NORTHWEST INDIANA PROFILE - 2012 QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS REPORT A PUBLICATION OF ONE REGION
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2012 QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS REPORT
SeCOND pRINTINg
NOVeMBeR 2012
NORThWeST
INDIANA pROFIle
A PUBLICATION OF ONE REGION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
• Leigh Morris, Northwest Indiana Regional 04 INTRODUCTION
Development Authority, Co-Chair
• Thomas Keon, Chancellor, Purdue
University Calumet, Co-Chair
04 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Denise Dillard, Methodist Hospitals
• Lincoln Ellis, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana
• Ric Frataccia, Portage Township Schools
• Lou Martinez, Lake Area United Way
• Mark Reshkin, Ph. D., Professor INDICATORS
Emeritus, IU Northwest
• Kris Pate, United Way of La Porte County
• Linda Satkoski, IU Health La Porte Hospital 07 PEOPLE
PROjECT SPONSORS
• Calumet College of St. Joseph
11 ECONOMY
• John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
• Indiana University Northwest 16 ENVIRONMENT
• Ivy Tech Community College
• Purdue University Calumet
• Purdue University North Central 22 TRANSPORTATION
• Valparaiso University
OFFICERS
27 EDUCATION
• Bill Masterson Jr., The Times
Media Co., Co-Chairman 32 HEALTH
• William Lowe, Indiana University
Northwest, Co-Chairman
• Barb Young, Porter County Community
38 PUBLIC SAFETY
Foundation, Secretary
• David Bochnowski, Peoples Bank, Treasurer
• Leigh Morris, Northwest Indiana
44 HOUSING
Regional Development Authority,
Research Committee, Chairperson
• Kris Krouse, Shirley Heinze Land Trust,
50 CULTURE
Program Committee, Chairperson
56 GOVERNMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Mike Finissi, NIPSCO
• Mark Maassel, Northwest Indiana Forum
• Danita Johnson Hughes, Edgewater Systems
• Lou Martinez, Lake Area United Way
61 FINAL ANALYSIS
• Jon Costas, Mayor, City of Valparaiso
• Karen Freeman-Wilson, Mayor, City of Gary
• Bill Joiner, Northwest Indiana Regional
63 APPENDICES
Development Authority
• Barbara Eason-Watkins, Michigan City Area Schools
• Bill Nangle, The Times Media Co.
METHODOLOGY
FURTHER QUESTIONS
DATA RESOURCES
All photos are courtesy of The Times Media Company.
2
GREETINGS
I
am pleased to present you with also want to thank Ben Cunningham and his
the 2012 Quality of Life Indicators staff at the Times for their efforts in creating
Report. It comes to you from the layout for this publication. Finally, this
One Region, the new organization publication would not exist were it not for
that resulted from the merger of the financial support provided by the John S.
the former Northwest Indiana and James L. Knight Foundation, represented
Quality of Life Council and the by Harry J. Vande Velde III of the Legacy
One Region, One Vision initiative Foundation.
undertaken by The Times Media Co. In the coming weeks we will conduct a
This report is the result of more than a number of community conversations regard-
year of careful analysis of data from a variety ing the data presented in this 2012 report. I
of sources. As many of you will remember, urge you to participate in one or more of these
similar reports were published in 2000, 2004 conversations, which will be held throughout
and 2008. This 2012 report reflects back Lake, Porter and La Porte counties.
on those earlier documents, in which the In addition, I am pleased with the progress
Quality of Life Council struggled to refine the being made at One Region. Our action
nature of the indicators and the data points projects are all well underway as we attempt
that best characterize them. It offers a cur- to identify specific approaches to improving
rent analysis but also looks at the trends over our community.
601 W. 45th Avenue the past decade. And this year, we have of- I am honored to serve as your Executive
Munster, IN. 46321
(219) 933-3300 fered a dashboard graphic for each topic area Director and look forward to the many
www.oneregionnwi.org to show if the indicator itself has improved, contributions One Region can make in the
worsened or remained unchanged. quality of life of our citizens.
I want to acknowledge, in particular, the Best wishes,
many contributions made by the Research
Committee of One Region. This commit-
tee, chaired by Leigh Morris, has worked
extensively to assist our research consultant,
Tina Rongers of Karnerblue Era, LLC, and Dennis Rittenmeyer,
her team in the production of the report. I Executive Director of One Region
3
INTRO
Twelve years ago the Northwest Indiana
EXECUTIVE
Quality of Life Council was formed to be a
collective voice for sustainable economic,
environmental and social progress in the region.
It soon became apparent that in order to open
conversations, set priorities and move forward,
the council needed to collect data that would
indicate both problems and progress. So in
2000, the first Northwest Indiana Quality of
Life Indicators Report was published.
Now, the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life
Council and the One Region, One Vision initia-
tive are a single non-profit organization, One The 2012 Quality of Life Indicators is growing older, a fact that affects every-
Region, focused on improving the quality of life Report is a portrait of a region in transi- thing from transportation to policing.
in Northwest Indiana. tion. Many barriers and disparities re- But it also is growing more diverse, and
This 2012 Indicators Report presents a main, and there are substantial gaps in our particularly more Latino, a fact that may
baseline view of Northwest Indiana and serves knowledge of the facts about Northwest call for changes in education, housing
as a relevant tool for One Region to use in its Indiana. But there also are opportunities and workforce development, among other
civic engagement. The report fulfills three for conversation, leadership and action. areas. More natural areas are being con-
primary purposes: This makes it an exciting time to focus on served and restored, and air pollution has
1. To provide an objective assessment of quality of life. been reduced, but the region still depends
conditions in ten categories considered to The data trends in this report show almost entirely on cars and trucks, despite
be leading indicators of the quality of life in that Northwest Indiana is in a state of the greenhouse gas emissions they cre-
Northwest Indiana. flux. Its industrial past is fading, as it ate, the health risks they raise and the
2. To identify and evaluate trends in each of searches for a new future in high-skill sprawling development they encourage. It
these categories during the period from 2000 manufacturing and the service economy. is a region that recreates, entertains and
to 2010. It still is divided in many ways by class gives back. Though in the final analysis,
3. To stimulate dialogue and actions that and race, and those divisions are reflected the baseline data reveal that the region’s
address opportunities to enhance the quality in disparities in education, safety, income quality of life remains much the same in
of life. and access to health care. Its population 2010 as it was in 2000.
