Benchmark Study

Several key indicators were examined in LaPorte County for this assessment. The numbers obtained were compared to other similar communities throughout the United States. This process provided a benchmark, which allowed for comparisons of LaPorte County specific statistics. By comparing the statistics of like communities, it can be determined if numbers provide an accurate picture or one merely based on perception.

Four counties from across the United States were selected for the benchmarking study. Those counties include:

· Delaware County, Indiana
· Wayne County, Ohio
· Union County, North Carolina
· Bay County, Michigan

These counties were selected by the following basic criteria:

· Population
· Number of Households
· Race
· Age of Population
· Educational Attainment
· Manufacturing Economy
· Household Income
· Proximity to a Major US City

A complete listing of the benchmarked counties and their demographics, as well as other selected statistics, can be found on the following pages of this document.