Gary city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Gary city, Indiana has a total population of 68,604, the 11th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $37,380, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.0% is notably above the national average.
Gary city Quick Facts
How Gary city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gary city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Gary city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie city | 64,739 | $43,395 | $92,000 | 25.7% | 29.6% |
| Lafayette city | 70,650 | $52,946 | $157,600 | 28.1% | 17.1% |
| Terre Haute city | 58,491 | $41,960 | $109,500 | 23.1% | 26.7% |
| Bloomington city | 78,791 | $48,918 | $289,700 | 60.0% | 30.5% |
| Hammond city | 77,098 | $53,950 | $141,700 | 15.4% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Gary city is a mid-sized community located in Indiana. The total population is 68,604. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gary city is 36.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Gary city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gary city is $37,380. This is 47% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 170% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. 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 13.0%. This is 202% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $85,300. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Gary city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gary city is Black or African American, making up 76.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.3%) is well below the state average of 76.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (76.0% vs 9.1%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gary city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gary city, Indiana?
Gary city, Indiana has a population of 68,604 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gary city, IN?
The median household income in Gary city is $37,380, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Gary city, IN?
The poverty rate in Gary city is 32.9%. This means approximately 22,379 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gary city, Indiana?
Gary city's population is 10.3% White, 76.0% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gary city, IN?
The median home value in Gary city is $85,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Gary city, Indiana?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Gary city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.