Each chapter provides an overview of why
the topic is important to the region, a histori-
cal perspective on the issue and the current
analysis. Questions are posed by the author to
stimulate thought about what the data does or
HOW ARE INDICATORS IN THE REGION TRENDING?
does not say and what else might need to be
considered. Calls to action are the ideas and
IMPROVEMENT STEADY DECLINE
PEOPLE
suggestions of the author on where One Region
stakeholders might or could begin. A system
of arrows and blocks indicate if indicator
performance has improved, remained steady or
has declined over time.
ECONOMY
This report is not an exhaustive list of
data collected in prior years nor is it a com-
ENVIRONMENT
prehensive analysis of all facets of the leading
indicators. But beginning with the analysis in TRANSPORTATION
this report – including insight on where the
data so far have fallen short – One Region can EDUCATION
structure a process for collecting the right data
consistently and continually.
The more useful and readily available the
HEALTH
indicators can become, then the more that
fact-based information and dialogue can
PUBLIC SAFETY
shape policy and action in Northwest Indiana.
These measured outcomes, as signs of marked HOUSING
progress, can then be used to hold people
and organizations accountable for producing CULTURE
mutually-beneficial results.
GOVERNMENT
4
SUMMARY
PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION
People matter, The Lake Educational
and the way people Michigan shoreline attainment is the
live in Northwest defines Northwest key to Northwest
Indiana is chang- Indiana. A unique Indiana’s progress.
ing. The popula- combination of Yet children still
tion is becoming heavy industry, do not have equal
more diverse, with residential access to a good
substantial development education. While
increases in the and ecological some areas have
number of Latinos biodiversity make high-performing
and the proportion for a stark contrast K-12 schools,
of people who do not speak English at home. along the lakeshore. Industrialization and others perform well below state standards.
Married households are now outnumbered by urbanization account for higher concentra- A child’s chances of succeeding in school
other household arrangements and married tions of environmental degradation. Air, water depend greatly on where she lives and
couples with children are a decreasing minor- and land are cleaner. Yet the effects of other which school she attends. The population of
ity. The region's population also is aging, with key environmental factors, like energy and students is changing, with a rapid growth in
substantial implications in every area. climate change, are largely unknown. A more Hispanic students. Data are unsatisfactory;
Overall rating: sustainable region is gradually occurring. important questions such as how well the
Overall rating: education system is preparing students for the
workplace to come remain unstudied.
ECONOMY Overall rating:
TRANSPORTATION
Northwest
Indiana is a prime Our infrastruc- HEALTH
location to do ture moves goods
business. The and people where Health and
industrial past they need to go, well-being reflect
has given way to anywhere in the the quality of care
a more uncertain world. Northwest and value of human
future that will Indiana's residents, life. Although there
require greater workers and goods are sparkling new
diversification, still move mostly hospitals and medical
innovation and by car and truck, facilities, Northwest
entrepreneurship and a workforce trained for with associated Indiana overall ranks
a wider variety of occupations, particularly in costs in emissions, sprawl, congestion and poorly within the
service industries, health care and transporta- accidents. Public transit remains fragmented, state and against
tion. Employers will require better educated underfunded and underutilized. Local public national benchmarks for most measures of ac-
and higher skilled workforce. Stubborn transit systems are inefficient and costly cess to health care, delivery of health care, health
disparities persist in income, education and compared to other similar systems. Greater outcomes and the behavioral and environmental
employment. intra-regional transit connectivity needs factors that tend to harm. Data in previous
Overall rating: further study. indicators reports were scanty, inconsistent and
Overall rating: not comparable, forcing this report to start fresh
with county-level data. But better data choice,
collection and access are essential for the future,
especially in addressing disparities.
Overall rating:
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PUBLIC SAFETY CULTURE ANALYSIS
Essential Arts and The Quality of Life Indicators serves to
services help to culture, along quantify sustainable progress in North-
protect and secure with charitable west Indiana. The baseline data reveal that
the region. The giving, enrich the the region’s quality of life remains much
urban core of the lives of Northwest the same in 2010 as it was in 2000.
region has fewer Indiana residents What does sustainability and the data
violent crimes, and visitors. tell us? That the performance of the
but still is violent Despite a struggle economy, environment, people, education,
and unsafe. The for more funding, housing, health, government, transporta-
effectiveness of program offerings tion, arts and culture, and public safety
community polic- and patronage are are interconnected. This interdependence
ing strategies has not been studied. There has strong. Overnight lodging related to visiting holds true for Lake County, Porter County
been no coordinated effort in the region to family and friends and the area attractions, and La Porte County being smaller parts of
study and take action on the root causes of like the casinos and the Indiana Dunes the whole region. But sustainable progress
youth crime and delinquency. Public safety National Lakeshore, drive tourism. Wages, requires real accountability.
agencies still do not broadly cooperate and spending and taxes generated make the tour- The effects of major accomplishments
share information effectively. And little atten- ism and travel industry a growing sector of the have had little net impact on the numbers.
tion has been paid to the non-crime sources of economy. More nonprofit organizations have There has been incremental improvement
danger to the region's residents, such as fire, modest means to address community needs, in a few areas such as in crime rates, edu-
auto accidents, grade crossings, drownings, yet charitable giving to them is not evenly cational attainment and water quality, and
natural disasters and disparities in ambulance distributed. there are a few bright spots such as wages,
response times. Overall rating: charitable giving, air quality and recre-
Overall rating: ation. There have been a number of highly
publicized initiatives that had limited local
GOVERNMENT or short-term success. But overall, there
HOUSING has been little systemic change, and the
Leadership region has made little progress on tackling
Northwest operates with the its major challenges or fully optimizing its
Indiana is a good people in mind; assets since 2000.
place to call home. however, North- Though the Quality of Life Indicators
Yet, the effects of west Indiana still Reports have often made acute observa-
the nationwide is a long way from tions about the state of the region, their
housing collapse efficient, trusted, data and analysis have been too inconsis-
and the ensuing re- effective govern- tent to create real accountability or provide
cession are clearly ment. A major shift a fully informed basis for action.
felt in Northwest in the property One Region needs a functional and
Indiana. New home tax system has intellectually honest knowledge base to
starts have slowed drastically cut many local agencies' budgets, guide future strategy and to make it pos-
to a crawl and, while home values continue and they struggle to deliver essential public sible to judge what works. Future initia-
to rise in the region, that growth has greatly services and plan for the future as tax revenues tives should be clearly linked to overall
slowed in the past few years. Both homeown- fall, populations decline and tax bases shrink. strategies for progress and should be
ers and renters are having a harder time paying These circumstances make it all the more clearly linked to metrics that can measure
for housing, and there are more vacant homes. urgent for local governments to streamline their impact. Over time, the core indica-
But long-term disparities in housing opportu- and cooperate to lower costs, but they remain tors should be able to pick up evidence
nity and patterns of segregation remain, as do fragmented with often overlapping responsi- that the strategy is working or failing.
the environmental and other costs associated bilities. The 2007 Kernan-Shepard Report on As the picture improves and new visions
with sprawling development. streamlining government has had little effect form, Northwest Indiana communities can
Overall rating: on producing good government. come to see themselves as one region.
