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CITY

Gary

Indiana · 67,289 residents (2025 est.) · 49.932 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#68Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-13.9%
The short version

Gary has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,731. Population has fallen 34% since 2000, a loss of 34,633 residents. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $94,700. The poverty rate of 33.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
68,113
−34%since 2000
from 102,746 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,364 / sq mi
−34%since 2000
from 2,058 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.5
+9%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:67,289 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
63K78K92K107K121K1990201020202024Gary
202468K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,731
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,195 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,453
+63%since 2000
from $14,383 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
33.1%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.511
+9%since 2010
from 0.469 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance11.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical10.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,700
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,012
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $469 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.1%
−6.8 ptssince 2000
from 55.8% in 2000
50.9% rent
Vacancy rate
28.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.2%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.1%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+28%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
34
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gary on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic10.1%(10,338)
Black83.4%(85,704)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(5,065)
Asian0.1%(123)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.8%(34,714)
2024
White, non-Hispanic9.4%(6,421)
Black75.7%(51,585)
Hispanic / Latino10.4%(7,069)
Asian0.4%(240)
Other4.1%(2,798)
Diversity Score50.6%(34,488)
Diversity Score
51
+50%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.4%
+13.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+51%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.7%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.0%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 19.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.2%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.0%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
53.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−36.9 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2012
from 19.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.1%
−73.0 ptssince 2013
from 81.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.2%
+25.2 ptssince 2017
from 57.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 95.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 3.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gary, Indiana?

Gary, Indiana has about 68,113 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gary, Indiana?

The typical household in Gary, Indiana earns about $38,731 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gary, Indiana expensive?

In Gary, Indiana, the median home is worth about $94,700, and the typical rent is about $1,012 a month.

How educated are people in Gary, Indiana?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Gary, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gary, Indiana?

About 33.1% of people in Gary, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gary, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Gary, Indiana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 48,533 residents, a change of about -42 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →