Gary, IN Local Data & Statistics

State: IN

Total population: 68,113 Household income: $38,731 Rent: $1,012

Overview

Total population

68,113

Rent

$1,012

Year built

1957

Household income

$38,731

Per capita income

$23,453

Poverty rate

33.1%

Unemployment rate

9.2%

Household size

2.5 persons

Rent over 30% of income

48.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Indiana

Total population

68,113

Adults over 25

43,349

Total households

27,227

Household size

2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$38,731

Per capita income

$23,453

Poverty rate

33.1%

Unemployment rate

9.2%

Rent over 30% of income

48.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,012

Year built

1957

Households that rent

50.9%

Households that own

49.1%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

11%

Black

76.2%

Asian

0.4%

Two or more races

7.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

10.4%

Not Hispanic or Latino

89.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

93.4%

Commute time to work

26 mins

Work from home

6.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

36.1%

High school graduate or GED

37.1%

Some college or associate degree

12%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

14.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Gary, IN with: Indiana United States

Gary, IN

Total population68,113

Rent$1,012

Year built1957

Household income$38,731

Per capita income$23,453

Poverty rate33.1%

Unemployment rate9.2%

Indiana State

Total population6,851,073

Rent$1,062

Year built1976

Household income$71,957

Per capita income$38,351

Poverty rate12.3%

Unemployment rate4.2%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityGary, IN	StateIndiana	CountryUnited States
Total population	68,113	6,851,073	334,922,499
Rent	$1,012	$1,062	$1,413
Year built	1957	1976	1980
Household income	$38,731	$71,957	$80,734
Per capita income	$23,453	$38,351	$44,673
Poverty rate	33.1%	12.3%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	9.2%	4.2%	4%

View the complete comparison of Gary, IN, Indiana and United States →

Summary for Gary, IN

Gary is located in Indiana.

Rent & Income

In Gary, the typical monthly rent is $1,012 and the typical household income is $38,731. Rent here is similar to Indiana and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Indiana and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 33.1%, which is higher than in both Indiana and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 50.9% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 48.1% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Only about 14.8% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, indicating lower levels of formal education. The local unemployment rate is 9.2%, which is higher than both Indiana and the national rate.

Gary, IN — Rent vs Household Income

Gary, IN — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Gary, IN compares in Indiana (21 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,012	8 / 21	from lower rent	$904 – $1,712
Household income	$38,731	21 / 21	from higher income	$38,731 – $141,505
Poverty rate	33.1%	21 / 21	from lower poverty	3.6% – 33.1%
Unemployment rate	9.2%	21 / 21	from lower unemployment	3% – 9.2%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Indiana with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Gary, IN

Rent

When it comes to rent costs, Gary places 8th among 21 large places in Indiana. Across the state, rents run from $904 in Muncie, IN up to $1,712 in Carmel, IN.

Household income

Looking at household income, Gary places 21st out of 21 significant areas. Incomes across Indiana range between $38,731 in Gary, IN and $141,505 in Carmel, IN.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Gary ranks 21st out of 21 large places. Statewide rates vary from 3.6% in Westfield, IN to 33.1% in Gary, IN.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Gary is ranked 21st out of 21 major areas. Across Indiana, rates go from 3% in Fishers, IN up to 9.2% in Gary, IN.

💰 Rent in Gary, IN (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,012 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Gary, IN

Annual Household Income: $38,731

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Gary, IN

Estimated Rate: 33.1%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Gary, IN

In Gary, IN, households that rent: 13,871 (50.9%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	13,871	50.9%
Owner-Occupied	13,356	49.1%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Gary, IN

In Gary, IN, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 6,673 (48.1%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	6,673	48.1%
Other renter households	7,198	51.9%
Total renter households	13,871	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Gary, IN

Less than High School: 15,638 people (36.1%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 16,089 people (37.1%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 5,206 people (12%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 6,416 people (14.8%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 43,349

📊 Unemployment Rate in Gary, IN

Estimated Rate: 9.2%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Jackson, TN68,098 Union City, CA68,141 Eagan, MN68,158 Shawnee, KS68,175 Weston, FL67,952 Albany, GA67,939 Leander, TX67,880 Apex, NC67,765 Portland, ME68,505 Schenectady, NY68,521

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.