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Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
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Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 69,093 at the 2020 census,[4] making it Indiana's eleventh-most populous city. The city has been historically dominated by major industrial activity and is home to U.S. Steel's Gary Works, the largest steel mill complex in North America.

Key Information

Gary is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of downtown Chicago. The city is the western gateway to the Indiana Dunes National Park, and is within the Chicago metropolitan area.[6][7]

Gary was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary, who was the founding chairman of the United States Steel Corporation. U.S. Steel had established the city in 1906 as a company town to serve its steel mills.[8] Since the 1970s, Gary and other Rust Belt cities have lost a high number of people as the steel industry has gone through restructuring and manufacturing jobs moved offshore. As a result of this economic shift, the city's population has declined 61% since the 1960 census.[9]

Although initially a very diverse city, Gary currently has one of the nation's highest percentages of African Americans.[10] Between 1970 and 2010, Gary had the nation's highest Black population per capita.[11] The city has a legacy of African-American cultural and historical accomplishments. In 1945, Gary was the first city in the Midwest (and one of the first in the United States) to fully integrate its public school system.[12] It elected the country's first Black mayor, Richard Hatcher in 1968, and in 1972 hosted the first and largest National Black Political Convention.

Gary is served by the Gary/Chicago International Airport, an alternative to the Chicago region's two larger airports. The city's public transport is provided by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation and the South Shore Line passenger railway, which connects to the Chicago transit system.

It is home to a professional baseball team, the Gary SouthShore RailCats. In addition to its large steel mills, the city is known as the birthplace of the Jackson family, well-known entertainers whose members include singer Michael Jackson.[13]

History

[edit]

Founding and early years

[edit]
Further information: Gary Plan
5th Ave. and Broadway in 1908

Gary, Indiana, was founded in 1906 by the U.S. Steel corporation as the home for its new plant, Gary Works. The city was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary, who was the founding chairman of the United States Steel Corporation.[14]

Gary was the site of civil unrest in the 1919 General Steel Strike. On October 4, 1919, a riot broke out on Broadway, the main north–south street through downtown Gary, between steel workers and strike breakers brought in from outside. Indiana governor James P. Goodrich declared martial law three days later. Shortly after that, over 4,000 federal troops under the command of Major General Leonard Wood arrived to restore order.[15]

The steel industry's jobs provided Gary with rapid growth and a diverse population within the first 26 years of its founding. According to the 1920 United States census, 29.7% of Gary's population at the time was classified as foreign-born, mostly from eastern European countries, with another 30.8% classified as native-born with at least one foreign-born parent. By the 1930 United States census, the first census in which Gary's population exceeded 100,000, the city was the fifth largest in Indiana and comparable in size to South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. At that time, 78.7% of the population was classified as white, with 19.3% as foreign-born and another 25.9% as native-born with at least one foreign-born parent. In addition to white internal migrants, Gary had attracted numerous African-American migrants from the South in the Great Migration, and 17.8% of the population was classified as black. Some 3.5% were classified as Mexican (now likely to be identified as Hispanic, as they included citizens and immigrants of other Spanish-speaking ethnicities).[16]

Post-World War II

[edit]
U.S. Steel's Gary Works in 1973

Gary's fortunes have risen and fallen with those of the steel industry. The growth of the steel industry brought prosperity to the community, and industrial workers gained middle-class standards of living. Broadway was known as a commercial center for the region. Department stores and architecturally significant movie houses were built in the downtown and Glen Park neighborhoods.

But in the 1960s, as manufacturing jobs moved offshore, Gary entered a period of decline. This also occurred in many other American urban centers that were reliant on one particular industry. Gary's decline was brought on by reduced employment in the steel industry overall, which caused U.S. Steel to lay off many workers from the Gary area.

The U.S. Steel Gary Works employed over 30,000 in 1970; the workforce declined to 6,000 by 1990, and to 5,100 by August 2015. Attempts to shore up the city's economy with major construction projects, such as a Holiday Inn hotel and the Genesis Convention Center, failed to reverse the decline.[17][18]

1968 riots

[edit]
See also: King assassination riots and 1968 Chicago riots

In July 1968, riots broke out in Gary following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The governor ordered 3,000 National Guard members to assist local police with restoring order to the city. Curfews were enforced, and a ban on gasoline and liquor sales helped calm the violence. During the unrest, more than 110 people were arrested, at least three stores were set on fire, and at least 15 fire-bombings were reported.[19]

Racial changes

[edit]

A rapid racial change occurred in Gary during the late 20th century. Political power reflected Gary's racial demographics: the Black and Hispanic share of the city's population increased from 21% in 1930 to 39% in 1960, and to 53% in 1970. Black and Hispanic people primarily lived in the Midtown section just south of downtown (per the 1950 Census, 97% of Gary's black population lived in this neighborhood).

Gary voters elected one of the nation's first African-American mayors, Richard G. Hatcher, and hosted the groundbreaking 1972 National Black Political Convention.[20]

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Gary had the highest percentage of African-American residents among U.S. cities with a population of 100,000 or more, 84% (as of the 2000 census).

The city's population has fallen well below 100,000 residents. In 2013, the Gary Department of Redevelopment estimated that one-third of all homes in the city were unoccupied and/or abandoned.[21]

U.S. Steel

[edit]

U.S. Steel continues to be a major steel producer but has a small fraction of its previous workforce.

While Gary has been unable to establish or replace the manufacturing base, it has worked to diversify. Two casinos opened along the Gary lakeshore in the 1990s, to create an entertainment destination. Their success has been adversely affected by the state closing Cline Avenue, an important means of access to the area.

Today, Gary faces the difficulties of a Rust Belt city, including high unemployment and decaying infrastructure.[citation needed]

21st century

[edit]

Gary has closed 21 public schools.[22] While some school buildings have been reused, most remain unused since closing. As of 2014, Gary is considering closing additional schools in response to budget deficits.[23][24]

Gary Chief of Police Thomas Houston was convicted of excessive force and abuse of authority in 2008. He died in 2010 while serving a three-year, five-month federal prison sentence.[25][26]

In April 2011, 75-year-old mayor Rudolph M. Clay announced that he would suspend his campaign for reelection as he was being treated for prostate cancer. He endorsed rival Karen Freeman-Wilson, who won the Democratic mayoral primary in May 2011.[27] Freeman-Wilson won election with 87 percent of the vote and her term began in January 2012; she is the first woman elected mayor in the city's history.[28] She was reelected in 2015.[29] She was defeated in her bid for a third term in the 2019 Democratic primary by Lake County Assessor Jerome Prince. Since no challengers filed for the November 2019 general election, Prince's nomination was effectively tantamount to election. He officially succeeded Freeman-Wilson on January 1, 2020, two days after being sworn in as the city's 21st mayor on December 30, 2019.[30][31]

In May 2021, a $300 million Hard Rock Casino opened in the city. Branded as Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the location includes memorabilia from the local entertainment family, the Jackson 5, and a 1,950-seat Hard Rock Live performance hall.[32]

Geography

[edit]
Aerial view of Gary International Airport (lower right corner) and East Chicago
The Chicago skyline viewed across Lake Michigan from Lake Street Beach in Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood

The city is located at the southern end of the former lake bed of the prehistoric Lake Chicago and the current Lake Michigan. Most of the city's soil, nearly one foot below the surface, is pure sand. The sand beneath Gary and on its beaches is of such volume and quality that for over a century, companies have mined it, especially for the manufacture of glass.[33]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.663 square miles (131.22 km2), of which 49.932 square miles (129.32 km2) is land and 0.731 square miles (1.89 km2) is water.[2]

Gary is T-shaped, with its northern border on Lake Michigan. In the northwesternmost section, Gary borders Hammond and East Chicago; 165th Street, one of several roads connecting Hammond and Gary, has been walled off from Gary since 1981, initially due to a toxic flood.[34] Miller Beach, Gary's easternmost neighborhood, borders Lake Station and Portage. Gary's southernmost section borders Griffith, Hobart, Merrillville, and unincorporated Ross. Gary is about 30 miles (48 km) from the Chicago Loop.[35]

Gary contains the western portion of Indiana Dunes National Park, including Miller Woods,[36] the western part of Long Lake, and the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education.[37] Much of this is within Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood, although the park's western tip extends to downtown Gary.[38]

Climate

[edit]

Gary is listed by the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system as humid continental (Dfa). In July and August, the warmest months, high temperatures average 84 °F (29 °C) and peak just above 100 °F (38 °C), and low temperatures average 63 °F (17 °C). In January and February, the coldest months, high temperatures average around 29 °F (−2 °C) and low temperatures average 13 °F (−11 °C), with at least a few days of temperatures dipping below 0 °F (−18 °C).

The weather in Gary is greatly regulated by its proximity to Lake Michigan. Weather varies yearly. In the summer months Gary is humid. The city's yearly precipitation averages about 40 inches. Summer is the rainiest season. Winters vary but are predominantly snowy. Snowfall in Gary averages approximately 25 inches per year. Sometimes large blizzards hit because of "lake effect snow", a phenomenon whereby large amounts of water evaporated from the lake deposit onto the shoreline areas as inordinate amounts of snow.

Climate data for Gary, Indiana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21) 		70
(21) 		81
(27) 		92
(33) 		100
(38) 		106
(41) 		104
(40) 		102
(39) 		103
(39) 		92
(33) 		84
(29) 		67
(19) 		106
(41)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 31.5
(−0.3) 		35.2
(1.8) 		44.7
(7.1) 		58.4
(14.7) 		69.1
(20.6) 		79.6
(26.4) 		83.8
(28.8) 		82.5
(28.1) 		75.5
(24.2) 		64.6
(18.1) 		48.5
(9.2) 		35.8
(2.1) 		59.1
(15.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16.5
(−8.6) 		19.9
(−6.7) 		29.0
(−1.7) 		40.0
(4.4) 		49.7
(9.8) 		59.9
(15.5) 		64.9
(18.3) 		63.9
(17.7) 		56.0
(13.3) 		45.7
(7.6) 		33.2
(0.7) 		21.9
(−5.6) 		41.7
(5.4)
Record low °F (°C) −22
(−30) 		−10
(−23) 		−6
(−21) 		17
(−8) 		25
(−4) 		36
(2) 		46
(8) 		43
(6) 		33
(1) 		20
(−7) 		−1
(−18) 		−17
(−27) 		−22
(−30)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.8
(46) 		1.7
(43) 		3.3
(84) 		3.7
(94) 		3.8
(97) 		4.5
(110) 		3.5
(89) 		3.4
(86) 		3.9
(99) 		2.6
(66) 		2.5
(64) 		3.0
(76) 		37.8
(960)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 7.8
(20) 		5.4
(14) 		3.0
(7.6) 		0.7
(1.8) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0.2
(0.51) 		1.7
(4.3) 		5.9
(15) 		24.7
(63)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9 9 11 12 12 10 9 8 9 8 10 9 116
Source 1: Weatherbase[39]
Source 2: [40]

Neighborhoods

[edit]
Map of Gary; gray represents the industrial corridor.

