Living in Gary, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gary · Census data 2020–2024
Gary has 861 residents with a median age of 39.9. The median household income is $41,603 (30% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $50,900.
Gary is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Gary at a glance
- Population
- 861
- Median age
- 39.9State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $41,603State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $50,900State: $162,600
- Homeowners
- 95.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Average commute
- 50 min
Is Gary a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 69% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.9%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 50 minutes.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Gary
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gary the median home value is $50,900, 85% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $975 a month in housing costs.
Gary median household income
The median household income in Gary is $41,603 and the income per person is $24,443. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Gary: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 489
- Owner-occupied
- 95.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 4.1%
- Vacant
- 45.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.88
45.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Gary has many vacation and second homes.
Gary demographics
- Population
- 861
- Median age
- 39.9
- Under 18
- 17.2%
- 65 and older
- 21.6%
- Households
- 267
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 2.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gary ›
Education in Gary
11% of adults 25 and older in Gary have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 0% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gary
- Unemployment rate
- 0.9%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 50 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 99.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.5%
Gary vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | 861 | $41,603 | $50,900 | — |
| Welch | 3,507 | $32,969 | $57,300 | $441 |
| Anawalt | 109 | $38,000 | — | — |
| Northfork | 169 | $50,208 | $33,700 | — |
| War | 628 | $29,500 | $32,600 | $703 |
| Abbs Valley | 124 | $52,132 | $257,600 | — |
| Davy | 186 | $32,500 | $30,800 | — |
| Boissevain | 830 | $27,516 | $32,100 | — |
More for people moving to Gary
Gary ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gary: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gary, WV?
The median household income in Gary is $41,603, 30% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Gary?
The median home value in Gary is $50,900, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
Is Gary, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 69% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.9%; a poverty rate of 12.8%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 50 minutes.
What is the median age in Gary?
The median age in Gary is 39.9 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Gary?
The average commute to work in Gary is 50 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gary?
The unemployment rate in Gary is 0.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gary?
11% of adults in Gary have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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