Overall rating:
VISION FOR The FUTURe
“A REGION RICH IN DIVERSITY, PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE WITH
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH PERSON TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND LEAD A
REWARDING LIFE THAT BENEFITS SOCIETY.” - MARk MAASSel, pReSIDeNT, NWI FORUM
6
PEOPLE
“WE ASPIRE TO BE A REGION THAT diversity was seen as an obstacle to regional
progress.
IS DIVERSE AND VALUES INCLUSION.” The demographic trends fluctuated
somewhat, but the trajectory was nearly
unchanged: Northwest Indiana was growing,
Before we can ask “where are we headed,” 21.7 percent in other metropolitan areas in the but not evenly. From 1990 to 2000, Porter
we have to know who we are. Though the Northeast and Midwest. County grew quickly, yet the urban core
demographics of Northwest Indiana have Locally, northern sections of Lake County communities and La Porte County grew
changed over the years, one major charac- were contracting and its suburban and rural hardly at all.
teristic remains constant: The region has areas were expanding. Porter County was de- Meanwhile, households in Northwest
no single “dominant city” that defines us veloping most rapidly while La Porte County Indiana were changing. Lake County had the
because no one city is dominant. Instead, the grew slightly. Meanwhile, the region became highest rate of single-parent homes, at 11.3
cities of Hammond, East Chicago, Gary and more racially and ethnically diverse between percent in 2000. The proportion of people
Michigan City, when thought of as an urban 1970 and 1998. As of 1998, Northwest Indiana living alone, an average of 24 percent region-
core, are comparable to the central cities of had 12 percent of the state's population, but ally, was nearly equal to the proportion of
other metropolitan areas yet are encompassed 29.5 percent of its African-American and 51 households consisting of married parents with
by smaller and growing cities and towns that percent of its Hispanic residents. children.
compromise our region. As with other metropolitan areas at the In the 2008 report, the perspective
Highly urbanized areas that include rural time, the population shifts left poverty changed from seeing racial division as a
life, like Northwest Indiana, attract and reflect concentrated in the urban core. Poverty was liability to viewing diversity as a social asset
a diversity of people. The challenge becomes especially concentrated in Lake County, where that could fuel creativity and innovation,
how best to create a marketplace and home- most blacks and Latinos lived, the majority of and therefore economic growth. Northwest
towns that are desirable to a range of needs, them in low-income neighborhoods. Between Indiana's history has resulted in patterns of
interests, eclectic tastes and rich cultures. 1970 and 1998, the proportion of people living division and exclusion by race, class, religion,
in poverty in Northwest Indiana increased nationality and politics. A major challenge for
from 8.5 percent to 13.4 percent. The 2000 the region was creating a sense of inclusive-
A LOOK BACK report concluded that it was not in anyone's ness, community cohesion and collective
interest to leave each city on its own to address identity going forward.
When the first “Northwest Indiana Quality these problems: “Disparity requires regional In 2006, 73 percent of Northwest Indiana's
of Life Indicators for Progress” report was solutions.” people were white, 18 percent were black
published in 2000, its writers noted that The 2004 report recognized racial division and 9 percent were of other races, and 10.9
from 1970 to 1990 the region, like other as the “Achilles’ heel” of Northwest Indiana. percent were Hispanic. The 2008 report noted
older industrial cities, had seen a dramatic Though the region overall was increasingly a historic shift: More people were coming
population shift from the urban core to outly- diverse, members of its racial and ethnic to Northwest Indiana from other parts of
ing areas. Northwest Indiana's urban core groups still led separate lives in segregated the nation than were emigrating from other
population loss was 28.7 percent, compared to communities. Lack of appreciation for countries.
7
-200 (65+) (45-64) Adult (18-24) (5-17) (Under 4)
Lake Porter La Porte NWI 300,000 (25-44)
800 -400 50,000
-400 200,000
PEOPLE
Population Change
600
2000 2010 -600 100,000 0
People per Capita Natural
-600 Net Population
Natural Net Population
1000
400 Change Migration Change
Change Migration Change
0
Lake Porter La Porte NWI
800
200
NWI Migration Patterns, 2000-2010 NWI Population
THE
600
NUMBERS NOW
NWI Migration
2000
Patterns,
2005
2000-2010 Population Change
2010 2000 2010
NWI
byby
Population
Race & Ethnicity
Race & Ethnicity
0 2000 2005 2010
The way we live is changing. of the region's households, up
People per Capita
2,500 1000
Today400 we are less likely be 2,500
part from the 8.5 percent of house- 2%
-200
holds in 2000. The proportion
2% 12% Asian
of a household with a married 12%17% 1%
800
couple
200 and children, and more of non-English-speaking
2,000 17% 1% Whit
likely-400
to live in a single-parent
2,000 households was greatest in
Othe
family home or alone. We are Lake County and fewest in 600
aging: 0The region's median age 1,500
La Porte County. Hispa
-600
People per Capita
Natural Net Population
is approaching 40, with
Change Migration 1,500Change The region also is more
fewer 400 68% Afric
-200people
young and more graying diverse in how its residents
1,000
baby boomers. live. Married people are no 68%
200
NWI
In 2010,
-400 Migration
Northwest Patterns,
Indiana 2000-2010
1,000
longer a majority of households NWI Population
accounted for 11.9 percent of in500
Northwest Indiana; more by Race & Ethnicity
Indiana's 2000
population2005
and its 2010 households now are headed by 0
-600
population has increased
Natural
2,500 Net by Populationsingle parents or people living
4.1 percent 2000. But500
since Migration
Change Change alone.0 Only in Porter County -200
2%
12% Asian
most of that increase has been do more than a quarter of 17% 1%
2,000County. Lake and La
in Porter households consist of married White
NWI Migration Patterns, 2000-2010 -500 -400 NWI Population
Porte counties grew far more 0 couples with children. Other Races
by Race
Net&Migration
Ethnicity
slowly2000than the rest
2005of the 2010 The agingForeign
of Northwest Domestic
1,500 Immigration Immigration
-600 Hispanic
state. Indiana has substantial impli- Natural Net Population
2,500
We have an increasing -500 cations all across the region, 2%
Change12% 68% Change
Migration African-American
number of Latinos, Asians and forForeign
the business, employment, Asian
1,000 Domestic Net Migration
17% 1%
people
2,000of combined ancestry in NWI Race &health
government, Ethnicity
care, Percent Change, 2000-2010 White
Immigration Immigration
NWI Migration Patterns, 2000-2010 NW
our population. While whites education
Lake and infrastructure.
