Indiana

Gary, Indiana Population in 2024 – Latest Census Data and Analysis – Indiana Environmental Reporter

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1 year ago

July 22, 2024

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Gary, Indiana Population in 2024 – Latest Census Data and Analysis – Indiana Environmental Reporter

Gary, Indiana, a city known for its industrial history, has seen significant demographic shifts over the years.

The industrial decline is a major reason for the significant changes we can see today.

Let us talk about Gary, Indiana’s population in 2024 in greater detail.

Population Overview

Gary, Indiana’s population, as of 2024, is 67,199.

The city has experienced a significant decline of the population in the last couple of decades after a massive rise during the first few decades of the 20th century.

Year	Population
1910	16,802
1920	55,378
1930	100,426
1940	111,719
1950	133,911
1960	178,320
1970	175,415
1980	151,968
1990	116,646
2000	102,746
2010	80,294
2020	69,093

Race demographics are one of the major shifts the city has experienced during that period. Today, it looks like this:

Race/Ethnicity	Percentage (%)
Black or African American	77.56
White	13.08
American Indian and Alaska Native	0.11
Asian	0.26
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0.01
Some other race	2.59
Two or more races (multiracial)	6.39

Age and Gender Distribution

The median age in Gary is 36.9 years, indicating a relatively young population.

The age group distribution shows a balanced representation of different age brackets, with a noticeable number of young adults and middle-aged residents.

It basically looks like this:

Age Group	Male	Female
Under 5 years	2,691	2,174
5 to 9 years	2,674	3,113
10 to 14 years	2,781	2,448
15 to 19 years	2,264	2,427
20 to 24 years	2,016	2,264
25 to 29 years	1,782	2,140
30 to 34 years	1,723	2,345
35 to 39 years	2,171	2,039
40 to 44 years	1,280	2,438
45 to 49 years	1,621	1,584
50 to 54 years	2,104	2,008
55 to 59 years	1,957	1,943
60 to 64 years	1,806	2,555
65 to 69 years	1,857	2,688
70 to 74 years	1,525	1,837
75 to 79 years	754	1,114
80 to 84 years	719	828
85 years and over	481	985

The gender ratio is relatively even, reflecting a typical urban demographic.

A balanced age and gender distribution has implications for the city’s labor market, educational services, and healthcare needs.

Economic Indicators

Gary residents need an annual income of $50,160 or an hourly wage of $24.12 to afford a two-bedroom home.

In stark contrast, the median household income in the city is significantly lower at $36,153. This disparity underscores the financial strain on many families trying to secure adequate housing.

The high cost of living relative to income levels highlights the urgent need for affordable housing initiatives and economic support for residents.

Poverty Rate

The poverty rate in Gary is alarmingly high, with 27.9% of families living below the poverty line.

This statistic reflects the broader economic challenges faced by the community and points to a critical need for targeted poverty alleviation programs.

Economic development strategies and support services are essential to help lift families out of poverty and provide a more stable financial foundation for the city’s residents.

Employment and Major Industries

Employment status in Gary varies, with key industries providing most of the job opportunities. The major sectors include:

Manufacturing:
- Traditionally a cornerstone of Gary’s economy, manufacturing continues to provide numerous jobs, although the sector has seen fluctuations in employment levels due to broader economic trends and automation.
Healthcare:
- This sector is a vital part of the local economy, offering a range of employment opportunities from direct patient care to administrative roles.
Retail:
- Retail jobs provide employment for many residents, though these positions often come with lower wages and less job security compared to other sectors.

Economic Challenges and Policy Implications

The city’s economic indicators underscore the importance of several strategic initiatives:

Job Creation:
- Developing policies that attract new businesses and support existing ones is crucial for creating more job opportunities.
Workforce Development:
- Enhancing the skills and employability of the workforce through education and training programs is vital.
Economic Policies:
- Implementing policies aimed at reducing poverty and increasing household income is essential.

Improving Quality of Life

Addressing these economic challenges is crucial for improving the quality of life for Gary’s residents.

By focusing on job creation, workforce development, and effective economic policies, the city can work towards reducing poverty rates and increasing household incomes.

These efforts are essential for building a more prosperous and equitable community.

Housing and Living Conditions

The homeownership rate in Gary serves as a crucial indicator of economic stability and community investment.

High homeownership rates typically correlate with a stronger local economy and more engaged residents, as homeowners are more likely to invest in their properties and the surrounding community.

Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units

The median value of owner-occupied housing units in Gary reflects the city’s housing market conditions.

The metric helps assess the affordability and desirability of living in Gary, which can influence population growth and economic development.

A higher median value often indicates a robust housing market, while a lower median value may highlight affordability issues or economic challenges.

Average Commute Time

The average commute time for residents provides insight into the city’s transportation infrastructure and access to employment opportunities.

Shorter commute times generally suggest better infrastructure and closer proximity to job centers, enhancing residents’ quality of life by reducing the time spent traveling and increasing work-life balance.

Importance of Housing and Living Conditions

Understanding housing and living conditions is vital for developing policies that promote:

Affordable Housing:
- Ensuring that housing costs remain within reach for all residents, especially those with lower incomes.
Improved Living Standards:
- Enhancing the quality of housing and access to essential services to improve residents’ overall well-being.
Community Well-being:
- Creating a supportive environment that fosters community engagement and social cohesion.

