Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Home to 3 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gary’s trail density is 1.4 miles per square mile, above both South Dakota’s towns (0.6) and U.S. towns (0.4). Its National Register listings include South Dakota School for the Blind and Odd Fellows Building. Gary has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Gary beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 277 in 1890, a peak of 588 in 1920, 240 in 2020. The archive holds 3 old photos and papers going back to 1883 and 2 maps from 1967 on.
3 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Gary, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in Gary.
The share of households in Gary who live in a home they own: 79%. Home values are up 11% over the year to September 2026. The typical Gary home is worth about $445,000, up 10.7% in a year, 40% above the South Dakota typical home.
| Gary | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $461 a month | $962 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 79% | 68% | 73% |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
The peak summer temperature for Gary comes to 83°F, below both the South Dakota town median (85°F) and the median of U.S. towns (85°F).
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Among working residents in Gary, 2.2% work locally. This South Dakota town had 110 jobs in 2023, down 24 from 2013. The income of the median household for Gary comes to $52,000. Half commute less than 34 miles.
| Gary | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 2.2% | 29% | 8% |
| Median household income | $52,000 | $72,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 23 minutes | 17 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 8.5% | 9.5% | 9.6% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Just over a third of Gary’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by cold waves at 20%. Storm and flood damage is expected to run lower than in 64% of U.S. communities. Households in the town have drawn federal disaster aid in 2 declared disasters, most recently in 2013.
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
For adults in Gary, the share who report frequent physical distress is 13%. Only 2 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a higher share of adults who have high blood pressure than Gary. Against the South Dakota average, Gary comes out ahead on 5 CDC measures out of 26, and behind on 6.
| Gary | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 15% | 17% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 30% | 36% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 31% | 35% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 22% | 23% |
| What stands out | Gary | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults in frequent mental distress | 12.8% | 15.3% |
| More adults screened for colon cancer | 73.6% | 65.5% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 13.1% | 9.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of Gary; the nearest are
About 1 of every 100 Gary residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
City in South Dakota, United States
Gary is a city in Deuel County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 240 at the 2020 census. South Dakota Highway 101 serves as the main route of the community. In 2022, the town celebrated its 150th anniversary.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Gary has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real. Home to 3 places on the National Register of Historic Places.