Porter La Porte NWI
accounted The populations of people ages Other Races by
500 for 78 percent of its
2005 by Type,
2000Households
NWI 2010 2000-2010
1,500 in 2010, that figure
population 45-65 and 65 and older are
300% Hispanic
is down 2 percent from 2000. increasing while the population 2,5002000 2010
0 NWI Race & Ethnicity Percent Change, 2000-2010 68% African-American 2%
The proportion of African of young people is largely flat.
250% 35%
1,000
Americans stood at 19 percent Lake FromPorter
2000 to 2010,La thePorte
median NWI
30%
of the -500
population, but the age for the Northwest Indiana 2,000
25%
Hispanic population has grown 200%
region increased from 36.4 to
500 300%
Foreign Domestic Net Migration
20%
rapidly to 13 percent. 38.5, with the population of 15%
Immigration Immigration 1,500
In 2010, English was not the 150% La Porte County aging most 10%
primary0 language in 9.3 250%
percent rapidly. 5%
0%
1,000
100%
NWI Race & Ethnicity Percent Change, 2000-2010 Married Married Single Living Balance
-500 200% with Children without Parent Alone
Porter
Lake Foreign La Porte
DomesticNWI Net Migration
50% 500 Children Households
Immigration Immigration
300% 150%
0
0
250%
NWI Race & Ethnicity
100%Percent Change, 2000-2010 -50%
Lake Porter La Porte African-American
NWI American Indian/
-500 Asian White Native Hawaiian/ Two or
200% Alaska Native Pacific
Foreign Domestic NetIslander
Migration more races
300% 50% Immigration Immigration
150%
250% 0
100% NWI Race & Ethnicity Percent Change, 2000-2010
200%
-50% Lake Porter La Porte NWI
50% African-American American Indian/ Asian White Native Hawaiian/ T
150% 300%
Alaska Native Pacific Islander mo
0
100% 250%
-50%
African-American American Indian/ Asian White Native Hawaiian/ Two or Hispanic
50% 200%
Alaska Native Pacific Islander more races
0 150%
-50% 100%
African-American American Indian/ Asian White Native Hawaiian/ Two or Hispanic
Alaska Native Pacific Islander more races
50%
0
8
Population Age 5+ Lake Porter
-50% with DisabilityAsian
African-American
Median Age, 2000-2010American Indian/ La PorteWhiteNWI
Population Age 5+ Lake Porter
NWIPopulation,
MedianPopulation, withProjection,
2000-2010and
Age, 2000-2010 and Disability2015 La Porte NWI
NWI Population by Age Groups, 2010
NWI 2000-2010 Projection, 2015 NWI Population by Age Groups, 2010
50 2000
2000 2005
2005 2010 150,000
2010 2015
2015 Lake
Lake Porter
Porter LaPorte
La Porte
900,000
900,000 250,000
250,000
NWI Households by Type, 2000-2010
800,000
40800,000 120,000
2000 2010
Type, 2000-2010 200,000
200,000
700,000
700,000 35%
600,000 90,000 30%
30600,000 150,000
150,000 25%
Lake Porter
500,000
500,000 20%
La Porte NWI 60,000 15%
400,000 100,000
100,000
20400,000 10%
5%
300,000
300,000
30,000 50,000 0%
50,000
200,000 Married Married Single
10200,000
with Children
without Parent
ied Single
100,000
100,000 Living Balance 00 Children Households
0 Senior Adult Young College School
School Preschool
Preschool
out Parent Alone ’00 ’05 Senior
’10 Adult Young College
dren Households
0 00 (65+)
(65+) (45-64)
(45-64) Adult
Adult (18-24)
(18-24) (5-17) (Under4)4)
(5-17) (Under
’00 Lake
’05
Lake Porter
’10
Porter LaPorte
La Porte NWI
NWI (25-44)
(25-44)
PopulationChange
Population Change
2000
NWI2000
Change 2010
in Age Groups by County, 2000-2010
2010
1000
1000
Lake Porter La Porte NWI Primary Language
Spoken in Home, 2010
30% 800
800
seholdsNWI
by Households
Type,
25%
by Type, 2000-2010
2000-2010
2010 2000
600
600 2010
e, 2000-2010
35% 20%
Capita
perCapita
30% 400
400
25% 15%
20%
Peopleper
200
15% 10%200
English only
People
10%
5%
5% 00
0% Other
0
ied Married
Married
-200 SingleMarried LivingSingleBalanceLiving Balance
-200
with Children
hildren without
-5% Parentwithout AloneParent Alone
Children Living Children Households
Households
Single -400 Balance
-10%-400
Parent Alone
Households
-15%-600
-600 Natural
Senior (65+)Net Population
Adult (45-64) Young Adult (25-44) College (18-24) School (5-17) Preschool (Under 4)
Natural Net Population
Change Migration Change
Change Migration Change
NWI Primary Language
NWI Primary Language
NWIMigration
MigrationPatterns,
Patterns,2000-2010
2000-2010 NWIPopulation
Population Popula
NWI NWISpoken in Home,Spoken
2010 in Home, 2010
Porter byRace
Race&&Ethnicity
Ethnicity Median Age, 2000-2010 with Di
Population
2000 Age 2005
5+
2005 Lake
2010 by
NWI Primary Language
2000 2010
0 with Disability La Porte NWI Spoken in Home, 2010 50 150,000
2,500
2,500 2%
2% 12%
12% Asian
150,000 Asian
17%
17% 1%
1%
Other
2,000
2,000 White
40 White 120,000
En
120,000 OtherRaces
Other Races
1,500
1,500 Hispanic 90,000
English only English only Hispanic
30
68% Lake Porter
African-American
g
90,000 90.7% 68% African-American
1,000
1,000 La Porte NWI
l
er English only Other Other 60,000
i
9.3% 20
s
NWI 60,000
500
h
500 Other
30,000
10
on
30,000
00
0
ly
0-500 0
-500 ’05 ’00 ’05 ’10
’00 Foreign
Foreign Domestic ’10
Domestic NetMigration
Net Migration
’10 Immigration
Immigration Immigration
Immigration
Population Age 5+Population Age 5+
Lake Porter Lake Porter
9 by Cou
NW
with Disability NWI Change in Age Groups
with Disability
Sp
Median
ge, 2000-2010 Age, 2000-2010 La Porte NWI La Porte NWI
NWI Race &&Ethnicity
EthnicityPercent
PercentChange,
Change,2000-2010
2000-2010
e Groups by NWI Race
County,
Population Age2000-2010
5+ Lake Porter Lake Porter La Porte
PEOPLE
WHERE WE STAND
Northwest Indiana is a human tapestry
being woven as people are born, as they come
to the region, as they move within the region
or leave. We are not living in the world of 30,
50 or 100 years ago. Perceptions, needs and
assets have changed, even though cities and
towns maintain their distinctive character and
traditions. Too often, the people of Northwest
Indiana have defined themselves by their
historic differences. Now, we need leadership
to work toward a new cultural identity that
aligns better with the realities of our dynamic
population.