Downtown

[edit]
Gary City Hall

Downtown Gary is separated by Broadway into two distinctive communities. Originally, the City of Gary consisted of The East Side, The West Side, The South Side (the area south of the train tracks near 9th Avenue), and Glen Park, located further South along Broadway. The East Side was demarcated by streets named after the States in order of their acceptance into the Union. This area contained mostly wood-frame houses, some of the earliest in the city, and became known in the 20th century for its ethnic populations from Europe and large families. The single-family houses had repeating house designs that alternated from one street to another, with some streets looking very similar. Among the East Side's most notable buildings were Memorial Auditorium (a large red-brick and stone civic auditorium and the site of numerous events, concerts and graduations), The Palace Theater, Emerson School, St. Luke's Church, H.C. Gordon & Sons, and Goldblatt's Department stores, in addition to the Fair Department Store. All fronted Broadway as the main street that divided Gary.

The West Side of Gary, or West of Broadway, the principal commercial street, had streets named after the presidents of the United States in order of their election. Lytton's, Hudson's ladies store, J.C. Penney, and Radigan Bros Furniture Store developed on the west side of Broadway. Developed later, this side of town was known for its masonry or brick residences, its taller and larger commercial buildings, including the Gary National Bank Building, Hotel Gary (now Genesis Towers), The Knights of Columbus Hotel & Building (now affordable housing fronting 5th Avenue), the Tivoli Theater (demolished), the U.S. Post Office, Main Library, Mercy and Methodist Hospitals and Holy Angels Cathedral and School. The West Side also had a secondary principal street, Fifth Avenue, which was lined with many commercial businesses, restaurants, theaters, tall buildings, and elegant apartment buildings. The West Side was viewed as having wealthier residents. The houses dated from about 1908 to the 1930s. Much of the West Side's housing were for executives of U.S. Steel and other prominent businessmen. Notable mansions were 413 Tyler Street and 636 Lincoln Street. Many of the houses were on larger lots. By contrast, a working-class area was made up of row houses made of poured concrete which were arranged together and known as "Mill Houses"; they were built to house steel mill workers.

'I Love Gary' – Pop Up Arts Display Gateway Park (2019)

The areas known as Emerson and Downtown West combine to form Downtown Gary. It was developed in the 1920s and houses several pieces of impressive architecture, including the Moe House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and another, the Wynant House (1917), which was destroyed by fire. A significant number of older structures have been demolished in recent years because of the cost of restoration. Restructuring of the steel and other heavy industry in the late 20th century resulted in a loss of jobs, adversely affecting the city.

City Methodist Church as it appeared in 2009

Abandoned buildings in the downtown area include historic structures such as Union Station, the Palace Theater, and City Methodist Church. A large area of the downtown neighborhood (including City Methodist) was devastated by a major fire on October 12, 1997.[41][42] Interstate 90 was constructed between downtown Gary and the United States Steel plant.

West

[edit]
Homes in the Combs Addition Historic District of the Ambridge Mann neighborhood

Ambridge Mann is a neighborhood located on Gary's near west side along 5th Avenue. Ambridge was developed for workers at the nearby steel plant in the 1910s and 1920s. It is named after the American Bridge Works, which was a subsidiary of U.S. Steel. The neighborhood is home to a huge stock of prairie-style and art deco homes. The Gary Masonic Temple was located in the neighborhood, along with the Ambassador apartment building. Located just south of Interstate 90, the neighborhood can be seen while passing Buchanan Street.

Brunswick is located on Gary's far west side. The neighborhood is located just south of Interstate 90 and can also be seen from the expressway. The Brunswick area includes the Tri-City Plaza shopping center on West 5th Avenue (U.S. 20). The area is south of the Gary Chicago International Airport.

Downtown West is located in north-central Gary on the west side of Broadway just south of Interstate 90. The Genesis Convention Center, the Gary Police Department, the Lake Superior Court House, and the Main Branch of the Gary Public Library are located along 5th Avenue. A new 123-unit mixed-income apartment development was built using a HUD HOPE VI grant in 2006. The Adam Benjamin Metro Center is located just north of 4th Avenue. It is operated by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation and serves as a multi-modal hub. It serves both as the Downtown Gary South Shore train station and an intercity bus stop.

Tolleston is one of Gary's oldest neighborhoods, predating much of the rest of the city. It was platted by George Tolle in 1857 when the railroads were constructed in this area. This area is west of Midtown and south of Ambridge Mann. Tarrytown is a subdivision located in Tolleston between Whitcomb Street and Clark Road.

South

[edit]
Broadway in the Glen Park neighborhood

Black Oak is located on the far southwest side of Gary, in the vicinity of the Burr Street exit to the Borman Expressway. It was annexed in the 1970s. Prior to that, Black Oak was an unincorporated area informally associated with Hammond, and the area has Hammond telephone numbers. After three referendums, the community voters approved annexation, having been persuaded by Mayor Hatcher that they would benefit more from services provided by the city than from those provided by the county. In the 21st century, it is the only majority-white neighborhood in Gary.

Glen Park is located on Gary's far south side and is made up mostly of mid-twentieth-century houses. Glen Park is divided from the remainder of the city by the Borman Expressway. The northern portion of Glen Park is home to Gary's Gleason Park Golf Course and the campus of Indiana University Northwest. The far western portion of Glen Park is home to the Village Shopping Center. Glen Park includes the 37th Avenue corridor at Broadway.

Midtown is located south of Downtown Gary, along Broadway. In the pre-1960s days of de facto segregation, this developed historically as a "black" neighborhood as African Americans came to Gary from the rural South in the Great Migration to seek jobs in the industrial economy.

North and East

[edit]
Commercial district in the Miller Beach neighborhood

Aetna is located on Gary's far east side along the Dunes Highway. Aetna predates the city of Gary. This company town was founded in 1881 by the Aetna Powder Works, an explosives company. Their factory closed after the end of World War I.

The Town of Aetna was annexed by Gary in 1928, around the same time that the city annexed the Town of Miller. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Gary's prosperous industries helped generate residential and other development in Aetna, resulting in an impressive collection of art deco architecture. The rest of the community was built after World War II and the Korean War in the 1950s, in a series of phases. On its south and east, Aetna borders the undeveloped floodplain of the Little Calumet River.

Emerson is located in north-central Gary on the east side of Broadway. Located just south of Interstate 90, Gary City Hall is located in Emerson, along with the Indiana Department of Social Services building and the Calumet Township Trustee's office. A 6,000-seat minor league baseball stadium for the Gary SouthShore RailCats, U.S. Steel Yard, was constructed in 2002, along with contiguous commercial space and minor residential development.

Miller Beach, also known simply as Miller, is on Gary's far northeast side. Settled in the 1850s and incorporated as an independent town in 1907, Miller was annexed by the city of Gary in 1918. Miller developed around the old stagecoach stop and train station known by the 1850s as Miller's Junction and/or Miller's Station. Miller Beach is racially and economically diverse. It attracts investor interest due to the many year-round and summer homes within walking distance of Marquette Park and Lake Michigan. Prices for lakefront property are affordable compared to those in Illinois suburban communities. Lake Street provides shopping and dining options for Miller Beach visitors and residents. East Edge, a development of 28 upscale condominium, townhome, and single-family homes, began construction in 2007 at the eastern edge of Miller Beach along County Line Road, one block south of Lake Michigan.[43]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191016,802—
192055,378229.6%
1930100,66681.8%
1940111,71911.0%
1950133,91119.9%
1960178,32033.2%
1970175,415−1.6%
1980151,968−13.4%
1990116,646−23.2%
2000102,746−11.9%
201080,294−21.9%
202069,093−13.9%
2023 (est.)67,652[5]−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[44]
2020 Census[4]

The change in the economy and resulting loss of jobs has caused a drop in population by nearly two thirds since its peak in 1960. Gary, along with St. Louis, have each lost more than two thirds of their peak populations.

2020 census

[edit]
Gary city, Indiana – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[45] Pop 2010[46] Pop 2020[47] % 2000 % 2010 2020
White alone (NH) 10,338 7,151 6,374 10.06% 8.91% 9.23%
Black or African American alone (NH) 85,704 67,363 54,660 83.41% 83.90% 79.11%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 162 197 112 0.16% 0.25% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 123 156 124 0.12% 0.19% 0.18%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 15 5 11 0.01% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 124 69 390 0.12% 0.09% 0.56%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 1,215 1,225 2,201 1.18% 1.53% 3.19%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,065 4,128 5,221 4.93% 5.14% 7.56%
Total 102,746 80,294 69,093 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 69,093 people, 28,610 households, and 16,459 families residing in the city.[48] The population density was 1,388.9 inhabitants per square mile (536.3/km2). There were 37,274 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 10.6% White, 80.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from some other races and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.6% of the population.[49] 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 7.0% were under 5 years of age, and 18.5% were 65 and older.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 80,294 people, 31,380 households, and 19,691 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,610.2 inhabitants per square mile (621.7/km2). There were 39,531 housing units at an average density of 792.7 per square mile (306.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.8% African American, 10.7% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.1% of the population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 8.9% of the population in 2010,[50] down from 39.1% in 1970.[51]

There were 31,380 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.2% were married couples living together, 30.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.23.

The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 102,746 people, 38,244 households, and 25,623 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,045.5 inhabitants per square mile (789.8/km2). There were 43,630 housing units at an average density of 868.6 per square mile (335.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.03% African American, 11.92% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.97% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.93% of the population.

There were 38,244 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.2% were married couples living together, 30.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,195, and the median income for a family was $32,205. Males had a median income of $34,992 versus $24,432 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,383. About 22.2% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

[edit]

Arts and film

[edit]
A Nightmare on Elm Street being filmed in Gary

Meredith Willson's 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man featured the song "Gary, Indiana", in which lead character (and con man) Professor Harold Hill wistfully recalls his purported hometown, then prosperous. Hill claims to be an alumnus of "Gary Conservatory of Music, Class of '05", but this is later revealed to be another of his lies. The City of Gary was not founded until 1906. Willson's musical, set in 1912, was adapted both as a film of the same name released in 1962, and as a television film, produced in 2003.

