980s brought a decline in the steel industry. As a result, C.O.I.L. (the Community Organization on Industrial Location) was formed. This organization promotes diversified industry in the area. They have had part in developing the Coca-Cola bottling plant and further development of the Port of Indiana. Very few farms are still active in the Portage area. However, many original descendants of founding families are still in the area.[6]
Portage has seen many new green technology industries locate to the community since the early 2000s including Fronius USA. In 2016, the City opened a new police station and Fire Station in the downtown corridor. The new police station is triple the size of the former station on Irving Street.[citation needed]
Politics
Name | Term | Party | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Arthur Olson | 1968-1972 | Democrat | |
Robert Goin | 1972-1980 | Republican | |
John Williams | 1980-1984 | Democrat | |
Robert Goin | 1984-1988 | Republican | |
Samuel Maletta | 1988-2000 | Democrat | |
Doug Olson | 2000-2008 | Democrat | Son of Portage's first mayor. |
Olga Velazquez | 2008-2012 | Democrat | |
James Snyder | 2012-2019* | Republican | In early 2019 Snyder was convicted of felony charges, causing him to vacate office.[9] |
John Cannon | 2019-2020* | Republican | In March 2019 Cannon won the Republican caucus and became mayor for the remainder of Snyder's elected term.[10] |
Suzanne Lynch | 2020–2024 | Democrat | |
Austin Bonta | 2024–Present | Republican |
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Portage has a total area of 27.614 square miles (71.52 km2), of which 25.63 square miles (66.38 km2) (or 92.82%) is land and 1.984 square miles (5.14 km2) (or 7.18%) is water.[11]
Demographics
2010 census
As of the
There were 13,992 households, of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the city was 36.4 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 12,746 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,500, and the median income for a family was $54,316. Males had a median income of $46,224 versus $25,428 for females. The
Transportation
The commercial airport nearest Portage is the
Coach USA's Airport SuperSaver service stopped at Central & Irving intersection, connecting Portage to Chicago's airports and several other North Indiana cities and town. Riders used to take westbound buses to Highland, Crestwood and O'Hare and Midway Airport and eastbound buses to Michigan City, South Bend and Notre Dame. Buses ran between Westbound buses ran every hour. Eastbound buses to Michigan City ran every hour while eastbound buses to South Bend and Notre Dame ran every two hours. Coach USA ceased all operations of its Indiana Airport SuperSaver service effective January 1, 2020.[13]
Portage is also connected to
Portage is intersected by several major highways, including
Also located on the shores of Lake Michigan is the Port of Indiana.
Education
Public schools
The Portage Township School system comprises 11 public schools: 8 elementary schools (grades K–5), 2 middle schools (grades 6–8), and one senior high school (grades 9–12). Portage Township Schools is an Indiana Exemplary District and has two Four Star schools in the district.[14]
Elementary Schools | Middle Schools | Senior High School |
---|---|---|
Aylesworth | Fegely | Portage High School |
Central | Willowcreek | |
Crisman | ||
Jones | ||
Kyle | ||
Myers | ||
Saylor | ||
South Haven |
Private schools
There are two private schools in Portage:
- Portage Christian School – A Christian school servicing children in grades Pre-K–12
- Nativity of Our Savior School – A Roman Catholic school servicing children in grades Pre-K–8
There was a third private school, Maranatha Christian Academy, but it is now closed.[15]
Public library
Portage has a public library, a branch of the Porter County Public Library System.[16]
Local media
Newspapers
- The Times of Northwest Indiana (or NWI Times), was founded in 1906 and is the second largest of Indiana's 76 daily newspapers. [1][permanent dead link]
- The Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana was founded in 1907, serving the Northwest Indiana region. The Post-Tribune is owned by the Sun Times Media Group. [2][permanent dead link]
Magazines
- Shore Magazine is a magazine produced by the NWI Times, which also produces ShoreLines, a weekly newsletter.
Websites
- PortageLife.com, a website launched in early 2010, which publishes information about community and city events and initiatives for Portage, Indiana. [3]
- Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce Website is a website provided by the Greater Portage Chamber of commerce for residents living, visiting, or moving to Portage. [4]
Notable people
- Len Clark, Ph.D. (born 1964), Sports journalist and educator. ‘Indiana Sportscaster of the Year’ and the National Powerade Winner for ‘Best audio Package,’ from the National Sports Media Association. Recipient of the ‘Sagamore of the Wabash’ in 1996.
- Darren Elkins (born 1984), Indiana State Champion wrestler; professional mixed martial artist for the UFC's Featherweight Division
- Gable Steveson (born 2000), professional wrestler and former freestyle wrestler
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Portage, Indiana
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Dorris, Joyce. "Weaving the Past into the Future." Steel Shavings Volume 20 (1991): 3
- ^ a b c Norman, Dennis, and James Wright. Images of America Portage Township. Chicago: Arcadia, 2003.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sawochka, Bruce. "Portage in Three Stages of its Growth." Steel Shavings Volume 20 (1991): 4-6
- ^ Other early settler names include Blake, Palmer, Summer, Ritter, Curtis, Peck, Hurl, Lenburg, Fifield, Crisman, Krieger, Nicholson, Samuelson, Swanson, Lute, and Hamstrom.
- ^ "Willow Creek Confrontation". Indiana Historical Bureau - Historical Markers. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ [email protected], 219-548-4352, Joyce Russell (February 14, 2019). "UPDATE: Felony bribery conviction knocks Portage mayor out of office". nwitimes.com. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Portage councilman John Cannon tapped as new mayor after city's previous leader convicted of bribery". Chicago Tribune. March 2, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Portage Township Schools / Overview". portage.k12.in.us. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ "PORTAGE IN Private Schools". allprivateschools.org. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ "Locations". Porter County Public Library System. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.