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The fourth-largest city in the state, Gary is also the largest U.S. city founded in the twentieth century. Once a leading steel producing center that was often called "Steel City," Gary's beautiful Lake Michigan beaches now host a growing tourist industry drawn to the new multi-million dollar redevelopment project featuring casino boats and marinas. Water and air pollution have been vastly improved in order to help implement this economic shift. The geographical placement of Gary in the Calumet region provides visitors with a huge variety of natural attractions, from the lakeshore to protected inland prairies, nature preserves, numerous parks, and rare wildlife. Gary exists as a port of entry with enough resources to guarantee energy for industrial expansion.
The City In Brief
Founded: 1906. Designated a city in 1909
Head Official: Mayor Scott L. King (D) (since 1996)
City Population 1980: 151,968
1990: 116,646
2000: 102,746
2003 estimate: 99,961
Percent change, 1990–2000: -11.9%
U.S. rank in 1980: 104th
U.S. rank in 1990: 163rd
U.S. rank in 2000: 251st
Metropolitan Area Population 1980: 643,000
1990: 604,526
2000: 484,564
Percent change, 1990–2000: -19.8
U.S. rank in 1990: 3rd (CMSA)
U.S. rank in 2000: 3rd (CMSA)
Area: 50 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 590 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 48.9° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 34.66 inches of rain, 39.2 inches of snowfall
Major Economic Sectors: Trade, services, manufacturing, and tourism
Unemployment Rate: 6.6% (March 2005)
Per Capita Income: $14,383 (1999)
2004 ACCRA Average House Price: Not reported
2004 ACCRA Cost of Living Index: Not reported
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 5,812
Major Colleges and Universities: Indiana University Northwest, Indiana Vocational Technical College
Daily Newspaper:Post-Tribune
Cities of the United States. Copyright © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