The 1996 urban film Original Gangstas was filmed in the city. It starred Gary native Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, and Isabel Sanford, among others. Since the early 2000s, Gary has been the setting for numerous films made by Hollywood filmmakers. In 2009, scenes for the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street were filmed in Gary.[52] Scenes from Transformers: Dark of the Moon wrapped up filming on August 16, 2010.[53]

The History Channel documentary Life After People was filmed in Gary, exploring areas that have deteriorated or been abandoned because of the loss of jobs and residents.[54]

In John Mellencamp's 1985 song, "Minutes to Memories", an old man on a bus, recalling his humble life, tells the young man beside him, "I worked my whole life in the steel mills of Gary."

On Beyoncé's 2024 Grammy Winning Album of the Year, Cowboy Carter, the song "YA YA", Gary is mentioned as the intermediary stop on a 3-city tour along the Chitlin' Circuit.

Historic places on the National Register

[edit]
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Lake County, Indiana

The following single properties and national historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Public libraries

[edit]
Gary Public Library and Cultural Center in 2019

The Gary Public Library System consists of the main library at 220 West 5th Avenue and several branches: Brunswick Branch, W. E. B. DuBois Branch, J. F. Kennedy Branch, Tolleston Branch, and Woodson Branch.[56] In March 2011, the Gary Library Board voted to close the main library on 5th Avenue and the Tolleston branch in what officials said was their best economic option. The main library closed at the end of 2011. The building now houses a museum.[57]

Lake County Public Library operates the Black Oak Branch at 5921 West 25th Avenue in the Gary city limits.[58] In addition, Indiana University Northwest operates the John W. Anderson Library on its campus.[59]

Sports

[edit]
U.S. Steel Yard, home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats

The following sports franchises are based in Gary:

Education

[edit]

Three school districts serve the city, and multiple charter schools are located within the city.

Public schools

[edit]

Most areas of Gary are within the Gary Community School Corporation. Other areas within the city are administered by Lake Ridge Schools Corporation,[62] which is the school system for the Black Oak neighborhood and unincorporated Calumet Township. Due to annexation law, Black Oak residents retained their original school system and were not required to attend Gary public schools. In 1927, it was mandated that Black students attend a separate high school.[63] A few parts of Gary to the southeast are in the River Forest Community School Corporation.[62]

Charter schools

[edit]

Charter schools in Indiana, including those in Gary, are granted charters by one of a small number of chartering institutions. Indiana charter schools are generally managed in cooperation between the chartering institution, a local board of parents and community members, salaried school administrators, and a management company. Charter schools in Gary as of 2011 include Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, Charter School of the Dunes, Gary Lighthouse Charter School (formerly Blessed Sacrament Parish and Grade School), and 21st Century Charter.

Higher education

[edit]
Indiana University Northwest

Gary is home to two regional state college campuses:

Media

[edit]

Newspapers

[edit]

Gary is served by two major newspapers based outside the city, and by a Gary-based, largely African-American interest paper. These papers provide regional topics, and cover events in Gary.

  • The Post-Tribune, originally the Gary Post-Tribune, is now based in the nearby town of Merrillville.
  • The Times, previously known as the Hammond Times. Offices and facilities for The Times are in nearby Munster.
  • The Gary Crusader, based in Gary and largely focused on African-American interests and readership
  • The INFO Newspaper, based in Gary and largely focused on African-American interests and readership
  • The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, based in Chicago, are also distributed in Gary.

Television and radio

[edit]

Gary is served by five local broadcasters plus government access and numerous Chicago area radio and TV stations, and by other nearby stations in Illinois and Indiana.

  • WPWR-TV (Channel 50) is the Chicago MyNetworkTV affiliate but is licensed to Gary. Studios and transmitters are co-located with WFLD's in Chicago, and are also owned by Fox Television Stations.
  • WYIN (Channel 56) is a PBS affiliate licensed to Gary. Their studios are in Merrillville.
  • WGVE (FM 88.7) is owned by the Gary Community School Corporation, and is used primarily as a teaching facility. Programming is maintained by students in the broadcast program at the Gary Career Center. WGVE also carries limited NPR programming.
  • WLTH (AM 1370) primarily carries talk programming, as well as other local programs.
  • WWCA (AM 1270) is a Relevant Radio owned-and-operated radio station, carrying programming from the Catholic-oriented Relevant Radio network.

Infrastructure

[edit]

Medical facilities

[edit]
  • Gary Community Health Center
  • Methodist Hospital

Gary Police Department

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Gary is served by the Gary Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff.

According to the ODMP, since 1912 to the present day, 16 officers and 1 K9 of the Gary Police Department have been killed in the line of duty.[64]

Fire department

[edit]
Historical photo of the Gary Fire Department in 1914

The Gary Fire Department (GFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Gary.[65]

Transportation

[edit]
Adam Benjamin Metro Center is the city's intermodal public transit center.

Notable people

[edit]

The Jacksons

[edit]
Michael Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, shortly after the singer's death in 2009

Gary is the hometown of the Jackson family, a family of musicians who influenced the sound of modern popular music. In 1950, Joseph and Katherine Jackson moved from East Chicago, Indiana[67] into their two-bedroom house at 2300 Jackson Street. They had married on November 5, 1949. Their entertainer children later recorded a song entitled "2300 Jackson Street" (1989). The Jackson children include:

Other notable people

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Gary, Indiana

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from Grokipedia
, is a city in , , situated on the southern shore of approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown . Founded in 1906 by the , it was developed as a planned industrial community to house workers for the , North America's largest complex. The city, named after U.S. Steel chairman Elbert H. Gary, grew rapidly amid the early 20th-century steel boom, achieving a peak population of 178,320 in 1960 as manufacturing jobs proliferated. However, from the 1970s onward—driven by foreign competition, automation, and reduced domestic demand—triggered massive job losses at , where employment fell from over 30,000 at its height to about 3,700 by 2024, resulting in economic stagnation, widespread property abandonment, and a population drop to 69,093 by the 2020 census. Despite these challenges, Gary retains its role as a hub for remaining steel production and holds historical significance as a emblem of American industrial ambition and subsequent decline.

History

Founding and Early Industrial Development

The United States Steel Corporation selected a site on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, approximately 30 miles southeast of Chicago, for its new integrated steel mill due to the area's access to water transportation via the lake, abundant sand for foundational stability, proximity to rail lines, and flat terrain amenable to large-scale construction. In 1905, U.S. Steel chairman Elbert H. Gary announced plans for the facility, which would embody modern industrial standards. The city of Gary was incorporated in 1906 as a company town to house mill workers and support operations, named in honor of Gary himself. Construction commenced on April 18, 1906, with the driving of the first stake at Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Gary Works, the flagship plant, began producing in October 1909, marking the onset of heavy industrialization and establishing Gary as a key node in the American industry. The Gary Land Company, a subsidiary, systematically developed infrastructure, including worker housing, utilities, and a grid-based urban layout designed for efficiency and expansion. Labor recruitment focused on European immigrants, drawn by job opportunities in the mills, leading to rapid demographic growth; by 1908, the neared 6,000, surging to 28,424 by the census. Early industrial expansion included continuous mill additions and technological upgrades, positioning Gary Works as one of the world's largest steel producers by the and fueling economic momentum through high-capacity operations that employed thousands in , transportation, and ancillary services. Population doubled to over 55,000 by 1920, reflecting the influx of workers supporting the burgeoning steel output. This phase solidified Gary's identity as a purpose-built industrial hub, with exerting significant control over and economic activity.

World War II and Postwar Boom

The entry of the into in December 1941 spurred a dramatic increase in steel production at 's , the world's largest integrated , to supply materials for military hardware including ships, tanks, and aircraft. This wartime demand revived Gary's economy from the stagnation of the , with mills operating at full capacity and incorporating women into roles previously held by men, such as grinding and operating machinery at the Billet Mill in 1943. Following the war's end in , the industry in Gary experienced a sustained boom driven by postwar reconstruction, suburban expansion, and surging demand for automobiles, appliances, and . Gary's grew from 111,719 in 1940 to 133,911 in 1950 and reached 178,320 by 1960, reflecting influxes of workers attracted by high-paying mill jobs. Steel output at peaked in 1953, underpinning the city's prosperity through the 1950s as unionized employment provided middle-class stability for diverse immigrant and migrating communities. This era marked Gary as a symbol of industrial might, with the employing tens of thousands and fueling regional growth, though underlying labor tensions and environmental costs from unchecked emissions began to emerge amid the economic highs.

Mid-20th Century Social Unrest and the 1968 Riots

During the post-World War II era, Gary experienced escalating racial tensions fueled by rapid demographic changes and persistent segregation. The black population, which had grown to approximately 30% by 1950 due to migration for jobs, faced de facto segregation in housing and schools despite formal desegregation policies adopted in 1946 following white student "hate strikes" at Froebel High School in 1945, where hundreds walked out to protest black enrollment. These strikes reflected white resistance to integration amid economic for jobs and neighborhoods, with black residents often confined to the Midtown area through restrictive covenants and practices that limited homeownership opportunities. Labor unions in the industry, while providing some interracial alliances, perpetuated by rules that disadvantaged newer black workers, contributing to grievances over unequal pay and promotions. By the 1960s, civil rights activism intensified in Gary, mirroring national trends but rooted in local issues like police mistreatment and school overcrowding in black areas. Protests targeted discriminatory hiring in city services and unequal allocation of municipal resources, with black leaders like Richard Hatcher, elected mayor in 1967 as one of the first African American mayors of a major U.S. city, advocating for reforms amid accusations of electoral intimidation. Despite Gary avoiding major violence immediately after 's April 4, 1968 assassination—unlike nearby —underlying frictions from poverty, unemployment spikes in the steel sector, and perceived institutional bias simmered, exacerbated by a history of interracial clashes over beach access and public facilities in the . The flashpoint came on July 28, 1968, when riots erupted in Gary's Midtown neighborhood after police arrested two youths, one accused of assaulting a white woman, prompting a crowd to hurl rocks and bottles at officers. The confrontation escalated into gunfire exchanges between rioters armed with rifles and police, resulting in of over 100 stores, of dozens of buildings, and at least one from wounds, with damages estimated in the millions. troops, numbering around 1,000, were deployed by Governor Roger Branigin to restore order after two days of chaos, marking a significant escalation from prior unrest but highlighting causal links to unaddressed policing practices and economic disparities rather than spontaneous disorder. The events underscored Gary's volatile social fabric, where steel-dependent prosperity masked deepening divides that would accelerate in subsequent years.

