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Definition of "LaPorte" means "the door" in French. It was called this by the French Fur Traders who came here in the 1600s. They found a natural opening in the forests which lead to the prairies beyond, so they called this opening LaPorte. County Seat: LaPorte Founded: 1832 Size: 608 square miles Elevation: 700 to 850 feet on average The highest point in La Porte County is 957 feet above sea level. It is located on a knoll east of Lambs Chapel in Galena Township, about 6.5 miles north of the city of LaPorte. The lowest point in the county is 581 feet above sea level. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. Time Zone: Central Standard Time, changing to Central Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Climate: Lake Michigan has a strong influence on the climate of LaPorte County. Temperatures in January range from a low of 15 degrees to a high of 32 degrees. Temperatures in July range from a low of 61 degrees to a high of 85 degrees. The average annual precipitation is 40 to 45 inches, which is high for this part of the state. The average annual snowfall accumulations are the state's highest, from 45 to 75 inches! Nickname for LaPorte city: The Maple City. It is called this for the maple trees which line the streets. These trees were planted as early as the 1850s and 1860s. The trees along Michigan and Indiana Avenues are an especially spectacular sight in the fall. |
| Census Year | LaPorte (City) | LaPorte County |
|---|---|---|
|
1970 |
22,140 |
105,342 |
|
1980 |
21,796 |
108,632 |
|
1990
|
21,507
|
107,066
|
|
2000 |
24,405 |
110,106 |
| Location: Located west of South Bend, on the Michigan border, with its northwestern boundaries on the shores of Lake Michigan. La Porte County is intersected by Interstate Highways 80, 90, 94, and US Highway 30. |
| City | Distance from LaPorte |
|---|---|
|
Indianapolis, IN |
140 Miles |
|
Detroit, MI |
207 Miles |
|
Chicago, IL |
63 Miles |
|
Toledo, OH |
174 Miles |
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Orchards: La Porte County has over 20 orchards in which to pick fresh produce such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apples, and Christmas trees. Economy: The primary industries in La Porte County are: manufacturing/distribution, retail/service, and government. There is also agriculture, construction, mining, tourism, transportation/public utilities, and finance/insurance/real estate. |
