Gary ZIP Codes — Lake County, IN

There are 8 unique ZIP codes in Gary, Indiana. Area code: 219.

ZIP codes

54.67

sq mi land

8.08

sq mi water

219

area code

Gary, IN ZIP code map

About Gary, IN

Gary, Indiana, is a vibrant city situated in Lake County, known for its rich industrial history and diverse community. Founded in the early 20th century, it was once a booming center for steel production. Today, Gary is recognized for its cultural heritage and efforts to revitalize its downtown area.

Location & geography

Gary is located in the northwest region of Indiana, approximately 30 miles from downtown Chicago, making it part of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The city covers a land area of 54.67 square miles and includes 8.08 square miles of water, contributing to its diverse landscape. It is bordered by the cities of East Chicago to the east and Hammond to the south, while the vast Lake Michigan shoreline lies to the northwest.

Community & economy

The character of Gary is shaped by its historical significance as a steel town, which fostered a strong sense of community among its residents. Today, industries in Gary are beginning to shift towards logistics, healthcare, and tourism, reflecting the city’s commitment to economic diversification. Daily life in Gary features a variety of local events, community gatherings, and recreational activities that engage residents and promote unity.

Transportation

Gary is well-connected by several major highways, including Interstate 90, which provides easy access to both Chicago and the broader Midwest region. The nearest major airport is the Gary/Chicago International Airport, facilitating both commercial flights and private aviation. Public transit options include local bus services that link Gary to the surrounding areas.

History

Gary was founded in 1906 by the United States Steel Corporation and quickly became a hub for steel manufacturing; this solidified its place in American industrial history. Throughout the 20th century, the city's economy was largely driven by the steel industry, with numerous plants once operating in the area. Notable events include the decline of the steel industry in the 1980s, which led to significant economic changes and challenges for the city.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Gary is that it was the birthplace of the iconic pop superstar Michael Jackson and the Jackson family. Additionally, the city is home to the historic Gary Land Company Building, a notable architectural gem that reflects its industrial past.

ZIP codes for Gary, IN (8)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
46401	Gary	Lake	View map
46402	Gary	Lake	View map
46403	Gary	Lake	View map
46404	Gary	Lake	View map
46406	Gary	Lake	View map
46407	Gary	Lake	View map
46408	Gary	Lake	View map
46409	Gary	Lake	View map

Demographics & statistics

73,872

Population

37.2

Median age

$38,404

Median household income

$21,296

Per capita income

$83,643

Median home value

$937

Median monthly rent

48.7%

Home ownership

32.5%

Poverty rate

14.0%

Unemployment

25,980

Housing units

13.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,365

Under 5

2,723

2,795

5–9

3,218

2,616

10–14

3,012

2,342

15–19

2,696

2,115

20–24

2,436

3,960

25–34

4,560

3,923

35–44

4,516

3,772

45–54

4,342

2,036

55–59

2,344

2,217

60–64

2,553

3,810

65–74

4,386

1,662

75–84

1,914

725

85+

834

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	20,156	27.9%
18 and over	53,716	72.1%
65 and over	13,331	17.9%
Median age	37.2 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 68.3%

White 15.9%

Hispanic or Latino 6.4%

Two or more races 6.3%

Other race 2.6%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	53,904	68.3%
White	12,549	15.9%
Hispanic or Latino	5,054	6.4%
Two or more races	5,011	6.3%
Other race	2,065	2.6%
Asian	262	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	77	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 12.6%

$10k–$15k 8.1%

$15k–$25k 13.9%

$25k–$35k 14.6%

$35k–$50k 15.2%

$50k–$75k 16.0%

$75k–$100k 8.2%

$100k–$150k 7.8%

$150k–$200k 2.5%

$200k+ 1.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	12.6%
$10k–$15k	8.1%
$15k–$25k	13.9%
$25k–$35k	14.6%
$35k–$50k	15.2%
$50k–$75k	16.0%
$75k–$100k	8.2%
$100k–$150k	7.8%
$150k–$200k	2.5%
$200k+	1.1%
Median income	$38,404