Deindustrialization and Economic Collapse

The deindustrialization of Gary began in earnest during the 1960s as the U.S. steel industry faced intensifying global competition, particularly from lower-cost producers in Japan and Europe, alongside rising energy costs following the 1973 oil embargo. U.S. Steel, the dominant employer in Gary Works—the world's largest steel mill at its peak—initiated significant downsizing, laying off thousands of workers as domestic steel production declined. By the 1970s and 1980s, recessions exacerbated the crisis, leading to plant idlings and permanent closures; for instance, the shutdown of Open-Hearth Furnace No. 4 in the late 1970s displaced approximately 2,500 jobs directly in Gary and 1,500 more regionally. Employment at Gary Works, which had exceeded 30,000 workers during the postwar era, plummeted to around 3,700 by the early 21st century, reflecting broader technological advancements like automation that reduced labor requirements even as output partially recovered. This industrial contraction triggered a cascading , with manufacturing's share of local jobs shrinking dramatically and failing to be offset by service-sector growth. Gary's , which peaked at 178,320 in 1960, began a steep decline, dropping to 151,953 by 1980 amid widespread layoffs and shutdowns that eroded the base and . rates soared, with real figures often exceeding official statistics due to discouraged workers exiting the labor force; by the 1980s, one-fifth of households fell below the poverty line in the wake of major downsizings. The loss of high-wage union jobs in —averaging far above national medians—compounded fiscal distress, as values collapsed and over 10,000 buildings were abandoned, symbolizing the city's shift from industrial powerhouse to emblem of decay. Persistent structural challenges, including rigid labor contracts and failure to modernize facilities swiftly enough against foreign imports, accelerated the downturn, as evidenced by output remaining 25-30% below peaks into the 2000s despite partial rebounds. governance responses, such as tax incentives for retention, proved insufficient against macroeconomic forces, leaving Gary with chronic poverty rates near 40% and labor force participation below 50% for adults by recent decades. These dynamics underscore how not only dismantled Gary's economic foundation but also fostered long-term dependency on federal aid, with manufacturing's eclipse linking directly to heightened welfare recipiency in Lake County during the and .

Racial Shifts, White Flight, and Demographic Changes

In the mid-20th century, Gary underwent a profound racial demographic transformation, shifting from a predominantly white population of European immigrants and their descendants to one dominated by who migrated from the South during the Great Migration for industrial jobs. By the 1960 census, whites constituted approximately 61% of the population, while blacks accounted for 39%, reflecting a total of about 178,000 residents. This marked a significant increase in the black share from earlier decades, driven by postwar labor demands at and other mills, though residential segregation confined most black residents to Midtown and similar areas until federal fair housing policies took effect. The pivotal shift to black majority status occurred by 1970, when census data showed whites at 46.7% and blacks at 52.8%, amid a slight population dip to around 175,000. White flight accelerated this change, as middle-class white families—often with access to suburban housing via FHA-backed loans and highway expansion—relocated to nearby townships like Merrillville, citing concerns over school integration, busing mandates, and escalating street crime following the 1968 riots. The election of Richard Hatcher as Gary's first black mayor in 1967, while a milestone for civil rights, coincided with intensified outflows, as white taxpayers departed, eroding the municipal revenue base and exacerbating service declines in a feedback loop of urban decay. Subsequent decades saw further erosion of the white presence, dropping to about 11% by 2000 and stabilizing near 10-12% in recent estimates, while blacks peaked at around 80% in the early before settling at 76%. This demographic inversion mirrored patterns in other cities but was uniquely stark in Gary, where the white population fell from over 100,000 in 1960 to under 20,000 by 2010, correlating with net out-migration exceeding 50,000 residents overall since peak years. Hispanics, initially minor at under 2% in 1970, grew to 12-15% by 2020, largely through later , but did not offset the core racial realignment.
Census YearWhite (%)Black (%)Total Population
19606139178,320
197046.752.8175,415
200011.081.0102,746
202012.876.569,093
The flight's causes extended beyond overt —often emphasized in academic narratives—to include pragmatic responses to measurable deteriorations in public safety and education quality post-integration, with homicide rates surging over 300% in the and school performance lagging national averages. While some sources frame the exodus primarily as economic fallout from steel mill layoffs, and migration data indicate whites disproportionately exited before the sharpest job losses in the , prioritizing stability over industrial loyalty. This left Gary with a concentrated , where single-parent households rose above 70% by 1990—far exceeding national norms—and perpetuated cycles of independent of initial steel decline.

Late 20th Century Governance and Stagnation

served as mayor of Gary from 1968 to 1987, becoming the first African American to lead a major U.S. industrial city and holding office for nearly two decades amid accelerating economic decline. His administration coincided with the city's shift to black-majority governance, reflecting rapid demographic changes as white residents departed en masse following the 1968 riots and subsequent unrest. Despite efforts to address poverty and urban blight through civil rights initiatives and federal aid programs, Hatcher's tenure failed to halt the loss of steel industry jobs, with U.S. Steel's workforce shrinking from over 30,000 in 1970 to 6,000 by 1990. Governance under Hatcher was marked by persistent , a problem traceable to the that undermined effective administration and public trust. The city's overreliance on a single industry prevented economic diversification, as U.S. Steel's dominance stifled broader development, leaving Gary vulnerable to global competition and plant closures. deteriorated, exemplified by inadequate snow removal during heavy 1970s-1980s winters, where neighboring towns had to assist due to Gary's overwhelmed crews. Population decline exacerbated fiscal pressures, with residents dropping 23% from 1980 to 1990 to 116,646, reducing the tax base and straining budgets without corresponding cuts in spending or attraction of new enterprises. In the late and , successor administrations continued patterns of stagnation, with limited success in reversing despite state-level development plans. soared and abandoned properties proliferated, as the loss of jobs—central to Gary's identity since —left governance focused on survival rather than growth. Political leadership reflected the black-majority demographics but struggled with inherited structural issues, including segregation legacies and industrial that deterred . By the decade's end, Gary's remained mired in dependency on diminishing output, with little evidence of proactive reforms to foster alternative sectors.

21st Century Challenges and Incremental Revitalization

In the early 2000s, Gary continued to grapple with the fallout from national steel industry contractions, including multiple bankruptcies among U.S. producers that accelerated job losses; the sector shed approximately 48,000 positions nationwide since 2000, severely impacting local employment tied to facilities like Gary Works. This exacerbated chronic high unemployment and poverty rates, with the city's population falling 22% from about 103,000 in 2000 to roughly 80,000 by 2010, driven by out-migration amid limited economic diversification. Persistent urban blight affected thousands of structures, contributing to fiscal strain on municipal services and governance challenges, including debates over property tax assessments with major employers like U.S. Steel. Violent crime remained a significant issue through the , with Gary consistently ranking among the highest per capita in the U.S.; for instance, the rate hovered around 50-60 annually in the early 2020s before recent interventions. Property crimes also plagued the city, at rates exceeding 30 per 1,000 residents as of 2023. These problems compounded demographic shifts, as the dipped below 70,000 by the mid-2020s, leaving vast swaths of abandoned and decay that deterred . Efforts at incremental revitalization gained traction in the late and , anchored by the opening of the $300 million Hard Rock Casino, which introduced 1,650 slot machines, 80 table games, and entertainment venues to generate revenue and . The facility has supported blight removal, donating $3 million in 2024 for demolishing derelict properties in the transit district. Policing reforms under Mayor , including 118% more proactive patrols and 148% increase in traffic enforcement by 2024, contributed to a 23% drop in homicides (from 52 in 2023) and 10% in non-fatal shootings. By mid-2025, homicides fell another 55% year-over-year to nine cases. State and private partnerships have funded targeted , such as a $15 million READI 2.0 grant awarded in September 2025 for transformation and elimination, including vertical developments like mixed-use projects near the along Interstate 80/94. A May 2025 collaboration with the University of Notre Dame's School of Architecture outlined a regeneration roadmap emphasizing , reforms, and small-scale interventions across six priority areas to foster economic and place-based renewal without relying on large-scale overhauls. These steps, under a new mayoral focus on business attraction since 2024, signal cautious progress amid ongoing population stagnation, though critics note that gaming revenue and selective demolitions have yet to reverse broader structural decline.

Geography

Physical Setting and Layout

Gary, Indiana, is situated on the southwestern shore of in northwestern , approximately 25 miles (40 km) southeast of downtown , within Lake County. The city spans 50.06 square miles (129.7 km²) of land area, with its northern boundary abutting the lake and industrial waterfront dominated by steel mills and shipping facilities. To the south and east, it borders other urban areas in the , while inland terrain transitions to flat plains characteristic of the lake's glacial outwash deposits. The physical terrain of Gary is predominantly flat, with an average elevation of 607 feet (185 meters) above and minimal variation—typically less than 52 feet within short distances—reflecting its position on the plain. Natural features include remnants of sand dunes and beaches along the northern edge, particularly in the neighborhood, where the Grand Calumet River originates and historically discharged into the lake via lagoons in Marquette Park before channelization for industrial purposes. The system, including the Grand Calumet, traverses the city, supporting heavy industry but also contributing to localized wetland and riparian zones amid urban development. Urban layout follows a rectilinear grid system established during the city's founding as a planned industrial community in 1906 by , with numbered streets running east-west and named avenues north-south, centered around key corridors like Broadway and U.S. Route 12. This grid extends across residential, commercial, and industrial zones, though annexations such as Glen Park in 1928 introduced variations with more irregular subdivisions. Neighborhoods are functionally divided: lakefront industrial tracts to the north, dense original townsite grids in central areas like Emerson and , and sparser, later-developed sections inland, with Miller preserving dune-swale topography integrated into parklands. Major transportation arteries, including Interstate 80/94 and the , parallel the lakefront, reinforcing east-west connectivity, while rail lines from early operations fragment the grid in industrial precincts. This layout, optimized for industrial efficiency, has resulted in expansive blocks suited to heavy manufacturing but challenged by underutilized spaces post-deindustrialization, with ongoing planning efforts focusing on within the existing framework.

Climate Patterns

Gary, Indiana, features a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), characterized by hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with four distinct seasons influenced by its location in the Midwest and proximity to Lake Michigan. Average annual temperatures range from lows of about 17°F in winter to highs of 83°F in summer, with July marking the warmest month at an average high of 83°F and low of 66°F, while January sees average highs around 34°F and lows near 20°F. The following table summarizes monthly climate averages:
MonthAverage Maximum (°F)Average Mean (°F)Average Minimum (°F)Average Precipitation (in)Average Snowfall (in)
January3427211.13.0
February3830241.13.3
March4839331.81.4
April6050432.90.2
May7060523.50.0
June7970613.60.0
July8375663.30.0
August8173653.50.0
September7566573.00.0
October6354462.70.0
November5043362.50.4
December3831261.72.2
Precipitation averages 38 to 41 inches annually, occurring as for most of the year but transitioning to from through , with relatively even monthly distribution but higher totals in spring and summer due to thunderstorms. Snowfall accumulates to an average of 33 to 36 inches per season, concentrated in through , where monthly averages include about 7.8 inches in alone based on historical records from the Gary . The city's position southeast of exposes it to , where cold air masses passing over the unfrozen lake generate enhanced moisture and localized heavy snowfall bands, sometimes exceeding 1-2 feet in 24 hours during intense events, as observed in the January 2014 storm. This phenomenon increases variability in winter precipitation compared to inland areas, with Gary receiving less annual than more directly downwind lakefront sites but still experiencing occasional extreme accumulations that disrupt transportation and daily life. Lake moderation also slightly tempers summer heat and winter cold extremes relative to southern locations.