Race, class and other factors may divide
but they are not all-powerful. According to
the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Commu-
nity, Gary Report 2010, communities whose
residents have a strong sense of emotional vision for Northwest Indiana? How are jobs, occupations and education
attachment tend to be more prosperous and How can we create equal opportunities for distributed among them?
forward-looking. And that sense of attach- all in the region? How much do they interact in various ways?
ment has less to do with demographics, the Given that the region's future workforce How do they perceive each other?
study says, than with the perceptions of is likely to include a greater proportion of How do they see their future?
residents that they live in a good place, as Latinos, how can we create a more welcoming
measured by aesthetics, openness and social culture?
offerings. How can we improve connections within CALL TO ACTION
The Knight Foundation report found that and between communities in the region?
cities and towns in Northwest Indiana lagged A common body of knowledge about the
well behind their peers of the same size in demographics of Northwest Indiana would
all the study's key drivers of community WHAT WE NEED be a powerful tool for addressing the region's
attachment. The study rated emotional future challenges. It would be most useful
connection in the Gary region, inclusive of TO KNOW if a collection of information were central-
the three counties, at 2.80 out of a possible 5, ized, maintained online and open to all. The
significantly worse than the 3.57 average for 26 The data now available give us only a bald Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning
cities the foundation studied nationally. and sketchy understanding of the people of Council’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan is one
The demographic indicators that tell us Northwest Indiana, and especially of the way place to begin.
who lives here and under what conditions they relate to each other how they relate to The region needs leadership to address
provide the background for considering each other, within an across the divisions of issues around race, immigration, aging and
what needs to be done to improve the quality race, class, income, geography and language. other shifts in demographics, and it needs
of their lives. As we seek to foster a more Among the questions that call for more strong champions for creating a more wel-
connected community of people who work research and better measurement are: coming and inclusive region.
together for the vital future of the region, we How do people of different ages, classes, One Region’s planned community
will need to further explore: races, ethnic groups and primary languages conversations, funded through the Knight
How can we make the region more inclu- perceive their communities, the larger region Foundation, can be the start of understanding
sive as well as diverse? and their place within it? how Northwest Indiana leaders might foster
How can we bring people from diverse What are the demographic make-up of the stronger bonds among residents, within and
communities together around a common region’s cities and towns? between its cities and towns.
PEOPLE LEARN MORE
POPULATION TRENDS U.S. Census Bureau,
POPULATION CHANGE www.quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18000.html
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION Stats Indiana, www.stats.indiana.edu
POPULATION BY AGE GROUP Hoosiers by Numbers, www.hoosierdata.in.gov
AGE BY COUNTY
RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
HOUSEHOLD TYPE
LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN HOUSEHOLDS
ISSUeS TReNDINg IMPROVEMENT STEADY DECLINE
10ECONOMY
“WE ASPIRE TO BE A REGION employment and tax revenues.
The report suggested that the region's
THAT IS THRIVING AND VALUES economy could be positioned for growth by
fostering the transportation, distribution and
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR ALL.” logistics industry; overhauling Indiana’s tax
structure; investing in telecommunications;
Northwest Indiana's brawling industrial of Life Indicators for Progress” report was redeveloping brownfields; and better marketing.
past has given way to a more uncertain future published in 2000, the economy was strong By the time the next report was published
that will require greater diversification, inno- and the labor market was tight. Though in 2008, the old economy had given way to
vation and entrepreneurship and a workforce workers in some sectors enjoyed good wages, the new. To move ahead, businesses needed
trained for a wider variety of occupations. nearly half of Northwest Indiana families did to focus on innovation and workers needed to
Stubborn disparities persist in income, educa- not have enough income to cover their basic learn new skills. Jobs that were being created
tion and employment. needs. Urban core communities had high rates in the service sectors did not pay as much as
Coming out of the recession, the economic of unemployment, twice that of the region as a the manufacturing jobs that had been lost.
breakthrough for the region may rely heavily whole, and were losing jobs. Major changes in the tax structure were being
upon, not just manufacturing and construc- The goal set forth in the report was “to contemplated and debated downstate.
tion, but the growing sectors of logistics, obtain economic prosperity that is sustain- The transportation and warehousing sector
healthcare and profession services. Major able, equitable, and competitive in the global had, in fact, grown in employment, providing
innovations may sprout from local research economy.” It recommended that the region an opportunity to focus job training and
and development units in local businesses, at pursue policies that would achieve balanced employment efforts. As established businesses
universities’ centers and government affiliates. growth with a focus on urban revitalization. contracted, more people were self-employed.
Area businesses and a highly qualified and When the next report was published in It had become even more important for
career-ready workforce benefit from increase 2004, the structure of the regional economy workers to attain more and better education,
productivity. was changing. Northwest Indiana’s ability to skills and credentials, and there was hope that
adapt was being tested by globalization and education might equalize the continued lower
business fluctuations. Manufacturing jobs earnings and higher unemployment of women
A LOOK BACK were lost as the global steel industry consoli- and people of color. The income gap between
dated through mergers and acquisitions. But the rich and poor, especially for Northwest
When the “Northwest Indiana Quality the prosperous casino industry bolstered local Indiana's neediest households, grew.
