Is Gary, Indiana Really as Dangerous as People Say? – 2024 Update

Gary, Indiana, founded in 1906, was built as a thriving industrial city by the United States Steel Corporation. Named after Elbert H. Gary, the corporation’s founding chairman, the city quickly became a beacon of opportunity during the early 20th century.

Located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Gary was strategically positioned for industrial growth, particularly in steel production, which became the backbone of its economy.

During its peak, Gary attracted thousands of workers, including immigrants and African Americans migrating from the South during the Great Migration, seeking jobs in the steel mills.

The city flourished, with its population exceeding 200,000 by the mid-20th century, and became a symbol of American industrial strength. It also played a significant cultural role, being the birthplace of legendary musicians such as the Jackson 5.

Job losses, economic downturns, and a shrinking population led to urban decay, leaving Gary a shadow of its former industrial glory.

Despite its struggles, Gary remains a city rich in history, resilience, and cultural significance, striving to reinvent itself in the face of modern challenges.

If you asked me a few years ago what I know about Gary, Indiana, I would tell you that Gary is the city where Michael Jackson was born: that’s all. So, I thought the things were a bit brighter there. But boy was I wrong.

To be honest, Michael Jackson was the very reason I wanted to explore further what’s going on in Gary (you’ve heard about its crime rates too, right?).

According to Area Vibes who used the FBI’s crime reports, crime rates in Gary, Indiana, are 30% higher than the national average, which makes it one of the more dangerous places in the U.S.

Key Takeaways

• Crime rates in Gary, Indiana, are 30% higher than the national average.
• In 1995, Gary had 129 murders, the highest murder rate per capita in the U.S., alongside over 3,000 reported crimes.
• In 2023, the city reported 325 violent crimes (4.78 per 1,000 residents) and 2,121 property crimes (31.20 per 1,000 residents).
• Gary’s population has declined from a peak of 200,000 to 69,100 in 2020.
• The city’s median household income is $31,936, with many residents living below the poverty line.

Crime Rates – Then and Now

Back in 1994-1995, Gary was ranked as the most dangerous place in the United States. According to  reports from Tuko, with a population of 115,269 in 1995, the city saw over 3,000 reported crimes that year.

The most shocking statistic? There were 129 murders in 1995, giving Gary the highest number of murders per capita in the country.

Today, crime rates in Gary have improved since the 1990s, but the city is still considered dangerous. Despite improvements, residents still experience high levels of fear. Many are afraid to walk the streets alone due to the risk of being robbed or shot.

Based on the data provided, Gary, Indiana, reported the following crime statistics:

Crime Type	Number of Crimes	Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)
Violent Crimes	325	4.78
Property Crimes	2,121	31.20
Total Crimes	2,446	35.99

*This table outlines both the number of crimes and the crime rates per 1,000 residents for violent and property crimes in Gary, released from FBI in Oct. 2023 (latest available).

No Doubt – Economic Collapse Equals Declining Population

The population of Gary has been on a steady decline. From a peak of around 200,000 residents, the number dwindled to just 69,100 as of 2020. The economic downturn brought on by the collapse of the steel industry led to high poverty rates and an increase in crime.

As stated by Data USA, the city is primarily home to three main ethnic groups: Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, who make up the largest group with around 53,500 people (±1,170); White (Non-Hispanic) residents, numbering approximately 6,740 (±917); and individuals identifying as Two or More Races (Hispanic), totaling around 2,590 (±589).

According to IURC, today, Gary’s median household income stands at $31,936, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line.

Crime Solved… Or Not?

An equally troubling issue is the low clearance rate for violent crimes. At just 16.9%, this means that the majority of violent crimes go unsolved. This lack of closure can contribute to a pervasive sense of insecurity among residents. Imagine living in a place where most crimes don’t see justice—it’s not hard to understand why some might feel hopeless.

i like this guy on tik tok, he just drives around dangerous cities in america, check out this abandoned church in Gary Indiana. Wild city. pic.twitter.com/WqYE81lMoU

— mash tun (@MashTunTimmy) April 9, 2023

Community Programs That Could Help…

According to the Law Office of Mark Nicholson, the city has invested $150 million in a comprehensive plan aimed at broadening access to mental health services, supporting community programs such as the Peacemakers and Indy Peace Fellowship, and establishing a 911 response team led by a clinician.

Abandoned Properties Contribute to High Crime Rates

Abandoned buildings and homes are everywhere in Gary and they cause more than just an ugly sight – they can attract criminal activities like drug use or illegal squatting. They also make certain areas feel deserted and unsafe, which can discourage community engagement and make it harder to revitalize neighborhoods.

It’s a vicious cycle: crime drives people away, which reduces the tax base, which in turn means even fewer resources to combat crime.

*The city’s budget constraints affect everything from police presence to community programs. With fewer officers on the streets and limited funds for initiatives that might keep kids and teens out of trouble, crime can thrive.

Are There Safe Areas in Gary? Well, You Might Be Surprised…

It’s easy to paint the entire city with a broad brush, but that would be unfair. While crime rates are high, not every part of Gary is equally dangerous. There are neighborhoods where people feel safe and have a strong sense of community:

Gary, Indiana was once safe, successful, and dubbed “The Magic City”, but Gary became a murder capital. Gary’s transformation is blamed on losing its industry, but lots of factory towns lost their jobs and didn’t degenerate into a homicide hotbed. So what else changed in Gary? pic.twitter.com/gTrgxNaSUE

— Frank DeScushin (@FrankDeScushin) September 26, 2023

Man charged with beating 2-year-old boy to death in Gary, Indiana, read more HERE

Final Words

Gary, Indiana, is a city with a complex history. Once a thriving industrial hub, it fell into decline and became infamous for its crime rates. While the city still faces significant crime challenges that make it dangerous, ongoing efforts to improve safety and revitalize the community offer hope.

Gary Police Investigating Homicide Inside Gas Station Friday https://t.co/WTXjCjlNIA #RegionNews pic.twitter.com/gCro3cdXn8

— NW Indiana News (@NWINews) November 30, 2024

Methodology

We at Indiana Enviromental compiled data for this article by analyzing crime statistics from reliable sources such as FBI reports and Area Vibes, cross-referencing them with demographic and socioeconomic insights from Data USA and local government publications.

Additionally, we reviewed firsthand accounts, community initiatives, and expert commentary to provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and progress in Gary, Indiana.

Sources

1. Tuko – Why is Gary, Indiana so dangerous?

2. Daily Mail – The brutal reality of life in America’s ‘most MISERABLE’ city

3. The Trace – Gary, Indiana, Begins to See Fewer Homicides as Community Leaders Band Together

4. Neighborhood Scout – Gary, IN Crime Rates

5. Mark Nicholson Law – Indiana’s Deadliest Cities

6. Area Vibes – Gary, In Crime

7. Data USA – Gary, In