Neighborhood Divisions and Urban Decay

Gary, Indiana, features a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods, including Aetna, Ambridge Mann, Black Oak, Brunswick, Downtown Gary, Glen Park, Midtown, Miller, Pulaski, and Tolleston, each exhibiting varying levels of and residential . These divisions trace back to early 20th-century planning around steel industry hubs, with peripheral areas like Black Oak and Miller retaining more stable, working-class housing stock compared to central zones. Spatial segregation, reinforced by historical and ethnic enclaves, concentrated economic activity and amenities in the east and , while southern and western neighborhoods faced earlier disinvestment. Urban decay accelerated post-1970s deindustrialization, manifesting in widespread property abandonment and structural blight across most neighborhoods. A 2015 city survey identified approximately 13,000 blighted properties, comprising over one-third of Gary's total structures, with vacant lots numbering around 25,000 or more than 40% of the land area. Residential vacancy rates reached 31.41% by recent assessments, the highest nationally, driven by a population plunge from 178,065 in 1960 to 69,093 in 2020, which left surplus housing unmaintained amid job losses exceeding 50,000 in steel-related sectors. Inner-city areas, such as those near abandoned landmarks like City Methodist Church—vacant since 1975—exemplify this deterioration, with crumbling facades, overgrown lots, and 21 derelict school buildings fostering crime and further disinvestment. Decay patterns vary by neighborhood: , for instance, saw 35 blighted structures demolished in 2024 alone, alongside owner-led renovations of 49 properties, signaling targeted but uneven recovery efforts. Peripheral enclaves like , adjacent to , exhibit lower vacancy due to commuter appeal and natural amenities, contrasting with core districts where fiscal constraints limit and , perpetuating cycles of and . Causal factors include not only economic contraction but also challenges, such as delayed tax foreclosures on 10,000+ delinquent parcels by the early 2010s, exacerbating physical neglect without countervailing private investment. Recent initiatives, including a $12 million elimination plan initiated in 2025 focusing on demolitions, aim to reclaim land for , though progress remains incremental amid persistent high and outmigration.

Demographics

Gary, Indiana, incorporated in 1906, experienced rapid population growth in its early decades, driven by the establishment of U.S. Steel's operations attracting immigrant and domestic laborers. The 1910 census recorded 16,802 residents, increasing more than threefold to 55,378 by and surpassing 100,000 to 100,426 in 1930. Growth persisted through the mid-20th century, reaching 133,911 in and peaking at 178,320 in amid postwar industrial expansion. Subsequent decades marked a sustained decline, with the population falling to 175,415 by 1970—a 1.6% drop from the peak—and accelerating to 151,968 in 1980, reflecting early signs of economic contraction in the steel sector. The trend intensified, halving roughly by 2000 to 102,746, then to 80,294 in 2010 and 69,093 in 2020, representing a cumulative loss of over 60% from the 1960 high.
Census YearPopulation
191016,802
192055,378
1930100,426
1940111,719
1950133,911
1960178,320
1970175,415
1980151,968
1990116,646
2000102,746
201080,294
202069,093
This table summarizes decennial figures, illustrating the boom-to-bust trajectory tied to the city's heavy reliance on employment. Recent estimates indicate further erosion, with approximately 68,000 residents as of 2023.

2020 Census Overview

The recorded a population of 69,093 for , reflecting a 13.9% decline from the 80,294 residents enumerated in the 2010 Census. This decrease of 11,201 individuals continued a pattern of depopulation driven by economic contraction, with the city's land area spanning 50.54 square miles yielding a of approximately 1,368 persons per square mile. Housing data from the 2020 Census indicated 37,594 total units, of which 27,109 were occupied s, resulting in an occupancy rate of 72.1% and a vacancy rate of 27.9%. The average household size stood at 2.46 persons, with a of 89.8 males per 100 females overall and 84.7 for those aged 18 and over.
Key 2020 Census MetricsValue
Total 69,093
Population Change (2010-2020)-13.9%
Total Units37,594
Occupied Households27,109
Vacancy Rate27.9%
(per sq mi)1,368

Racial and Ethnic Composition

As of the , Gary's population stood at 69,093, with Black or African American individuals alone comprising 77.6% of residents. White individuals alone accounted for 12.4%, while persons of Hispanic or Latino origin of any race constituted 11.0%, reflecting overlap with other racial categories as is tracked separately by the Census Bureau. Other groups included two or more races at 5.8%, some other race at 3.8%, Asian alone at 0.2%, and American Indian and Alaska Native alone at 0.2%.
Racial/Ethnic CategoryPercentage (2020)
Black or African American alone77.6%
White alone12.4%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)11.0%
Two or more races5.8%
Some other race alone3.8%
Asian alone0.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone0.2%
This composition marks a stark evolution from Gary's early 20th-century profile, when the city—established in 1906 by —drew primarily European immigrants, yielding a population over 90% non-Hispanic white in the 1910 and 1920 censuses. The Great Migration subsequently elevated the Black share to 30.3% by 1940 and 52.8% by 1970, driven by job opportunities in steel mills. fell to 39.1% in 1970 and further to 8.9% by 2010, amid broader demographic transitions. residents, largely of Mexican descent, have grown modestly to represent the second-largest ethnic group, concentrated in areas like the Tolleston neighborhood. Smaller persisting communities include remnants of Polish, Serbian, and Croatian groups from the founding era, though their shares remain under 1% combined in recent data.

Socioeconomic Metrics

As of the 2019-2023 estimates, the median household income in Gary stood at $37,380, approximately 50% below the national median of $75,149 and 40% below Indiana's $62,743. Per capita income was $24,345, reflecting limited earning potential amid persistent structural economic challenges. The rate in Gary reached 32.3% in 2023, more than double Indiana's 12.3% and the U.S. rate of 11.5%, with over 21,000 residents affected; exceeded 45%, exacerbating intergenerational disadvantage. Educational attainment lags significantly: 86.1% of adults aged 25 and older held a or equivalent in recent estimates, but only 12.5% possessed a or higher, compared to 32.5% statewide and 35.0% nationally. This disparity correlates with lower-wage employment sectors dominating the local economy. in Gary averaged 9.2% in late 2024 at the city level, far exceeding the state rate of 4.4% and national 4.2%; the Gary reported 5.0% in October 2024, still elevated due to vulnerabilities. Homeownership rates hover around 49%, with 51% of households renting, below 's 70% ownership; high vacancy (over 20% in some tracts) and abandonment rates stem from waves post-2008, hindering wealth accumulation.
MetricGary (2023 est.)
Median Household Income$37,380$62,743$75,149
Poverty Rate32.3%12.3%11.5%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher (25+)12.5%32.5%35.0%
Unemployment Rate9.2% (city, 2024)4.4%4.2%
Homeownership Rate49%70%65%
These figures underscore Gary's entrenched socioeconomic distress, traceable to steel industry collapse and slow diversification, with limited policy interventions yielding marginal gains.

Economy

Steel Industry Dominance and Vulnerabilities

Gary, Indiana, was founded on May 14, 1906, by the United States Steel Corporation as a planned "model" industrial city to support its massive Gary Works steel mill, the largest integrated facility of its kind in North America. The mill's operations drove rapid population and economic growth, with steel production employing tens of thousands and positioning Gary as a key hub in the early 20th-century American industrial landscape. By the mid-20th century, Gary Works had become the world's largest steel mill, producing vast quantities of steel that fueled national infrastructure and manufacturing demands. The steel industry's dominance created an economy almost entirely dependent on Gary Works, where peak employment reached nearly workers by the 1970s, supporting a population of 175,415 in 1970 and generating high-wage union jobs that formed the middle-class foundation for many families. This mono-industry structure, lacking significant secondary sectors, amplified prosperity during steel booms but exposed the city to severe risks from industry downturns, as U.S. Steel's decisions directly dictated local employment and fiscal health. Vulnerabilities emerged prominently in the as global competition, technological shifts, and declining domestic demand prompted to downsize operations and lay off substantial portions of its workforce, triggering economic contraction without alternative industries to absorb the labor surplus. Further risks included environmental contamination from mill emissions, with Gary's three coal-burning plants releasing over 25 million pounds of toxic pollutants in 2023 alone, correlating with elevated cancer rates and other health issues in surrounding communities. This over-reliance on not only fostered structural economic fragility but also entrenched long-term public health and infrastructural challenges tied to the industry's operational externalities.

Deindustrialization Impacts

Deindustrialization in Gary, Indiana, primarily manifested through the contraction of the steel industry during the 1970s and 1980s, amid global recessions, increased foreign competition from lower-cost producers, and technological shifts toward automation. The city's economy was overwhelmingly dependent on U.S. Steel's Gary Works, which at its peak employed over 30,000 workers in the mid-20th century but saw employment plummet to around 7,000 by 2005 due to plant closures, downsizing, and market shifts. This loss represented a seismic shock, as manufacturing accounted for nearly 50% of local employment in 1970, dropping to 13.5% by the mid-2000s. The immediate economic fallout included surging unemployment rates, with Gary's figure reaching 17% in 1992 before partially receding to 8.2% by 1998, still double the national average. Prolonged joblessness and eroded household incomes, pushing one-fifth of households below the line shortly after major downsizings in the late , a rate that has since climbed to approximately 33%. These conditions fostered a shrinking tax base, as U.S. Steel's contributions diminished amid state reassessments that further strained municipal revenues, leading to chronic fiscal deficits and reduced public services. Population decline accelerated as residents sought opportunities elsewhere, with Gary's numbers falling from a peak of 178,320 in 1960 to 116,646 by 1990, a loss exceeding 35% in three decades directly attributable to job scarcity. This exodus exacerbated , leaving over 10,000 structures abandoned by the early and diminishing community cohesion through family disruptions and out-migration of skilled workers. While some analyses attribute these patterns to broader trends, Gary's acute reliance on a single industry amplified the impacts, hindering diversification and perpetuating cycles of .

