What is the Poverty Rate in Gary, Indiana?

What is the poverty rate in Gary, Indiana? The city has a poverty rate of 35.8%, with one out of every 2.8 Gary residents living in poverty. According to the latest data, 27,344 of the 76,469 Gary residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the past year. When compared to the rest of Indiana, Gary has a dramatically higher percentage of residents below the poverty line. The poverty rate for the entire state is 14.6%, meaning that Gary's rate is more than double that of Indiana as a whole.

Severe financial difficulties are more common in Gary than across the country, with the local poverty rate standing at 33.50% and the national poverty rate at 14.1%.The effects of poverty can be seen in many aspects of life in Gary. The city has a higher unemployment rate than the rest of Indiana, with 8.2% of people out of work compared to 4.7% statewide. Additionally, Gary has a lower median household income than the rest of Indiana, with an average household income of $33,945 compared to $54,181 statewide. The city has taken steps to reduce poverty and improve economic opportunities for its residents. In 2019, Gary launched a program called “Gary Works” which provides job training and placement services for local residents.

The program also offers financial literacy classes and assistance with housing and transportation costs. The city has also implemented initiatives to increase access to healthy food options and provide support for small businesses. In addition, Gary has partnered with local organizations to provide educational opportunities for children and adults. Despite these efforts, poverty remains a major issue in Gary. The city's high poverty rate is a reminder that more needs to be done to ensure that all residents have access to economic opportunities and resources.