Gary, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gary, Indiana had a total population of 68,113, the 11th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $38,731, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Gary Quick Facts
How Gary Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,604 | 68,113 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $37,380 | $38,731 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $85,300 | $94,700 | +11.0% |
How Gary Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gary Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | 19.1% | $159,900 |
| Merrillville | 36,476 | $67,587 | 12.6% | $211,400 |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | 6.9% | $294,800 |
| Schererville | 29,701 | $89,466 | 7.7% | $314,900 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | 26.3% | $105,400 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | 6.0% | $334,300 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | 11.6% | $233,300 |
| St. John | 22,567 | $131,467 | 2.1% | $406,300 |
| Dyer | 16,400 | $107,159 | 6.2% | $322,200 |
Cities Similar to Gary
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie | 64,751 | $44,471 | $97,300 | 26.2% | 29.2% |
| Terre Haute | 58,427 | $43,126 | $115,700 | 24.6% | 24.6% |
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | $172,800 | 27.9% | 17.8% |
| Bloomington | 80,049 | $50,465 | $321,400 | 58.8% | 29.8% |
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 17.4% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Gary is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 68,113. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gary is 36.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Gary has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gary is $38,731. This is 46% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.1%. This is 168% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 156% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $94,700. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Gary is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gary is Black or African American, making up 75.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.4%) is well below the state average of 75.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (75.7% vs 9.1%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gary, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gary, Indiana?
Gary, Indiana has a population of 68,113 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gary, IN?
The median household income in Gary is $38,731, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gary, IN?
The poverty rate in Gary is 33.1%. This means approximately 22,346 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gary, Indiana?
Gary's population is 9.4% White, 75.7% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gary, IN?
The median home value in Gary is $94,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Gary, Indiana?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Gary hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.