Gary ZIP Codes — Norman County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Gary, Minnesota and it is 56545. Area code: 218.
1
ZIP codes
153.51
sq mi land
0.34
sq mi water
218
area code
Gary, MN ZIP code map

About Gary, MN

Gary, Minnesota, is a small city located in the heart of Norman County. Known for its affable community and serene landscapes, Gary offers a quiet lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas. The city is home to a tight-knit population that values its scenic surroundings and a strong sense of community.

Location & geography

Gary is situated in the northwestern part of Minnesota, approximately 20 miles southeast of the city of Thief River Falls. The city covers a vast land area of 153.51 square miles, which includes rolling terrain and open spaces, alongside a small water area of 0.34 square miles. Its geographical location places it within close proximity to several other cities, including Ada, which is about 15 miles to the west, Erskine, 18 miles to the southwest, and Beltrami, approximately 12 miles to the northeast.

Community & economy

The character of Gary is defined by its rural charm and a spirit of community involvement. While agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, residents also engage in various small businesses that contribute to daily life. The city hosts events throughout the year that draw residents together and celebrate their local culture and heritage.

Transportation

Gary is accessible via several highways, including Highway 9, which runs north and south, and connects to nearby towns and cities. The closest major airport is the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles away, while local transit options may be limited, encouraging reliance on personal vehicles for transportation needs.

History

Founded in the early 1900s, Gary has a rich history tied to the development of the surrounding farmland and the railroads that facilitated its growth. Key industries in the area have historically included agriculture and the service sector, which continue to shape the local economy today. Notable events in its history often revolve around the community's efforts to maintain its heritage and promote local agriculture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Gary is its unique geographical size, making it one of the larger cities in Minnesota, despite its small population. Additionally, Gary is known for its close community ties, with residents often participating in local events that celebrate their rural traditions.

ZIP codes for Gary, MN (1)
ZIP code City County Map
56545 Gary Norman View map

Demographics & statistics

660
Population
37.5
Median age
$73,000
Median household income
$37,216
Per capita income
$149,100
Median home value
$395
Median monthly rent
91.2%
Home ownership
4.0%
Poverty rate
1.4%
Unemployment
292
Housing units
9.8%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
29
Under 5
22
26
5–9
21
30
10–14
23
22
15–19
17
19
20–24
14
47
25–34
37
33
35–44
25
58
45–54
45
16
55–59
12
22
60–64
17
35
65–74
27
31
75–84
24
5
85+
3
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1818027.3%
18 and over48072.7%
65 and over12518.9%
Median age37.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.9%
Two or more races 4.9%
Black or African American 2.5%
Hispanic or Latino 2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.9%
Other race 1.2%
Asian 0.1%
GroupCount%
White58886.9%
Two or more races334.9%
Black or African American172.5%
Hispanic or Latino172.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native131.9%
Other race81.2%
Asian10.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%
$10k–$15k 1.9%
$15k–$25k 4.2%
$25k–$35k 4.6%
$35k–$50k 13.8%
$50k–$75k 24.2%
$75k–$100k 18.1%
$100k–$150k 20.8%
$150k–$200k 5.0%
$200k+ 4.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.7%
$10k–$15k1.9%
$15k–$25k4.2%
$25k–$35k4.6%
$35k–$50k13.8%
$50k–$75k24.2%
$75k–$100k18.1%
$100k–$150k20.8%
$150k–$200k5.0%
$200k+4.6%
Median income$73,000

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.1%
$50k–$100k 22.4%
$100k–$150k 22.8%
$150k–$200k 17.7%
$200k–$300k 20.7%
$300k–$500k 11.0%
$500k–$1M 0.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$149,100
Median rent / month$395
Owner occupied91.2%
Renter occupied8.8%
Vacant17.5%
Single-family detached94.6%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes4.1%
Median rooms6.1
Avg household size (owned)2.59

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.3%
2010–20193.8%
2000–200912.7%
1990–19994.8%
1980–19895.4%
1970–197915.9%
1960–19695.7%
1950–19598.3%
1940–19496.3%
1939 or earlier36.8%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom1.9%
2 bedrooms20.6%
3 bedrooms44.8%
4 bedrooms26.0%
5+ bedrooms6.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.4%
1 vehicle15.8%
2 vehicles40.8%
3 or more43.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas26.5%
Electricity18.1%
Propane / LP gas38.5%
Fuel oil8.8%
Wood8.1%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family16362.7%
Cohabiting couple145.4%
Male householder, no spouse5220.0%
Female householder, no spouse3111.9%
Households with children under 188331.9%
Households with seniors (65+)8432.3%
Average household size2.54

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married31.3%11.8%
Married58.6%73.1%
Separated1.3%0.0%
Widowed3.0%7.5%
Divorced5.7%7.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.4%
Some HS, no diploma 3.9%
HS graduate 33.9%
Some college, no degree 24.7%
Associate's degree 24.3%
Bachelor's degree 8.7%
Graduate / professional 1.1%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.7%
Bachelor's or higher9.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1911.9%
Kindergarten53.1%
Elementary school8653.8%
High school3924.4%
College / grad school116.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 27.0%
Education & healthcare 20.7%
Construction 14.7%
Retail trade 8.0%
Public administration 7.8%
Transportation & utilities 4.6%
Arts, food & hospitality 4.3%
Wholesale trade 4.0%
Finance & real estate 4.0%
Manufacturing 2.3%
Other services 2.3%
Professional & management 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts30.2%
Service7.8%
Sales & office21.3%
Natural resources & construction29.3%
Production & transportation11.5%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector66.7%
Government21.6%
Self-employed9.8%
Unpaid family workers2.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone75.1%
Carpool9.6%
Public transit0.0%
Walk7.8%
Other means1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)23.5

Poverty

All people 4.0%
Under 18 years 4.0%
18 and over 4.0%
Married-couple families 0.6%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security36.5%
Retirement income21.2%
Supplemental Security1.2%
Cash public assistance1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP4.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.6%
High cholesterol33.2%
Heart disease8.2%
Stroke3.7%
Asthma8.9%
Arthritis28.4%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease7.0%
Cancer8.3%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.9%
No physical activity24.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep28.8%
Fair or poor health14.2%
Poor mental health13.0%
Poor physical health10.9%
No health insurance11.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)73.3%
Visited dentist64.8%
Cholesterol screening91.0%
Teeth loss12.3%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans275.6%
Disability%
Any disability8.9%
Under 184.4%
18–64 years7.9%
65 and over18.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance83.3%
Public insurance37.0%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only60992.3%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)65398.9%
Born in same state65298.8%
Born in different state40160.8%
Foreign born10.2%
Naturalized citizen71.1%
Not a US citizen114.3%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish35353.5%
Italian243.6%
French111.7%
English81.2%
AncestryCount%
German40.6%
Arab30.5%
Dutch20.3%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access39.4%
Internet access89.2%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Gary, MN have?
Gary, MN has one ZIP code: 56545. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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