and 51.8% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 21,621 people, 8,916 households, and 5,545 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,667 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.60% White, 1.92% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 3.39% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.52% of the population. There were 8,916 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $35,376, and the median income for a family was $45,784. Males had a median income of $32,319 versus $22,756 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,900. About 7.7% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over. Government The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in citywide vote. The city council consists of seven members. Five are elected from individual districts. Two are elected at-large. Education The La Porte Community School Corporation serves approximately 6,500 students. Primary and secondary education Public schools La Porte Community Schools'La Porte High School La Porte Middle School La Porte Intermediate School Crichfield Elementary Hailmann Elementary Handley Elementary Indian Trail Elementary Kingsbury Elementary Kingsford Heights Elementary Lincoln Elementary Riley Elementary South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative Private schools La Lumiere School (9–12) Saint John Lutheran School (K–8) St. Joseph's School (PK–5) – closed June, 2012 Door Prairie Adventist