Current Employment and Unemployment Data

As of November 2024, the rate in Gary city was 9.2 percent (not seasonally adjusted), reflecting 2,475 unemployed residents within a civilian labor force of 26,916 and totaling 24,441. This city-level figure exceeds recent monthly readings, such as 10.4 percent in August 2024 and 10.3 percent in July 2024, indicating persistent volatility amid structural economic challenges. In contrast, the broader Gary Metropolitan Division reported a lower unemployment rate of 4.7 percent in August 2025 (preliminary data), with 16,400 unemployed persons, 336,100 employed, and a labor force of 352,600. The divergence highlights how suburban areas within the metro division, including Hammond and East Chicago, dilute Gary's concentrated joblessness, which stems from limited local opportunities outside legacy manufacturing. Annual employment in Gary city declined 2.1 percent from 23,000 in 2022 to 22,556 in 2023, per estimates, with dominant sectors including (4,591 jobs), retail trade (2,824), and (2,414). Labor force participation in , encompassing Gary, lagged at 57.6 percent in March 2022—below the state average of 62.4 percent—exacerbated by demographic factors like aging populations and skill mismatches in a post-steel .
Month/YearUnemployment Rate (%)UnemployedEmployedLabor Force
August 2024 (city)10.4N/AN/AN/A
November 2024 (city)9.22,47524,44126,916
August 2025 (metro)4.716,400336,100352,600

Diversification Attempts and Barriers

Following the steel industry's decline in the late , Gary has pursued diversification into sectors such as , , tourism, and service industries, leveraging its proximity to , railroad infrastructure, and the . Efforts intensified under Mayor , elected in 2023, who has emphasized rebranding the city as "open for business" to attract investors and residents. In 2025, the city secured a $15 million READI 2.0 grant from the Economic Development Corporation, matched with $49.5 million in public-private funds, to support downtown revitalization projects including the renovation of the Hudson Campbell building into office space and blight removal in the Holy Angels neighborhood, projected to create 30 full-time jobs at an average wage of $60,000 while enhancing pedestrian connectivity and . Additional initiatives include proposals for a Hotel and development, committing $30 million over 20 years to build a 300-room facility and stimulate hospitality growth. programs have also targeted and equitable growth to support workforce expansion in non- sectors like and retail, which alongside now account for over 60% of employment. These steps build on earlier attempts, such as developments in the and , though many failed to generate sustained economic momentum due to insufficient ancillary investment. Persistent barriers include over 10,000 abandoned structures contributing to widespread , which hampers and deters private investment. The city's "Scary Gary" reputation, rooted in elevated crime rates and affecting over 30% of residents, undermines business confidence and resident retention, with falling from 178,000 in 1960 to under 70,000 by 2020. A historically mono-industrial economy, dominated by which actively discouraged diversification, left Gary without a robust secondary sector, exacerbating vulnerability to global competition and automation-induced job losses exceeding 20,000 since the 1970s. Labor market tightness, including skill mismatches and recruitment difficulties, further challenges firm expansion, while decades of have entrenched fiscal constraints limiting upgrades.

Government and Politics

Municipal Structure and Administration

Gary, Indiana, functions as a second-class city under Indiana statutes, characterized by populations between 35,000 and 599,999, and adheres to a strong mayor-council government structure. In this system, executive authority is concentrated in the mayor, while the common council holds legislative powers, providing a balance through budgetary control and veto overrides. The , elected citywide to a four-year term, exercises primary executive and administrative control, including appointment and removal of department heads, oversight of daily operations, and veto authority over ordinances. The 's office manages key areas such as public safety, , and fiscal stabilization, supported by a cabinet of advisors and department leaders to coordinate service delivery across municipal functions. The Gary Common Council comprises nine members: six elected from single-member districts and three , each serving staggered four-year terms to ensure continuity. As the legislative branch, the council enacts ordinances, resolutions, and budgets; levies taxes; reallocates funds; and appoints officials to boards like the police merit commission and board of public works. District boundaries are redrawn decennially to reflect population shifts, with state intervention possible if the council fails to act, as occurred following the 2020 census. Administrative support includes an elected city clerk responsible for records, elections, and municipal , alongside bodies like the Board of Public Works and Safety, which oversees appropriations and public infrastructure projects. This framework, while empowering the for decisive action, has faced scrutiny amid Gary's fiscal challenges, with council- dynamics influencing responses to and service demands.

Key Mayoral Eras and Policies

Thomas E. Knotts served as Gary's inaugural mayor from 1909 to 1913, guiding the city's foundational growth amid U.S. Steel's establishment and rapid industrialization. His administration focused on basic infrastructure and municipal services to support the influx of workers, laying the groundwork for Gary's early prosperity as a hub. Roswell O. Johnson succeeded as the first elected mayor in 1913, continuing efforts to manage urban expansion during the World War I-era boom. Richard G. Hatcher's election in 1967 initiated a transformative era, as he became the first African-American mayor of a major U.S. city, holding office until 1987. His policies targeted systemic discrimination, including legislation to eliminate restrictive property covenants confining Black residents to midtown areas and legal challenges to segregation in hospitals, schools, neighborhoods, and public parks. Hatcher also advocated innovative urban strategies and served as a national voice for Black political empowerment, advising presidents on civil rights and urban affairs. However, this period overlapped with severe in the sector, contributing to , , and escalating fiscal pressures despite federal aid pursuits. Post-Hatcher mayors grappled with entrenched decline. Thomas V. Barnes (1987–1991) and Scott L. King (1996–2000) navigated ongoing disinvestment, with limited policy successes amid persistent and decay. Rudy Clay (2000–2008) emphasized but faced criticism for inadequate responses to and crime surges. , mayor from 2011 to 2020 and Indiana's first Black female mayor, launched the Gary for Life initiative in 2015 to curb through victim assistance and community intervention, contributing to later reductions in shootings. Her administration advanced economic measures, including a private partnership for to boost regional connectivity. Freeman-Wilson also pursued a long-standing against gun manufacturers and dealers, alleging facilitation of illegal trafficking fueling city violence, though outcomes remained pending into the 2020s. Eddie Melton, elected in 2019 as the 22nd mayor, has prioritized economic diversification and renewal since taking office in 2020. His policies include joining the Cities Initiative's Mayors Commission on Economic Transformation to foster business growth and infrastructure upgrades, alongside attracting investments like potential Hard Rock developments. Melton has touted crime declines, building on prior programs, while addressing state-level challenges in a Republican-dominated legislature. These efforts aim to reverse decades of post-industrial erosion, though structural barriers like steel dependency persist.

Corruption Allegations and Fiscal Mismanagement

In 2009, the Distressed Unit Appeal Board appointed a fiscal monitor to Gary, revealing systemic mismanagement including cash-basis accounting that obscured fund balances, $16 million in interfund loans, and $29 million in outstanding warrants as of 2008. The report identified $12.5 million owed to the Gary Sanitary District from prior loans and $8.1 million in repayments due to for overcharges, exacerbating a projected $70.9 million cumulative deficit by fiscal year 2014 due in part to state caps enacted in 2008. Departmental overspending was rampant, with the accruing $451,528 in overtime by October 2009 amid excessive sick leave averaging 587 hours per firefighter annually, and the law department facing $1.13 million in unpaid judgments plus $405,000 in outstanding legal bills. Corruption allegations have periodically surfaced in city administration, contributing to perceptions of governance failures. Former Prince, who served from 2020 to 2023, pleaded guilty on October 9, 2024, to one count of wire for misusing over $26,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, leading to his sentencing on January 16, 2025. Earlier probes under Scott (2004–2006) investigated municipal contracts but did not implicate King personally, though his deputy mayor's charges were dropped after his 2006 resignation amid broader scrutiny. Historical precedents include 1910s mayoral elections marred by claims against incumbents like Clyde Johnson, defeated in 1917 following accusations of political graft. Fiscal distress persisted into recent years, with state lawmakers citing ongoing corruption concerns as a basis for limiting and blocking tax base expansions, while a 2025 state comptroller recalculation threatened a $20 million cut related to prior gaming revenue allocations. The 2009 monitor recommended drastic measures like reducing the by 54 positions to save $3.3 million annually, vehicle maintenance for $1.7 million in five-year savings, and resolving $1.1 million in audit liabilities tied to improper redevelopment spending. Such issues, compounded by low tax collection rates and untracked liabilities like $1.2 million in delinquent city utility bills, have hindered recovery efforts despite deindustrialization's role in revenue erosion.

Public Safety and Crime

Peak Crime Era and Statistics

Gary, Indiana, reached its zenith of violent crime during the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, a period marked by exceptionally high per capita homicide rates that repeatedly topped national rankings for cities over 100,000 residents. This era saw murders surge amid deindustrialization, population loss, and gang activity, with the city's rate exceeding the U.S. average by factors of 10 or more. (UCR) data indicate Gary held the nation's highest murder rate in 1984 at 54.8 per 100,000 population, 1993 at approximately 91 per 100,000 (with 110 homicides in a population of about 119,000), and 1995, when 129 murders were recorded in a population of 115,269. Violent crime rates, encompassing , , , and aggravated , peaked in 1995 at 2,823 offenses per 100,000 residents, more than double the 1990 figure of 2,126.1 and over five times the national rate of around 500-600 per 100,000 during the early . Contributing to this were sharp increases in robberies and assaults, with total violent incidents rising from 1,456 in 1985 to 3,254 in 1995 despite a shrinking from 143,106 to 115,269. Homicides alone averaged 60-70 annually in the late 1980s but escalated to triple digits by the mid-1990s, reflecting localized spikes not fully captured in broader state data.
YearPopulationMurdersViolent Crime Rate (per 100,000)
1985143,106611,017.4
1990116,646662,126.1
1993~119,000110N/A (homicide rate ~91)
1995115,2691292,823.0
These figures, derived from local police reports submitted to the FBI, underscore Gary's outlier status, though underreporting in high-crime urban areas may have understated true incidence; contemporaneous newspaper accounts based on preliminary FBI tallies align closely with later verified UCR compilations.

Causal Factors Including Cultural and Structural Elements

The structural decline of Gary's steel-based economy in the late created concentrated and , which empirical studies link to elevated property and rates by reducing legitimate opportunities and increasing incentives for illicit activities. Following the closure of major facilities in the 1970s and 1980s, Gary's population dropped from over 178,000 in to around 69,000 by , with rates reaching 32.93% as of recent data, far exceeding national averages and correlating with higher incidence in deindustrialized urban areas. This economic vacuum facilitated the entrenchment of drug markets, where high levels of and distribution since the 1990s have driven turf disputes, accounting for a significant portion of homicides through gang-related shootings. Cultural elements, particularly the prevalence of single-parent households, have compounded these structural pressures by weakening informal social controls that deter criminal behavior. In Gary's metro area, single-parent households numbered over 27,000 as of 2023, with some neighborhoods exhibiting single-mother households at 38.6%, rates associated nationally with 118% higher and 255% higher levels compared to cities with intact structures. in such environments predicts elevated rates of violent offending among youth, as evidenced by county-level analyses showing higher female and male in areas with greater paternal disconnection. These dynamics, often overlooked in mainstream analyses favoring purely socioeconomic explanations, foster intergenerational transmission of risk factors like disengagement and peer delinquency. Gang subcultures have further perpetuated through codes emphasizing retaliation and over legal norms, filling voids left by economic and familial . Gary's long-standing presence, including groups like the street gang, has fueled surges via drug-related feuds, with authorities attributing spikes—such as in —to inter-gang warfare rather than random acts. Community perceptions in high-crime Lake County normalize as an ever-present risk, with residents viewing it as unpredictable and tied to adolescent via older peers who model aggressive coping strategies. This cultural persistence, independent of initial structural triggers, sustains elevated crime despite national declines, as provide identity and economic roles in the absence of alternatives.

