CensusEasy
CITY

Gary

South Dakota · 238 residents (2025 est.) · 0.672 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Gary has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,875. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $101,700. With a median age of 61.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 31% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 232%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
246
+6%since 2000
from 231 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
366 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 344 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
61.0
+16%since 2000
from 52.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:238 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2022302582863141990201020202024Gary
2024246
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,875
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,962 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,557
+149%since 2000
from $13,480 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.9%
+15.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.333
−28%since 2010
from 0.464 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade21.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance12.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade11%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services7.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,700
+232%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$461
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $200 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
21.2% rent
Vacancy rate
12.7%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
10.3%
−31.0 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+145%since 2000
from 0.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
84
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gary on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.6%(230)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(222)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(9)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.1%(15)
Diversity Score22.6%(56)
Diversity Score
23
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.3%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+140%since 2000
from 9.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.8%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.7%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
15.0%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.9%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.6%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
28.4%
+26.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.5%
−28.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.1%
−31.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.6%
−10.1 ptssince 2012
from 22.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.7%
−83.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
79.6%
+22.5 ptssince 2017
from 57.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Gary

Avalon
Pop 244
West Canaveral Groves
Pop 224
Avera
Pop 219
Calvary
Pop 205
Places similar to Gary
Head to head

Compare Gary to nearby cities

GARY VS
Watertown
Income$69,600+34%
Home value$229,400+126%
Population23,736+9873%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GARY VS
Brookings
Income$63,493+22%
Home value$265,500+161%
Population25,355+10553%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GARY VS
Marshall
Income$68,566+32%
Home value$210,300+107%
Population14,171+5854%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GARY VS
Willmar
Income$62,280+20%
Home value$198,400+95%
Population22,001+9144%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Gary, South Dakota?

Gary, South Dakota has about 246 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gary, South Dakota?

The typical household in Gary, South Dakota earns about $51,875 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gary, South Dakota expensive?

In Gary, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $101,700, and the typical rent is about $461 a month.

How educated are people in Gary, South Dakota?

About 11.2% of adults age 25 and over in Gary, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gary, South Dakota?

About 8.5% of people in Gary, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gary, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Gary, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 25 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
South Dakota
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Gary with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →