Community Profile
The Duneland communities are located in northwest Indiana on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Approximately 33,500 people live in the Duneland communities, while the area within a 15-mile radius Porter County is home to 146,798 residents. (Population statistics provided by the 2000 U.S. Census.)

Location
Proximity to Chicago (45 miles) and access to major transportation arteries are attractive to businesses and residents alike. One can work and live in a suburban setting with a modest tax structure.

Residential
In the Duneland area the median price of a home in 2002 was $158,000, as compared to the national median cost of a home at $158,300.

Recreation
Visitors come hundreds of miles to enjoy what we have at our doorstep – 10,000 acres of State and National Parks in the sand dues of Lake Michigan. Golfing, boating, sport fishing, sailing, canoeing, bicycling, backpacking, hang gliding, hiking, horseback riding, downhill and cross country skiing, camping, and swimming are all here to enjoy. Lodging and dining facilities offer a wide variety of choices to residents and visitors.

Other Features
Four hospitals are within ten minutes of the Duneland community. In addition, outstanding health club facilities, clinics and extended care facilities are located throughout the community. Two public libraries and a modern YMCA are available. Most major service organizations and religious denominations are also represented.

Labor Force
The Duneland area provides new and existing businesses with a productive, well-trained, dependable labor force of skilled and unskilled workers, professional, and craftsmen. (The following statistics provided by the 2000 U.S. Census.)

Porter County Labor Demographics
Total Population: 146,798
Median Age: 36
Median Household Income: $52,733
Median Family Income: $61,880
Total Labor Force: 73,940
Employed: 70,170
Unemployed: 3,770
%Unemployed: 5.1

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 22,493
Service Occupations: 10,336
Sales and Office Occupations: 18,247
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 102
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 9,854
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 12,791
Total All Occupations: 73,823

Industry Breakdown
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining: 294
Construction: 5,574
Manufacturing: 15,963
Wholesale trade: 2,085
Retail trade: 8,668
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities: 4,371
Information: 1,398
Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing: 3,526
Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services: 5,301
Educational, health and social services: 15,184
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services: 6,170
Other services (except public administration): 3,182
Public administration: 2,107
Total All Industries: 73,823

Wages
Our diversified labor force is cost effective, providing the new or existing business yet another advantage over its competition located in higher wage areas. Across all industries, the community wage average is $32,150.

Workman’s Compensation
Indiana employers benefit from one of the lowest workman’s compensation insurance rates in the country.

Unemployment Compensation
Indiana's unemployment tax is also among the lowest in the nation. Currently the tax is assessed on the first $7,000 of wages at a maximum rate of 2.7%, giving Indiana employers a competitive edge over those in neighboring states. All employers will pay this rate for the first three years. Then the rate can be as low as 0.1%, depending upon charges and credits against the unemployment fund.

Job Training
Indiana Skills 2016 provides numerous workforce training programs and grants that are available to Indiana businesses.

(16) Work One Centers across the state provide skills assessment and training. Additionally, The Center for Workforce Innovation provides assistance to Porter County employers and residents. Phone: (219) 462-2940

CHESTERTON (10,488 population)
Retail and service center with craft shops, art galleries, antique and boutique stores with numerous community parks.

Median Household Income: $55,530
Median Family Income: $66,239
Total Labor Force: 5,699
Employed: 5,500
Unemployed: 199
%Unemployed: 3.5

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 2,208
Service Occupations: 600
Sales and Office Occupations: 1,330
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 9
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 597
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 756
Total All Occupations: 5,500

PORTER (4,972 population)
A town rich with natural resources. Throughout the season, visitors flock to Porter Beach and adjacent Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana National Lakeshore to enjoy the many amenities of this lakefront community.

Median Household Income: $50,625
Median Family Income: $60,254
Total Labor Force: 2,671
Employed: 2,525
Unemployed: 146
%Unemployed: 5.5

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 742
Service Occupations: 349
Sales and Office Occupations: 680
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 0
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 381
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 373
Total All Occupations: 2,525

BURNS HARBOR (766 population)
Duneland's industrial core with diverse industrial businesses. A quaint lakefront community that maintains a rural atmosphere.

Median Household Income: $53,929
Median Family Income: $57,188
Total Labor Force: 432
Employed: 419
Unemployed: 13
%Unemployed: 3.0

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 59
Service Occupations: 89
Sales and Office Occupations: 83
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 0
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 71
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 117
Total All Occupations: 419

BEVERLY SHORES (708 population)
Upscale metropolitan residential community located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

Median Household Income: $59,107
Median Family Income: $81,203
Total Labor Force: 387
Employed: 383
Unemployed: 4
%Unemployed: 1.0

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 200
Service Occupations: 42
Sales and Office Occupations: 87
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 0
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 21
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 33
Total All Occupations: 383

DUNE ACRES (213 population)
Upscale metropolitan residential community located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

Median Household Income: $94,843
Median Family Income: $102,524
Total Labor Force: 106
Employed: 105
Unemployed: 1
%Unemployed: 0.9

Occupation Breakdown
Management, Professional and Related Occupations: 68
Service Occupations: 4
Sales and Office Occupations: 25
Farming, Fishing and Forestry: 0
Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance Occupations: 4
Production, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: 4
Total All Occupations: 105