Recent Declines and Policing Reforms

In 2024, Gary recorded 40 homicides, the lowest annual total since 2018, alongside 132 non-fatal shootings—a reduction of 15 incidents from 2023. Homicides declined 23% from 2023 levels, while non-fatal shootings fell 10%, with city officials attributing these trends to enhanced investigations yielding charges in over 80% of cases. This marked the fourth consecutive year of homicide reductions since 2021, reflecting a broader downturn in amid national patterns but exceeding many peer cities in magnitude. Through the first half of 2025, homicides dropped to nine—a 55% decrease from 20 in the same period of 2024—while non-fatal shootings decreased 26% to 55 incidents. The Gary Police Department reported an 88% case clearance rate for homicides, surpassing national averages, alongside reductions in fatal accidents (33%) and total traffic accidents (16%). These improvements coincided with a 118% rise in proactive patrols and a 148% increase in traffic citations in 2024, indicating intensified enforcement efforts. Policing reforms in Gary stemmed from a 2020 consent decree-like partnership with the , initiated amid scrutiny over departmental inefficiencies and high unsolved crime rates. This collaboration, supported by Governor , produced recommendations for operational resets, including better training, resource allocation, and accountability measures, culminating in the appointment of a new police chief in June 2023 as the formal process concluded. A city-established police reform commission, comprising civic leaders, activists, and faith representatives, further guided policy since June 2020, emphasizing community input without diluting core enforcement functions. Recent investments bolstered these reforms, including a $3 million fleet upgrade funded partly by Hard Rock Northern Indiana in August 2025 and the hiring of 12 new officers and firefighters in late 2024 to address staffing shortages. City leaders credited strategic, data-driven initiatives—such as targeted patrols in high-crime areas—for the declines, rejecting attributions to mere chance and highlighting sustained clearance rates as evidence of improved efficacy. Despite progress, Gary's overall violent crime rate remained elevated compared to national benchmarks, with per capita figures roughly double the U.S. average in recent analyses.

Education

Public School System and Enrollment

The (GCSC) serves as the primary public school district for the city of Gary, operating 11 schools including elementary, middle, and high schools for grades K-12. Established in 1906 shortly after the city's founding, the district initially gained national prominence under Superintendent William A. Wirt, who implemented the "Gary Plan" in 1907—a progressive model featuring the for efficient use of facilities, work-study programs, and extended school-day options to accommodate rapid industrial-era population growth. The system expanded quickly, emphasizing vocational training tied to local steel industry needs, and by the 1920s served tens of thousands of students amid Gary's peak enrollment reflective of its booming workforce. Enrollment in GCSC historically mirrored the city's demographic expansions and contractions, peaking at over 40,000 students in the mid-20th century during Gary's industrial zenith when the population exceeded 178,000 in 1960. By the 2023-2024 school year, however, enrollment had fallen to approximately 4,025 students across its schools, representing a decline of more than 73% over the prior 16 years. This sharp reduction stems primarily from Gary's sustained population loss since the 1970s, driven by in the sector, which prompted outmigration and reduced birth rates, thereby shrinking the local student base. Contributing factors include the rise of charter schools and expanded options in , which have drawn students away from traditional public districts like GCSC, as well as facility closures and consolidations necessitated by underutilized capacity. The district's student-teacher ratio stood at 17:1 in recent years, with a staff of about 554 full-time equivalents supporting the diminished pupil population.

Academic Performance and Challenges

The (GCSC) exhibits persistently low academic performance compared to state averages, as measured by standardized assessments and graduation metrics. On the 2024 ILEARN exam, only 5.1% of GCSC students achieved proficiency in mathematics, against 40.7% statewide, while English/language arts proficiency stood at 9.8%, up slightly by 0.5% from the prior year but far below the state's 41%. In 2023, just 203 out of 3,845 tested students passed ILEARN overall, highlighting a district-wide proficiency gap that has lingered despite post-pandemic recovery efforts elsewhere in the state. Elementary-level data reinforces this trend, with 10% of students proficient in reading and 8% in math. Graduation rates in GCSC also trail substantially, at 67.5% for recent cohorts versus 89% statewide and a national push toward 95% by 2030, with the district's rate trending downward by 2.4%. This underperformance persists amid high poverty rates—over 90% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch—and correlates with structural district issues, including a student-teacher ratio of 19.63:1 as of 2023-2024. State interventions, such as the 2021 fiscal takeover by the Distressed Unit Appeal Board (DUAB), aimed to address chronic deficits exceeding $28 million but have yielded mixed academic results, with proficiency remaining among the lowest nationally. Key challenges exacerbating these outcomes include extreme chronic , reported at 66% in GCSC—the highest among public districts—which disrupts instructional continuity and compounds learning loss. Recruitment and retention of certified teachers pose ongoing hurdles, with persistent vacancies and a lack of trust between administrators, staff, and families hindering reforms. Financial mismanagement, including repeated operating referendums and school closures (e.g., 10 facilities shuttered since ), has strained resources, diverting focus from curriculum improvements to survival measures. Broader environmental factors, such as elevated local crime rates and family instability in a predominantly low-income, single-parent demographic, further impede and , though district-specific attributes much of the stagnation to these intertwined socioeconomic pressures rather than isolated policy failures. Recent superintendent-led initiatives, including targeted and programs, show marginal gains in select metrics but have not closed the proficiency chasm, underscoring the need for sustained, evidence-based interventions beyond fiscal stabilization.

Post-Secondary Institutions

Indiana University Northwest (IUN), a regional campus of the Indiana University system, constitutes the primary four-year public higher education institution within Gary city limits. Originating from extension classes offered in Lake County as early as 1921, IUN evolved through mergers and expansions, including the incorporation of Gary College, culminating in its formal designation as Indiana University Northwest in 1968 following a statewide reorganization. The campus spans 44 acres and provides more than 70 undergraduate degree programs, alongside approximately 20 graduate degrees, spanning fields such as health professions, business, arts and sciences, and public affairs. Enrollment has shown recent growth, with undergraduate headcount reaching 2,909 students in the fall 2025 census, marking a 9.3% increase from the prior year and the first such uptick in a decade; freshmen enrollment specifically rose 17% to 910 students. The Ivy Tech Community College Lake County Campus at Gary operates as the key two-year institution in the city, emphasizing associate degrees, certificates, and workforce development programs tailored to local industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology. Situated at 3491 Broadway, this campus facilitates flexible scheduling with 10 annual start dates and integrates with the broader Lake County network, which collectively supports over 9,000 students across full- and part-time enrollment in programs like nursing, business administration, and general education transfer courses. Additionally, the maintains a Northwest-Gary campus focused on clinical training and , serving as one of nine statewide sites to prepare physicians through partnerships with regional healthcare providers. These institutions collectively address higher education needs in Gary by offering accessible pathways from certificate-level training to advanced degrees, amid the city's economic challenges including industrial decline.

Culture and Attractions

Arts, Music, and Film Legacy

Gary, Indiana, holds a prominent place in American music history primarily through the Jackson family, whose members began performing in the city's local talent shows during the 1960s. Joseph Jackson, employed as a crane operator at U.S. Steel's Gary Works, managed his children—later known as the Jackson 5—in their early career at venues like the local Apollo Theater equivalent in Gary. The group, including Michael Jackson born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, achieved national fame after signing with Motown Records in 1968, with their childhood home at 2300 Jackson Street becoming a symbol of their origins. The city continues to honor this legacy through annual events, such as the 2025 "2300 Jackson Street Block Party" celebrating Michael Jackson's birthday with family tributes and performances. Other musicians from Gary include Grammy-winning singer , born June 3, 1951, known for hits like "Let's Hear It for the Boy," who received a commemorative in the city in July 2025 recognizing her contributions to R&B and gospel. Composer William Albright, born 1944 in Gary, innovated in , blending and elements before his death in 1998. These figures underscore Gary's role in fostering talent amid its industrial backdrop, though the Jackson family's global impact overshadows local scenes. In film, Gary's early 20th-century theaters, such as the Palace Theater opened in 1925 by entrepreneur V.U. Young as a premier movie house and the Gary Theater transitioning from to cinema, supported initial cinematic culture. By the 2010s, the city's widespread attracted filmmakers seeking dystopian visuals, with 24 productions shooting there in 2010 and 26 more in , including scenes for major releases leveraging abandoned structures for post-industrial authenticity. This unintended legacy positions Gary as a practical location for narratives depicting economic decline, though it lacks a sustained production industry. Visual arts legacies are less prominent, with limited documentation of native painters or sculptors achieving national recognition, though cultural critics like (pseudonym of Gary Hoisington, not city-born) have drawn thematic inspiration from motifs without direct ties to Gary's scene. Preservation efforts focus more on music heritage than fine arts institutions.

Historic Sites and Preservation Efforts

, features several historic sites tied to its founding as a planned by the Steel Corporation in 1906, with multiple properties listed on the . The Gary City Center Historic District, centered on Broadway Street, includes key civic structures such as the City Hall and Superior Courthouse, constructed in 1927 in a neoclassical style, and the second Gary Land Company Building from circa 1907, which served administrative functions for early development. The district reflects the city's rapid growth during the steel boom, encompassing commercial and governmental buildings that supported a peak population exceeding 178,000 by 1960. Other notable sites include the Gary Union Station, built in 1910 to facilitate rail transport integral to steel operations, and the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium, a 1921 structure designed for public recreation along . Historic districts such as the Horace Mann Historic District and Monroe Terrace Historic District preserve residential architecture from the 1910s and 1920s, exemplifying early worker housing patterns. Industrial remnants, including elements of the U.S. Steel —established in 1909 as one of the world's largest plants—underscore the economic drivers behind the city's layout. Preservation efforts face challenges from long-term population decline and structural decay, with over 10,000 abandoned properties reported in recent decades exacerbating deterioration. The Gary Historic Preservation Commission, established to identify and protect landmarks, issued its first local designation in 2019 for a significant early building, aiming to prevent demolition through regulatory measures. Nonprofit groups like the Decay Devils organize photography tours, advocacy, and restoration initiatives for unoccupied structures in northwest Indiana, including Gary's downtown landmarks, to raise awareness and secure funding. In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Gary's Roosevelt High School—one of the city's few remaining intact early 20th-century educational buildings—as one of America's 11 most endangered historic places, highlighting threats from neglect and calling for adaptive reuse strategies. Recent National Register additions, such as Means Manor in 2024, demonstrate ongoing federal recognition efforts amid local pushes for tax credits and grants to support rehabilitation. Iconic structures like the City Methodist Church, completed in 1926 as a Gothic Revival edifice for Gary's growing population, exemplify preservation hurdles; despite architectural significance, it remains largely unrestored and at risk from vandalism and weather exposure since closing in the 1970s. City-led regeneration plans, including partnerships with institutions like the University of Notre Dame announced in 2025, incorporate historic elements into broader downtown revitalization, though critics note tensions between preservation and economic pressures favoring demolition. Indiana Landmarks supports regional efforts through grants and technical assistance, contributing to stabilized funding for northwest Indiana sites since 2025. These initiatives collectively aim to leverage Gary's architectural heritage—designed by firms like Holabird & Roche—for tourism and identity, countering decades of disinvestment.

