Population 72,654 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Gary
Household size in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.79 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.60 | 2.82 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.75 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.66 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.12 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Gary has 2.56 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.61, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.8 | 36.8 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.7 | 37.8 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.8 | 38.9 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.1 | 39.7 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.3 | +3.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Gary is 38.1 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the center.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.0% | 12.0% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.9% | 12.0% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 11.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about a quarter of households in Gary (25.5%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 1.6 points, even as the national share fell. Gary has the highest share of single-parent households of any Indiana city with 5,000+ people.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Gary
Renters in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.6% | 32.1% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.4% | 34.8% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.4% | 35.5% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 49.5% | 34.5% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Gary than nationally: 49.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Just over six in ten owners (62.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 5.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.2% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.1% | 7.2% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Gary: 24.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 2.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1966 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1967 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1967 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1957 | 1970 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Gary is a place of older homes: half were built before 1957, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the north. Only 14 of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $736 | $1,060 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $770 | $1,142 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $840 | $1,306 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,062 | $1,602 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$326 | +$542 | +$384 | +$606 |
The median renter in Gary pays $1,062 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $326 a month since 2006–10, up 44%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Gary
Bachelor's degrees in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 33.9% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 35.2% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 40.9% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Gary: 15.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Gary has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Indiana cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.6% | 85.6% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.2% | 86.7% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.0% | 88.4% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.1% | 89.5% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +3.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Gary never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Gary has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Indiana cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Gary
| Period | Gary | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.3% | 9.1% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 6.3% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 6.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Gary runs well above the national rate: 10.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Indiana city with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Gary compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | 2.56 | 38.1 | 25.5% | 49.5% | 24.1% | 1957 | $1,062 | 15.0% | 86.1% | 10.1% |
| New Chicago | 2.61 | 29.1 | 19.1% | 42.9% | 11.1% | 1974 | $1,135 | 9.0% | 77.9% | 8.2% |
| Lake Station | 2.78 | 36.1 | 19.1% | 25.3% | 7.1% | 1963 | $1,173 | 8.3% | 77.1% | 13.3% |
| Griffith | 2.37 | 38.3 | 17.1% | 26.8% | 5.9% | 1966 | $1,213 | 27.1% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Hobart | 2.47 | 41.4 | 9.7% | 29.5% | 8.1% | 1971 | $1,171 | 21.1% | 93.9% | 3.9% |
| Merrillville | 2.40 | 43.3 | 14.8% | 30.6% | 6.1% | 1979 | $1,296 | 25.6% | 91.8% | 7.6% |
| Highland | 2.29 | 46.2 | 11.4% | 21.5% | 5.4% | 1969 | $1,305 | 29.8% | 94.2% | 4.9% |
| East Chicago | 2.75 | 36.1 | 22.4% | 57.1% | 19.1% | 1943 | $910 | 11.8% | 73.9% | 8.2% |
| Hammond | 2.72 | 36.0 | 20.1% | 38.6% | 10.6% | 1954 | $1,161 | 16.7% | 82.2% | 7.0% |
| Schererville | 2.51 | 44.1 | 8.0% | 20.3% | 5.4% | 1989 | $1,372 | 34.0% | 94.8% | 4.5% |
| Portage | 2.67 | 40.3 | 15.1% | 27.4% | 7.9% | 1983 | $1,317 | 18.5% | 89.8% | 6.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Rocklin, CA · Redlands, CA · Fort Pierce, FL · Ankeny, IA · Wake Forest, NC · Tonawanda, NY · Rockville, MD · Poinciana, FL · New Britain, CT · Mount Vernon, NY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Gary. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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