11& Utilities Industries) Government
Less than 9th Grade 9th Grade to 12th Grade, No Diploma Some C
ECONOMY
High School Graduate (including equivalent) Associate Degree Ba
Total Employment within Graduate or Professional
Unemployment Rate Degree
NWI Establishments
Lake Porter La Porte NWI
350,000
Utilities
150% 12%
THE
300,000 NUMBERS NOW
11%
Labor Force Size
10% Lake
120% Porter La Porte NWI
Health Care & Social Services
Accommodation & Food Service
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Over the last several years, of 25 percent. Manufacturing 9%
400,000
Transportation & Warehousing
Educational Services
250,000 States and the
the United alone lost more than 5,000 jobs
Number of Workers
world have struggled through between 2006 and 2010 but 8%
350,000
Management of Companies
90%
one of the worst recessions in average annual wages increased
Professtional Services
200,000 7%
Finance & Insurance
modern history. Northwest 3 percent during the period to 300,000
Mining
Number of Workers
Indiana is not immune. Yet an $59,898. 6%
60%
increasingly diverse NWI
business Long-term trends nation- 250,000
Wholesale Trade
150,000 5%
sector helped keep the regional wide show jobs moving from
Manufacturing
Other Services
Administration
Lake
Forestry & Ag
200,000
4%
Construction
Real Estate
economy relatively stablePorter during
manufacturing to service
Retail Trade
Information
2000-2010.
30%
100,000 industries. Northwest Indiana’s 3%
La Porte 150,000
While large companies have service sector grew by 621 firms
traditionally carried the region's over the period, an increase of 2%
100,000
economy,
50,000small businesses now 5 percent, and its total employ- 1%
0%
play a greater role. In 2010, ment was nearly flat, with a net 50,000
Northwest loss of 162 jobs. Service sector 0
0 Indiana contained 2000 2005 2010
Change 99
16,217 businesses, in percent
NWI Establishments between
average wages 2000-2010
increased by 7 0
of-30% ’00 250 or fewer
them with ’05 em- ’10 percent from 2006-2010 to 2000 2005 2010
ployees. From 2000 to 2010, the $31,106.
region held on to 281,769 jobs, a In 2010, small businesses
decline of 6.7 percent. Job losses accounted for 68 percent of the NWI Per Capita Income
NWIgreatest
were Poverty inRates
Lake County region's jobs, compared to 66
2000 2005 2010
and least in Porter County. percent in 2000. Meanwhile,
NWI Porter
Meanwhile, average
NWI Annual Average annual public
Wages by Sectors sector employment
2006 2010 $50,000
wages from 2006Laincreased
Lake Porte 8 contracted by nearly 3,000 jobs
$80,000to $37,806 in 2010.
percent from 2006-2010, average wages
20%
$70,000
Unemployment in North- grew to $35,719, an increase of 7 $40,000
west Indiana stood at 10.6
$60,000 percent.
percent
$50,000in 2010 and was highest
16% A more diverse economy
in La Porte County at 11.9 per- needs a more skilled workforce. $30,000
$40,000
cent. Though the 10.6 percent In 2010, nearly 28 percent of
12%
$30,000
unemployment rate represents the regional population over age
$20,000
37,696 people looking for jobs 25 has an associate's degree or $20,000
who8% could
$10,000 not find them, the higher, up from 23 percent in
number0of job seekers had 2000. However, the proportion
$10,000
tripled
4% since Natural
2000. Const- ofManu-
high school graduates
Trade, has
Information Financial Professional Educational Leisure & Other Federal,
The greatest declines were
Resources ruction remained
facturing largely unchanged
Trans- Activities & Business & Health Hospitality Services State &
seen0in business sectors that
& Mining over the last decade at about 37
portation Services Services (Private Local
0
have traditionally been the percent. & Utilities Lake Porter Industries) NWI
La Porte Government
’00 ’05 ’10
base of the Northwest Indiana The average per capita in-
economy. There were 15 percent come in the region in 2010 was
fewer construction firms in 2010 $34,848, up 26 percent from
Total Employment within
than in 2000, with 2,802 fewer 2000. It was 12.7 percent less Unemployment Rate
NWI Establishments
workers. But for those construc- than the U.S. national average Lake Porter La Porte NWI
tion 350,000
workers who remained, of $39,937 but 2.5 percent more
wages increased by 32 percent to than the Indiana statewide 12%
$61,557, the greatest gain in any average at $33,981. However, the 11%
sector.
300,000 level of poverty in Northwest
The manufacturing, whole- Indiana had increased to 14.9 10%
sale and retail trade sectors in percent in 2010, compared to 9%
250,000lost 330 firms be-
the region 15.3 percent for both the state
Number of Workers
tween 2000 and 2010, a decline and the nation. 8%
200,000 7%
6%
NWI
150,000 5%
Lake
4%
Porter
100,000 La Porte 3%
2%
50,000 1%
0
0 2000 2005 2010
’00 ’05 ’10
12
NWI Per Capita Income$10,000
$10,000
0
0
Natural Const- Manu
Natural Const- Manu-
Resources ruction facturin
Resources ruction facturing
& Mining
& Mining
Total Employment
Employmentwithin
within
Utilities
150% Total
NWI Establishments
NWI Establishments
350,000
350,000
120%
Health Care & Social Services
Accommodation & Food Service
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Transportation & Warehousing
Educational Services
300,000
300,000
Management of Companies
90%
Professtional Services
Finance & Insurance 250,000
250,000
Mining
Workers
NumberofofWorkers
60%
Wholesale Trade
200,000
200,000
Manufacturing
Other Services
Administration
Forestry & Ag
Construction
Real Estate
Retail Trade
Information
NWI
Number
30% 150,000 NWI
150,000 Lake
Lake
Porter
Porter
100,000 La Porte
0% 100,000 La Porte
Change in NWI Establishments between 2000-2010 50,000
50,000
-30%
0
0
’00 ’05 ’10
Utilities
150% ’00 ’05 ’10
NWI Educational Attainment
NWI 2000
120%Annual Average Wages by Sectors 2010 2006 2010
NWI Poverty
PovertyRates
Rates
Health Care & Social Services
Accommodation & Food Service
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
6% 5% 7% 4% NWI
$80,000
Transportation & Warehousing
Educational Services
9% NWI Porter
$70,000 11% 12% NWI Porter
90% 13% Management of Companies Lake La Porte
$60,000 Lake La Porte
Professtional Services
Finance & Insurance
6%
Mining
$50,000 20%
20%
$40,000 8%
60%
Wholesale Trade
$30,000 16%
Manufacturing
Other Services
Administration
16%
Forestry & Ag
$20,000 37%
Construction
Real Estate
Retail Trade
Information
22%
$10,000
30% 12%
38%
12%
0 22%
Natural Const- Manu- Trade, Information Financial Professional Educational Leisure
8% & Other Federal,
Resources ruction facturing Trans- Activities & Business & Health 8%
Hospitality Services State &
0%
& Mining portation Services Services (Private Local
& Utilities 4% Industries) Government
4%
LessChange
than 9th Grade 9th Grade to 12th
in NWI Establishments Grade,2000-2010
between No Diploma Some College, No Degree
-30%
High School Graduate (including equivalent) Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree 0
