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.
History
A post office called Gary was established in 1874. Gary was platted by the railroad in 1877. It was named for H. B. Gary, a postal official.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The West Branch of the Lac qui Parle River flows through the city as a spring fed stream near its headwaters.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Gary had a population of 240. The median age was 54.5 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 33.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 112.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.1 males age 18 and over.
There were 120 households in Gary, of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 31.7% were married-couple households, 34.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 52.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 29.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 224 || 93.3%
|-
| Black or African American || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 4 || 1.7%
|-
| Asian || 2 || 0.8%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 2 || 0.8%
|-
| Some other race || 4 || 1.7%
|-
| Two or more races || 4 || 1.7%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 5 || 2.1%
|}
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 227 people, 120 households, and 61 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 153 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.9% African American, 1.8% Native American, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 120 households, of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 47.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.67.
The median age in the city was 51.6 years. 18.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.9% were from 25 to 44; 32.6% were from 45 to 64; and 26% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census