Portage
RANK #179 / 996 NAT · #11 / 28 IN · POP 272,388
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
The University of Notre Dame, with its iconic Golden Dome, is a central feature of St. Joseph County, Indiana, often the first thing locals mention. Located in north-central Indiana, the county seat, South Bend, is approximately 96 miles east of Chicago, with commuter rail service available to downtown Chicago from South Bend International Airport. The community offers a blend of urban amenities in South Bend and Mishawaka, alongside quieter rural towns like New Carlisle and Walkerton. The St. Joseph River, which gives the county its name, flows through the area, contributing to the natural scenery and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like paddling and hiking in parks such as St. Patrick's County Park. Life in St. Joseph County offers a balance of educational opportunities and a developing economy. The area is home to several higher education institutions, including the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University–South Bend, and Saint Mary's College. The economy is experiencing growth, particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Recent developments indicate investment in large-scale projects, including manufacturing and data centers, contributing to job creation and economic activity.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Data Center Campus (New Carlisle)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$11,000M | Under Construction |
|
GM-Samsung SDI EV Battery Plant (New Carlisle)
General Motors & Samsung SDI
|
$3,500M | Under Construction |
|
Microsoft Data Center (Granger)
Microsoft
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
St. Joseph Energy Center (Natural Gas Power Plant)
Wabash Valley Power Alliance and Hoosier Energy (formerly Ares Management, KPIC USA, Toyota Tsusho)
|
$700M | Operating |
|
Honeysuckle Solar Project
Lightsource BP
|
$165M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Joseph County ranks #179 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $61,877 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, St. Joseph County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $165,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $969/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in St. Joseph County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.1%. Home values shifted +3.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 2.0% of St. Joseph County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.