0
Total Employment within Degree ’00 ’05 ’10
Graduate or Professional Unemployment Rate ’00 ’05 ’10
NWI Establishments
Lake Porter La Porte NWI
350,000
12%
NWI Annual
Labor ForceAverage
Size Wages by Sectors 2006 2010 11%
300,000
$80,000
Lake Porter La Porte NWI 10%
$70,000 9%
400,000
250,000
$60,000
of Workers
8%
350,000
$50,000
200,000 7%
$40,000
300,000
of Workers
$30,000 6%
NumberNumber
250,000
$20,000 NWI
150,000 5%
$10,000 Lake
200,000 4%
0 Porter
100,000
150,000 NaturalLa Porte Const- Manu- Trade, 3%
Information Financial Professional Educational Leisure & Other Federal,
Resources ruction facturing Trans- Activities
2% & Business & Health Hospitality Services State &
100,000 & Mining portation Services Services (Private Local
50,000 & Utilities 1% Industries) Government
50,000
0
0 2000 2005 2010
0
’00
Total Employment ’05
2000 within ’10 2005 2010 13
Unemployment Rate
NWI Establishments
Lake Porter La Porte NWIECONOMY
WHERE WE STAND
Today, economic transformation
is underway. Though needs still dwarf
resources, cities and towns across the region
are undertaking projects, large and small,
that show their resilience even during a long,
deep national recession. Significant private
sector investments are being made, such
as BP Whiting Refinery’s $3.8 billion mod-
ernization project and United States Steel’s
$220 million investment in its coke-making
facilities.
Large-scale public works projects, such
as the Gary Chicago International Airport
and Marquette Plan projects including
Hammond's Wolf Lake Park, are creating
construction-related jobs and paving the
way for long-term business and employment
growth. Other development projects are
neighborhood specific, like new hous-
ing or site specific, such as brownfield
redevelopment.
Each of these investments contributes in
its own way to overall progress. But much
work still needs to be done to fill the various
“legacy gaps” that place women, people
of color and the poor at a disadvantage in
accessing capital, employment, education
and higher wage income. These barriers and
disparities affect economic development
outcomes for the entire region and ultimately
shape the pursuit of a higher quality of life.
The economic indicators presented here
can provide a baseline for looking ahead.
But as a region which seeks to thrive, with a
sustainable, competitive and just economy,
we must ask hard questions.
What should our economic priorities be?
What are the best development strategies
to achieve those priorities?
How will economic development initia-
tives address the historic economic gaps and
barriers for women, people of color and the
poor?
How can we imagine working together to
become a thriving community? progress in diversifying its economy. Yet un- East Chicago, Gary and Michigan City are
Today, Northwest Indiana is making til the urban core communities of Hammond, successfully revitalized, it cannot claim to
ECONOMY LEARN MORE
BUSINESS BY INDUSTRY CWI, www.innovativeforce.org
EMPLOYMENT BY COUNTY IBRC, www.stats.indiana.edu
WAGES PAID BY EMPLOYERS IEDC, www.iedc.in.gov
LABOR FORCE IDWD, www.hoosierdata.in.gov
IDWD, www.nidataplus.com
UNEMPLOYMENT
NIRPC, www.nirpc.org
WORKFORCE EDUCATION NWI Forum, www.nwiforum.org
INCOME NWI RDA, www.rda.in.gov
POVERTY
ISSUeS TReNDINg IMPROVEMENT STEADY DECLINE
14the connections within the region's economy
between education, employment and
income, including such factors as substance
abuse and language barriers?
CALL TO ACTION
The region needs what it has lacked in the
past, a comprehensive, integrated economic
development strategy that addresses priority
investments and the disparities and posi-
tions Northwest Indiana for future growth.
With service enterprises and small busi-
ness accounting for an increasing proportion
of economic activity and jobs, Northwest
Indiana should consider how existing assets
can be leveraged to meet their needs and how
small businesses can be tied into broader
economic development efforts. The more
entrepreneurial, innovative and productive
business owners and workers can become,
the stronger the region will be.
The infrastructure assets are consider-
able, including a location within the
nation’s third largest metropolitan area at
the hub of North America’s transportation
network; major global manufacturing
firms; prominent universities, as well as
community colleges and vocational schools;
and a national park that attracts 2 million
visitors a year, as well as a popular state park
and other natural and recreational areas. But
making the most of these assets will require
increased cooperation and coordination
across political boundaries.
Several leading institutions and organiza-
tions, as well as major firms, already are
undertaking strategies for economic change.
Major players in regional economic planning
include the Northwest Indiana Regional
Development Authority, the Northwest Indi-
ana Forum, the Northwest Indiana Regional
Planning Council, the Northwest Indiana
Economic Development District, the Indiana
Economic Development Corporation, the
Center of Workforce Innovations, and the six
have achieved the objective identified in the that will tell us about the trajectory of local Universities and Colleges.
2000 report: a thriving community in which growth and employment? Compared to cost But these efforts are being undertaken
economic prosperity and opportunity exist of living and GDP? separately. They need to be integrated and
for all. Subsequent reports identified the What is the region’s equivalent to the focused to produce a single comprehensive
major barriers to and real opportunities for gross domestic product? strategy that includes actions whose impact
economic growth. How can the region become a more at- can be measured. A truly regional economic
tractive place to invest? development strategy can only be considered
How well are businesses and workers effective if it measurably improves the
WHAT WE NEED connecting jobs and skills? quality of life for residents throughout the
What barriers are preventing more stu- region.
TO KNOW dents and workers, especially African Ameri- One Region now offers a platform to
cans and Latinos, from earning degrees and launch regional and community-based
There are many questions that, at this credentials that can equip them for jobs? initiatives for economic development. Each
state of research, do not have answers. Better What actions would lessen the wage of the public, private and non-profit sectors,
data would do much to inform conversation gap between rich and poor and improve and every business owner, student and
and planning. economic prospects for people of color and worker has a role and responsibility in con-
What additional information should be women? tributing to a more competitive, attractive,
collected about businesses, such as revenues, What further research is needed about prosperous region for all.
