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CITY

Gary

West Virginia · 681 residents (2025 est.) · 0.841 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 $41,603. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 11% 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 $50,900. Households here earn about 30% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
861
−6%since 2000
from 917 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,024 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 1,090 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.9
−19%since 2000
from 49.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:681 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5557739921K1K1990201020202024Gary
2024861
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,603
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,857 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,443
+85%since 2000
from $13,233 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
16.5%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.8%
−18.0 ptssince 2000
from 30.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
+6%since 2010
from 0.387 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information5.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
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
$50,900
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
95.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.8% in 2000
4.1% rent
Vacancy rate
45.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 36.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
+43%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gary on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.1%(560)
Black35.3%(324)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.8%(539)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.1%(655)
Black8.4%(72)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other15.3%(132)
Diversity Score48.8%(421)
Diversity Score
49
−17%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.9%
+16.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
50.1 min
+117%since 2000
from 23.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
99.7%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 87.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% 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
4.9%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 0.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.8%
+18.0 ptssince 2011
from 30.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.6%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.4%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.2%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.5%
−9.0 ptssince 2012
from 26.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.9%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.5%
+29.2 ptssince 2017
from 60.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 99.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gary, West Virginia?

Gary, West Virginia has about 861 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gary, West Virginia?

The typical household in Gary, West Virginia earns about $41,603 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gary, West Virginia expensive?

In Gary, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $50,900.

How educated are people in Gary, West Virginia?

About 11.0% of adults age 25 and over in Gary, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gary, West Virginia?

About 12.8% of people in Gary, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gary, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Gary, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 494 residents, a change of about -36 percent over that period.

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

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