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CITY · 2020 ACS

Gary

Indiana · 69,093 residents · 49.932 sq mi
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The short version

Gary has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,315. Population has fallen 33% since 2000, a loss of 33,653 residents. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $68,400. 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: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
69,093
−33%since 2000
from 102,746 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,384 / sq mi
−33%since 2000
from 2,058 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+14%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
63K78K92K107K121K1990201020202024Gary
202468K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,315
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,195 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,100
+33%since 2000
from $14,383 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
33.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 10%
Information11.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,400
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$792
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $469 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
47.8%
−8.0 ptssince 2000
from 55.8% in 2000
52.2% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+14%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic9.2%(6,374)
Black79.1%(54,660)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(5,221)
Asian0.2%(124)
Other2.4%(1,646)
Diversity Score42.4%(29,285)
Diversity Score
42
+25%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.2%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+67%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.7%
−6.4 ptssince 2011
from 19.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.8%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 53.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.1%
−41.7 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
53.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.6%
−71.5 ptssince 2013
from 81.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Gary

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Pop 58,832
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Pop 48,127
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Pop 66,907
Valdosta
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Compare Gary to nearby cities

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GARY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gary, Indiana?

Gary, Indiana has about 69,093 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gary, Indiana?

The typical household in Gary, Indiana earns about $31,315 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 $68,400, and the typical rent is about $792 a month.

How educated are people in Gary, Indiana?

About 13.5% 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 47,553 residents, a change of about -41 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 →