15ENVIRONMENT
“WE ASPIRE TO BE A REGION THAT question of the time was: “How can the region
grow while also restoring and protecting our
SUPPORTS STEWARDSHIP OF OUR natural environment?”
At the time, air pollution in Northwest
UNIQUE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Indiana greatly exceeded standards for both
particulate matter and ground-level ozone,
HELPING TO ASSURE THE HEALTH earning the region a federal label as a “non-
AND WELL-BEING OF CURRENT AND attainment area.” Between 1994 and 1999, the
report found, air quality in Northwest Indiana
FUTURE GENERATIONS.” had not changed significantly.
Watershed management was a major
The Lake Michigan shoreline defines Report recognized a legacy of environmental concern, given the serious impairment of the
Northwest Indiana. Once, the Indiana Dunes degradation in Northwest Indiana. A cen- region’s two river systems, the Little Calumet-
were valued mainly as a site for ports, industry tury of industrial production and real estate Galien system and the Kankakee basin. The
and sand mining. But in recent decades, development had consumed much of the report expressed particular concern about
understanding has grown that the remaining area near the lakeshore and heavily affected meeting clean water standards, fish consump-
natural areas in the Dunes and beyond are the quality of the region’s air, water and tion, contaminated sediments and loss of
sacred treasures that the region holds in trust land. The stated goal that year was to re- wetlands. Aquatic invasive species, urban and
for all Americans and for future generations. store, maintain, and improve environmental agricultural pesticide and fertilizer runoff and
Meanwhile, the environmental costs of quality, equity and compliance, and prevent particulate pollution that settled from the air
development and industrialization, including any future degradation. A key finding was were seen as key factors in the vulnerability of
the health effects of pollution and the contri- that as federal standards became more the region's waters.
bution to climate change, have been recog- stringent, Northwest Indiana would have Northwest Indiana’s population was
nized. Project and issue-based partnerships to work harder, using more coordinated, producing 2 tons of solid waste annually per
between business, government and non-profit regional approaches, to manage its natural person. That was 11 pounds a day, well above
organizations are more evident. resources. the national average of 3 to 5 pounds. The
Just as it is particularly blessed, Northwest The report saw that the greatest natural generation of hazardous waste had decreased
Indiana is particularly challenged to achieve asset of the region is the Lake Michigan between 1989 and 1997.
a cleaner, safer, richer environment and a ecosystem, a unique biosphere of ecological Development patterns and land use have
sustainable balance between nature and the diversity created by the convergence of several an immense effect not only on open space,
built environment. biological zones. The delicate habitats of rare but on air and water pollution and oil and
plants and animals that are protected by the water consumption. The report looked at the
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the effects of the sprawling land-use patterns in
A LOOK BACK Indiana Dunes State Park are mixed in among the region. As more land was developed in the
steel mills, power plants and residential com- Chicago area, the report predicted, natural
The 2000 Quality of Life Indicators munities along the shore. The unanswered areas and habitats would be threatened.
16Poor and minority populations would be Water quality remained a challenge. and Indiana’s shoreline were more secure,
concentrated in older, urbanized areas. The Lakes and rivers were polluted from specific the report saw the region as making strides in
development of outlying subdivisions would points such as combined sewer outflows, by protecting its natural assets.
empty out older areas, leaving them with particulate pollution from the air, by septic Air quality continued to improve, though
surplus capacity that would go to waste. systems, and by agricultural runoff, among federal standards for ozone and particulate
Between 1982 and 1997, almost 70,000 other causes. Contaminated sediment lay matter still were not met. Though water
acres of farmland in Northwest Indiana was in harbors and rivers. As wetlands were quality was better, many rivers, lakes and
turned over to development. The population developed, their water-filtering capacity was Lake Michigan beaches still were polluted
of the urban core became less dense while lost. Beaches often were closed because of and beach closures due to E. Coli continued.
the outlying areas became more densely dangerous levels of E. Coli bacteria. Every Municipal storm sewers continued to overflow
populated. More workers commuted by car, body of water in the region was impaired in into Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
since public transportation did not extend into some way. Regulatory issues made it hard to tell whether
the suburbs. The amount of solid waste produced in the shoreline industries were reducing their
The 2004 report called on the region to be region continued to rise, although the amount discharges into the lake.
a community in balance with its environment of hazardous waste produced in the region was At a time when concerns about climate
through an ethic of stewardship, ensuring a down to 693,845 tons in 2002 compared to 1.3 change were increasing, the report raised the
sustainable future for generations to come. It million tons in 1989. issue of adapting infrastructure to handle
called for a comprehensive land-use strategy The report noted that as of 2000, most potential flooding from more severe storms
to counter the effects of sprawl and manage of the region's population lived in urbanized likely to become common in a warmer and
watersheds, collaboration within the region's areas, and the urbanized areas continued to more turbulent climate. Water conservation
environmental community to enhance an spread. Nearly 28,000 acres of farmland were also was raised as an issue, though the rate of
ethic of stewardship and a commitment to lost between 1997 and 2002. Of the area seen consumption in the region had decreased from
cleaner air through greater use of alternative at risk for development, 22 percent was in 2002 to 2006.
fuels. There was support for the creation of Lake County, 14 percent in Porter County and Solid waste sent to landfills increased
the Marquette Greenway Plan to put land 12 percent in La Porte County. Open space between 2002 and 2006. The cleanup of
along Lake Michigan back to recreational, made up about 2 percent of Lake County, 5 contaminated sites, known as brownfields,
natural and productive use. The report also percent of Porter County and 3 percent of La was a new indicator of environmental quality;
called for state and federal environmental Porte County. in 2007, about 50 sites in the region was
agencies to speed up approval of permits for By the time the next report appeared in involved in four state remediation programs.
industrial uses. 2008, Northwest Indiana had completed the Greenhouse gas emissions were another
Data indicated that environmental quality planning process for the Marquette Greenway new concern. Vehicle miles travelled were
in Northwest Indiana had improved over the Plan and key environmental and business steady from 2000 to 2006. Meanwhile, the
previous three decades, though many problems leaders had participated in the designing the report noted that the region had 70 miles of
remained. Air quality was better, but the region Great Lakes Compact, a multistate agreement recreational trails in 2008, up from just 15
was still designated as a non-attainment area addressing water quality and usage rights. in 1990. Nearly 58 more miles of trails were
for particulate matter and ozone. With a sense that the future of Lake Michigan planned.
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