Impact on Seniors

Nearly 13,000 Gary residents are aged 65 or older, a population disproportionately affected by the housing crisis.

Seniors often face fixed incomes and rising healthcare costs, making affordable and stable housing even more critical.

Addressing the housing needs of this demographic is essential for their well-being and the overall health of the community.

Quality of Life

These factors—homeownership rates, housing values, commute times, and the housing needs of seniors—play a significant role in shaping the quality of life in Gary.

By focusing on these areas, policymakers can develop strategies that enhance living conditions, promote economic stability, and foster a thriving community.

Summary

The demographic analysis of Gary, Indiana, reveals key insights into the city’s population trends, economic indicators, and living conditions.

These findings have important implications for local policy and future planning efforts aimed at revitalizing Gary and improving the well-being of its residents.

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Indiana

Freshmen from Indiana show potential in UConn-Butler game: ‘Heck of a player’

Published

9 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Freshmen from Indiana show potential in UConn-Butler game: ‘Heck of a player’

Former UConn forward, NBC Sports broadcaster Donny Marshall knows a thing or two about talented UConn guards.

The former Husky played for legendary coach Jim Calhoun and was teammates with the fifth pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, 10-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen. Watching UConn play against Butler on Tuesday night, Marshall said he sees a lot of Allen in reigning Indiana Mr. Basketball Braylon Mullins.

Mullins made the second start of his career against the Bulldogs. The former Greenfield-Central star missed UConn’s first six games of the regular season with an injury, but the 6-foot-6 guard is quickly coming into his own and showing why he’s a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Against Butler, Mullins showed off his sweet jump shot, going 2 for 5 from 3-point range. He finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.

“He’s a scorer,” Butler coach Thad Matta said of Mullins. “He’s got a scorer’s mentality. He gets his shot off quick. They move him around and create some angles for him. Obviously, he’s a heck of a player.”

Mullins did most of his damage in the first half, scoring eight of his 12 points before halftime. The former five-star recruit was the highest-ranked player in UConn’s 2025 class. Butler’s top-ranked recruit, Azavier “Stink” Robinson isn’t the NBA prospect Mullins is, but he held his own after a shaky start to the game.

Robinson has been thrust into the starting lineup with starter Jalen Jackson out for the season with an ankle injury. Robinson looked out of sorts at times in the first half, going scoreless with two assists and a turnover. In the second half, Matta moved him off the ball, giving him catch-and-shoot looks, and opportunities to drive to the basket without worrying about running the offense.

The former Lawrence North star responded with one of the better halves of his career, scoring 10 points on 3 for 6 shooting, including 2 for 5 from 3 to go along with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one turnover.

Facing a veteran team like UConn, nothing comes easy. UConn’s guards harass ball handlers and getting into an offensive set is not easy. This time last year, Robinson was still in high school and, on most nights, the most athletic player on the court. Playing a UConn team where the goal is a national championship, Robinson was forced to grow, and he did not back down from the challenge in the second half.

“He’s coming along,” Matta said of Robinson. “That’s the first Big East road game of his career against maybe the best team in the country. It tells you how tough he is. He’s resilient. He keeps going.”

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Indiana

Indiana's Curt Cignetti becomes the first back-to-back winner of AP coach of the year

Published

21 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Indiana's Curt Cignetti becomes the first back-to-back winner of AP coach of the year

Curt Cignetti has been named The Associated Press coach of the year in college football for the second consecutive season. He is the first coach to win the award back-to-back since it was first presented in 1998. Cignetti has led Indiana to unprecedented success, with a 24-2 record over two seasons. The Hoosiers are 13-0 this year, Big Ten champions for the first time since 1967, and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Cignetti received 47 first-place votes. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea received two each, and Virginia’s Tony Elliott got one.

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Indiana

Central Indiana schools announce closures, delays planned for Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Central Indiana schools announce closures, delays planned for Tuesday

INDIANAPOLIS — Some schools in central Indiana are planning to close or delay the start of their classes on Tuesday.

The closures and delays come in the wake of a difficult weekend of severe winter weather in the Hoosier State. On Saturday, a wintry system dumped more than six inches of snow in some portions of the state.

Points north of Indianapolis like Lafayette received between three and four inches of snow. Towns south of the Circle City like Seymour saw similar snowfall totals. As for Indianapolis itself, more than five inches of snow were recorded in some portions of the city.

After Saturday’s snow, frigid temperatures took hold in the area. A Cold Weather Advisory was issued for much of the state as wind chill values dipped well below zero.

The cold and snow triggered a bevy of school closings and delays for Monday. Schools began to announce delays and closures for Tuesday late Monday night as snow removal crews across the state continued to try to keep roadways clear.

Though some schools plan to close or delay the start of classes on Tuesday, temperature improvements are forecasted. High temperatures are anticipated to exceed the 32-degree freezing threshold and hit 36 degrees. The warming trend is expected to continue on both Wednesday and Thursday, with high temperatures forecasted to reach 40 and 50 degrees, respectively.

Precipitation is forecasted for Thursday, though temperatures are expected to remain warm enough for Indiana to get rain instead of snow.

FOX59/CBS4 is tracking the closures and delays schools plan to implement on Tuesday. Check out the latest available list of closings below:

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