Libraries and Cultural Institutions

The Gary Public Library system, founded in , operates as one of seven independent library networks in Lake County, providing public access to reading materials, digital resources, and community programming across its main facility and five branches. The main library, designated the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center at 220 West 5th Avenue, houses art galleries, computer workstations for public use, meeting rooms, and rotating cultural exhibits focused on and . Specialized collections include the Room, dedicated to regional historical research with archives on Gary's steel industry origins and demographic shifts, and other holdings preserving city-specific documents and artifacts. Branch libraries extend services to neighborhoods, with the Louis J. Bailey Branch—a Carnegie-funded structure completed in 1918—exemplifying early 20th-century library architecture in Colonial Revival style while offering standard lending and educational programs. The Branch and Branch similarly provide tailored access to books, audiovisual materials, and youth initiatives amid Gary's urban challenges, including efforts to combat low rates through targeted outreach. Cultural institutions complement library efforts, with the Gary Historical & Cultural Society sponsoring preservation projects, educational events, and exhibits on the city's founding by in 1906 and subsequent developments. The Miller Beach Arts and Creative District serves as a localized hub for visual and in Gary's lakeside Miller neighborhood, hosting galleries, workshops, and festivals to promote creative expression despite broader municipal fiscal constraints. Local theater operations, such as the Gary Theatre Ensemble, stage productions drawing on the city's musical heritage, including ties to figures like the Jackson family, though sustained operations have been hampered by funding shortages reflective of Gary's economic decline since the 1970s.

Infrastructure and Services

Transportation Networks

Gary, Indiana, benefits from its strategic location in Northwest Indiana, approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, facilitating robust connectivity via multiple transportation modes. The city's road network includes major interstate highways that support both commuter and freight traffic tied to its industrial base. Interstate 65 serves as the primary north-south corridor, entering Gary at 5th Avenue and providing access southward to Indianapolis and northward toward Chicago. Interstate 80/94, part of the Indiana Toll Road, runs east-west through the region, offering high-capacity links to Chicago and points east toward Ohio. These highways, combined with U.S. Routes 12 and 20, enable efficient movement of goods and people, historically supporting the steel industry's logistics demands. Rail infrastructure remains central to Gary's economy, reflecting its origins as a steel production hub founded by in 1906. The Commuter Transportation District operates the , an electrified commuter rail service connecting Gary's stations, including Gary Metro Center, to Chicago's with frequent daily trains. Recent upgrades, such as the Double Track Northwest Indiana Project completed in 2023, added a second track between Gary and Michigan City, reducing travel times and enhancing reliability for over 26 miles of route. Freight rail is dominated by switching operations like those of Gary Railway Company, which maintains 71 miles of yard track to serve local steel facilities with 24/7 operations. port access further complements rail for bulk cargo, though primarily for industrial shipments rather than passenger service. Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) functions primarily as a reliever for and , featuring a 9,000-foot suitable for larger and positioned as the Chicago area's second-longest after O'Hare. The facility spans over 700 acres at 597 feet elevation and supports business aviation with quick turnaround capabilities, though it lacks scheduled commercial passenger flights. Public transit within the city is provided by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation (GPTC), operating fixed-route buses and complementary services across Gary and parts of , with fares accessible via mobile apps for local commuting needs. This integrated network underscores Gary's role in regional logistics, though maintenance challenges and urban decline have strained local infrastructure investments.

Healthcare Facilities

Methodist Hospitals maintains its Northlake Campus at 600 Grant Street in Gary, providing comprehensive services including operations, intensive care units, cardiac care, labor and delivery, and diagnostic imaging such as CAT scans. Established through Methodist efforts in 1911 via the Gary General Hospital and formalized in 1923, the system expanded with a central services building in 1982 that added specialized units and has since achieved ANCC recognition for nursing excellence in 2017. The campus serves as a primary hub for the city's residents, handling over 2,000 births annually across the system and addressing local needs amid environmental and socioeconomic pressures. Community health centers supplement hospital services, with the Gary NorthShore Health Center at 2200 Grant Street offering , access, and extended hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through . Marram Health Center operates sites in Gary focused on , , , , services, and behavioral health to support underserved populations. Oak Street Health runs a at 4900 Broadway specializing in and behavioral health for Medicare-eligible patients, emphasizing chronic condition management. The Gary Health Department coordinates initiatives, including a new behavioral health division launched in July 2025 with grants to ten local organizations targeting and amid elevated community rates of and maternal complications. These facilities operate within a context of resource constraints and disparities, where industrial and limited exacerbate risks like and premature births, though Methodist Hospitals remains the dominant provider with not-for-profit status and community investments.

Public Utilities and Emergency Services

Electricity and natural gas services in Gary are provided by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a major utility serving with over 2,900 employees dedicated to reliable energy distribution. Drinking water is supplied by Indiana American Water, which operates facilities in Gary including at 650 Madison Street and maintains compliance with state standards. Wastewater and sewer services are managed by the Gary Sanitary District, a municipal entity focused on treatment and stormwater management, which has faced financial pressures leading to proposals for rate increases on commercial and industrial users to stabilize operations without impacting residential bills as of October 2025. The city's fiscal constraints, including a required repayment of over $12 million to neighboring municipalities due to a state accounting error and ongoing budget shortfalls, have strained utility maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. Recent efforts include enhanced street lighting initiatives to improve public safety and deter crime, addressing long-standing illumination deficiencies. The Gary Police Department, with approximately 145 sworn officers and 18 civilian staff, handles and responds to over 57,000 calls annually as of mid-2024, averaging 200 per day—an 18% increase from prior years—amid staffing shortages and operational challenges identified in state assessments. Its proposed budget for 2024 was $14 million, reflecting priorities in recruitment and community partnerships to enhance . The Gary Fire Department operates from multiple stations, including Station 1 at 200 East 5th Avenue and others across neighborhoods like Midtown and , with a mission centered on fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazard mitigation. Staffing around 172 firefighters and paramedics has encountered overtime compliance issues, resulting in a U.S. Department of Labor recovery of $672,000 in back wages in 2023 due to misapplied rules. The department's 2024 proposed budget of $12 million supports operations but faces reduction pressures and efficiency recommendations like cross-staffing ambulances.

Notable People

Entertainment and Music Figures

Gary, Indiana, has produced several influential figures in music and entertainment, most prominently members of the Jackson family, who rose from local performances to global stardom in the era. The —comprising brothers Jackie (born May 4, 1951), Tito (born October 15, 1953), (born December 11, 1954), Marlon (born March 12, 1957), and Michael (born August 29, 1958)—formed in Gary in 1964 as a family group initially known as the Jackson Brothers, performing in local talent shows and clubs before signing with Records in 1969. The group's early success with hits like "" (1969) and "ABC" (1970) propelled them to fame, with their upbringing in a modest two-bedroom home in Gary shaping their rigorous rehearsal routines under father Joseph Jackson's guidance. Michael Jackson emerged as the group's lead vocalist and later a solo superstar, releasing the best-selling album Thriller (1982), which sold over 70 million copies worldwide and earned eight . His innovative music videos, dance moves like the moonwalk, and philanthropy efforts, including co-writing "We Are the World" (1985), cemented his status as a cultural icon until his death on June 25, 2009. Siblings like (born May 16, 1966), the youngest of the family, achieved separate acclaim as a singer, dancer, and actress, with albums such as Control (1986) and (1989) selling millions and addressing social issues through music. Jermaine Jackson contributed as a Motown songwriter and solo artist, while (born May 29, 1950) pursued a singing career with releases like the 1984 album . Other notable music figures include , an R&B and gospel singer born June 3, 1951, in Gary, who won two Grammys for songs like "Free" (1976) and collaborated with early in her career. Rapper , born June 14, 1982, in Gary, gained recognition in hip-hop with mixtapes and albums such as (2014), blending street narratives with jazz-influenced production, and earning Grammy nominations for projects like Bandana (2019). In entertainment, , born March 5, 1938, in Gary, transitioned from an career—playing for teams including the in (1967)—to acting and directing over 100 films, often in genres like (1972), earning the nickname "The Hammer." These individuals highlight Gary's contributions to American , often drawing from the city's industrial working-class roots in their artistic expressions.

Sports and Business Leaders

Alex Karras, born in Gary on July 15, 1935, was a prominent in the , playing for the from 1958 to 1970 and earning All-Pro recognition five times, including selections to the on four occasions. Fred Williamson, also born in Gary on March 5, 1938 and nicknamed "The Hammer" for his hard-hitting style, competed as a in the with the , , and from 1960 to 1967 before transitioning to the , where he scored six touchdowns on interceptions during his career. LaTroy Hawkins, born December 5, 1972, in Gary and a graduate of West Side High School, pitched for 21 seasons in from 1995 to 2015, accumulating 1,205.2 innings over stints with teams including the , New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs, while recording 58 saves and striking out 1,021 batters. Tom Harmon, who grew up in Gary after being born in Rensselaer, Indiana, on September 26, 1919, excelled as a halfback for the , winning the in 1940 with 1,696 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns that season before brief professional play with the NFL's . In business, , born March 14, 1928, in Gary, led as chief executive officer from 1975 to 1986, overseeing the carrier during a period of financial challenges that included labor disputes and eventual acquisition by in 1986. Nicholas D. Chabraja, born November 6, 1942, in Gary, served as chairman and CEO of Corporation from 1997 to 2009, guiding the defense contractor through expansions in submarine and aircraft production amid post-Cold War consolidations, with the company reporting revenues exceeding $31 billion by 2009.

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