2000 34,909 1990 29,477 1980 25,550 1970 20,890 1960 17,380 1950 15,347 1940 14,352 1930 13,780 1920 14,009 1910 15,148 1900 15,284 1890 15,615 1880 15,630 1870 14,148 1860 11,366 1850 8,387 1840 3,664
Approximately 37% of the population of LaGrange County is Amish, and the county is home to the third largest Amish community in the United States. This is reflected in the linguistic situation in the county: 28.45% of the population report speaking German, Pennsylvania German, or Dutch at home. A further 2.85% speak Spanish.[1]
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,909 people, 11,225 households, and 8,856 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 12,938 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.74% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 1.92% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 3.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.3% were of German, 23.8% American, 6.0% English, 5.3% Irish, 5.2% Swiss and 5.1% Pennsylvania German ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 11,225 households out of which 40.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.20% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.10% were non-families. 18.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.54.
In the county the population was spread out with 33.80% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,848, and the median income for a family was $46,885. Males had a median income of $33,872 versus $23,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,481. About 5.40% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.
68.5% of the total population and 61.29% of the children in 5-17 age group used English as their home language, according to 2000 Census. The Amish languages (German, Pennsylfaansch and Dutch) were used by 28.47% of the total population and 35.77% of the children. [2]
The Indiana Toll Road, Interstates 80 and 90, passes through the northern fringes of the county and serves Howe, LaGrange, and Sturgis, Michigan by means of exit 121. The Toll Road connects Toledo, Ohio and Chicago. U.S. 20 runs through the county and connects Shipshewana and LaGrange to Elkhart and Angola. Indiana State Highways 3, 5, 9, and 120 also pass through the county.
Motorists have to share the roads with Horses and Buggies used by the county's large Amish population.