Gary city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Gary city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 858. It ranks as the 167th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gary city is 45.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Gary city is $40,000. This is 31% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 4.3%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $55,600. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Gary city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Gary city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 3.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.0%.

Education

3.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Gary city, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.