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 28.4%

$50k–$100k 35.9%

$100k–$150k 13.7%

$150k–$200k 11.9%

$200k–$300k 6.2%

$300k–$500k 2.8%

$500k–$1M 0.9%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$83,643
Median rent / month	$937
Owner occupied	48.7%
Renter occupied	51.3%
Vacant	28.3%
Single-family detached	72.6%
Large apartment buildings	5.4%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.28

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	1.6%
2000–2009	3.0%
1990–1999	2.9%
1980–1989	4.1%
1970–1979	11.8%
1960–1969	15.7%
1950–1959	22.7%
1940–1949	14.6%
1939 or earlier	23.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	8.0%
2 bedrooms	36.5%
3 bedrooms	40.9%
4 bedrooms	11.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	14.5%
1 vehicle	49.3%
2 vehicles	24.7%
3 or more	11.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	86.3%
Electricity	11.2%
Propane / LP gas	1.2%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,461	20.7%
Cohabiting couple	1,973	6.7%
Male householder, no spouse	7,002	23.8%
Female householder, no spouse	14,054	48.8%
Households with children under 18	9,001	30.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	10,340	35.0%
Average household size	2.49

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	49.2%	47.3%
Married	26.8%	22.0%
Separated	4.3%	3.4%
Widowed	5.8%	11.9%
Divorced	13.9%	15.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.6%

Some HS, no diploma 10.1%

HS graduate 40.5%

Some college, no degree 23.2%

Associate's degree 8.3%

Bachelor's degree 8.0%

Graduate / professional 5.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.3%
Bachelor's or higher	13.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,253	6.3%
Kindergarten	1,287	7.6%
Elementary school	8,955	49.9%
High school	4,386	23.7%
College / grad school	2,176	12.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.6%

Manufacturing 12.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.6%

Retail trade 12.5%

Professional & management 9.7%

Transportation & utilities 8.3%

Other services 5.0%

Construction 3.8%

Public administration 3.6%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Information 0.8%

Agriculture & mining 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.7%
Service	27.1%
Sales & office	22.3%
Natural resources & construction	6.4%
Production & transportation	21.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	86.1%
Government	9.5%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.4%
Carpool	11.3%
Public transit	3.2%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	3.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.3

Poverty

All people 32.5%

Under 18 years 52.7%

18 and over 24.8%

Married-couple families 7.7%

Female-led households 42.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	25.8%
Supplemental Security	11.5%
Cash public assistance	3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	29.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	48.3%
High cholesterol	31.5%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	6.3%
Asthma	13.1%
Arthritis	33.6%
Kidney disease	4.9%
Pulmonary disease	10.8%
Cancer	5.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.6%
No physical activity	41.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	44.7%
Fair or poor health	30.6%
Poor mental health	17.4%
Poor physical health	16.8%
No health insurance	20.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	82.1%
Visited dentist	44.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	28.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,033	7.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.7%
Under 18	5.1%
18–64 years	18.2%
65 and over	36.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	40.1%
Public insurance	62.2%
Uninsured under 19	5.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	68,784	93.2%
Spanish	784	1.1%
Other Indo-European	667	0.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	12	0.0%
Other languages	70	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	72,461	98.1%
Born in same state	72,144	97.7%
Born in different state	43,866	59.3%
Foreign born	317	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	1,411	1.9%
Not a US citizen	504	42.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,178	2.9%
French	1,524	2.1%
Arab	993	1.3%
English	412	0.6%
Irish	268	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	45	0.1%
Polish	27	0%
Dutch	11	0%
German	10	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.0%
Internet access	87.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Gary, IN have?

Gary, IN has 7 ZIP codes: 46402, 46403, 46404, 46406, 46407, 46408, and 46409. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.