Gary ranked as least desirable to live in the Hoosier State
Gary, Indiana – Regardless of the state in which you reside, certain towns and cities can pose significant challenges in securing employment, ensuring personal safety, or simply experiencing joy in everyday life.
Indiana, the Hoosier State, is no exception. It hosts a myriad of wonderful places to settle down, but also presents a selection of less desirable options.
24/7 Wall St., in an endeavor to identify the least desirable place to live in each state, has constructed a weighted index comprised of more than two dozen parameters. All boroughs, census-designated locations, cities, towns, and villages, with a population exceeding 8,000, were considered.
According to this comprehensive assessment by 24/7 Wall St., Gary emerges as the least preferable place to live in Indiana.
Gary has infamously been recognized as one of the most dilapidated cities in the United States, illustrating the devastating impacts of the loss of local manufacturing jobs.
Once a thriving steel industry hub, Gary has experienced a drastic population decrease of 55% from its pinnacle in the 1960s due to international competition and industrial restructuring. Presently, a large portion of the city remains uninhabited, grappling with substantial social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and crime.
Gary’s statistics are among the most distressing in the entire state. Over a third of its inhabitants live under the poverty line, and it is estimated that 8% of the population is unemployed. Furthermore, the city’s crime rate surpasses at least a quarter of all cities nationwide.
It might not come as a surprise that Gary is labeled as the least desirable city to live in Indiana, but there might be a glimmer of hope for this beleaguered city. Over the coming decades, Gary may have the potential for regeneration.
The city’s architectural heritage, historical significance, waterfront location, and proximity to Chicago could make it a prime candidate for gentrification. Provided the necessary resources, Gary could transform, as it presents a significant opportunity for urban renewal.
