Editing Gary, West Virginia

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                            = Gary, West Virginia
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| image_skyline                   = Gary WV center.jpg
| image_alt                       = 
| image_caption                   = Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
| image_flag                      = 
| flag_alt                        = 
| image_seal                      = 
| seal_alt                        = 
| image_shield                    = 
| shield_alt                      = 
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
| image_map                       = File:McDowell County West Virginia Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Gary Highlighted.svg
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = Location of Gary in [[McDowell County, West Virginia]] (left) and of McDowell County in [[West Virginia]] (right)
| coordinates                     = {{coord|37|21|41|N|81|32|11|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint                   = 
| coordinates_footnotes           = 
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in West Virginia|County]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[West Virginia]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[McDowell County, West Virginia|McDowell]]
| established_title               = Founded
| established_date                = 1902
| established_title2              = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2               = July 1, 1971
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = [[Elbert H. Gary]]
| seat_type                       = 
| seat                            = 
| government_footnotes            = <ref name="mayor">{{cite web|url=http://www.regiononepdc.org/Local_Governments.pdf|title=McDowell County Mayors|publisher=Region I Planning & Development Council|access-date=2013-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131252/http://www.regiononepdc.org/Local_Governments.pdf|archive-date=2014-07-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| government_type                 = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_party                    = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Larry Hairston  <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://councilofthesouthernmountains.com/newsletter|title=Council of the Southern Mountains - Newsletter|website=councilofthesouthernmountains.com|access-date=Nov 18, 2020|archive-date=January 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119091512/http://councilofthesouthernmountains.com/newsletter|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_54.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi                = 0.87
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 0.84
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.03
| dimensions_footnotes            = 
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_ft                    = 1,411
| population_total                = 762
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_sq_mi        = 936.98
| population_est                  = 730
| pop_est_as_of                   = 2021
| pop_est_footnotes               = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
| population_demonym              = 
| timezone1                       = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset1                     = −05:00
| timezone1_DST                   = [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST                 = -04:00
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code                     = 24836
| area_code                       = [[Area codes 304 and 681|304, 681]]
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
| iso_code                        = 
| website                         = 
| footnotes                       = 
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 54-30196
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 1554536<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 2.26
| area_land_km2                   = 2.18
| area_water_km2                  = 0.08
| population_density_km2          = 361.88
| official_name                   = 
}}

'''Gary''' is a city located along the [[Tug Fork River]] in [[McDowell County, West Virginia|McDowell County]], [[West Virginia]], United States. According to the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]],<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/> the city had a population of 762. It was named for [[Elbert Henry Gary]], one of the founders of [[U.S. Steel]]. The former [[coal town]]s of [[Elbert, West Virginia|Elbert]], [[Filbert, West Virginia|Filbert]], [[Thorpe, West Virginia|Thorpe]], and [[Wilcoe, West Virginia|Wilcoe]] became part of Gary at the time of its incorporation in 1971.<ref>{{cite book |title= U.S. Steel and Gary, West Virginia: Corporate Paternalism in Appalachia|last= Garay |first= Ronald |year= 2011|publisher= University of Tennessee Press |location= Knoxville, TN |ISBN= 1572337974 |page= 103}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg|thumb|left|Child coal miners in Gary, photographed in 1908 by [[Lewis Hine]]]]
In 1902, [[U.S. Steel]] began housing people in Gary Hollow for employment at one of the [[coal town]]'s fourteen mines that produced [[metallurgical coal]].<ref name="earlybeginnings">{{cite news|url=http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/Books/201302080136|title=Book review: The rise and fall of Gary, W.Va.|work=The Charleston Gazette|date=2013-02-09|access-date=2013-06-18|author=Nyden, Paul J.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529041545/http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/Books/201302080136|archive-date=2013-05-29}}</ref>

During the early 1940s, Gary Hollow, named for [[Elbert Henry Gary]],<ref name="elberthenrynamedfor">{{cite web|url=http://www.abandonedonline.net/neighborhoods/gary-west-virginia/|title=Gary, West Virginia|publisher=Abandoned|access-date=2013-06-18}}</ref> produced around a quarter of the amount of coal mined from McDowell County, as well as a quarter of the coal used by U.S. Steel during [[World War II]].<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> At the time, the town boasted a large number of [[African American]] miners and began integrating the school system in the 1950s.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> However, Gary Hollow's education system was not completely integrated until 1964.<ref name="earlybeginnings" />

On July 1, 1971, the city of Gary was incorporated after the city held an election on March 16, 1970.<ref name="incorporation">{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.wv.gov/elections/municipalities/Documents/Municipal%20Charters/Gary%20Charter.pdf|title=Charter of City of Gary|publisher=West Virginia Secretary of State Office|date=1999-01-05|access-date=2013-06-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311201204/http://www.sos.wv.gov/elections/municipalities/Documents/Municipal%20Charters/Gary%20Charter.pdf|archive-date=2014-03-11}}</ref> Beginning in the 1970s, Gary's unemployment rate began to increase after most of the high-quality metallurgical coal had already been mined.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> In March 1982 alone, around 550 miners employed by U.S. Steel in the town were [[Layoff|laid off]].<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> By the end of 1982, all U.S. Steel mines located in Gary were closed.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> Former mayor, Charles Hodge claimed that U.S. Steel failed to make an effort help the city.<ref name="earlybeginnings" />

In March 1983, the unemployment rate rose to 90%, the highest of any town in the United States.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> Four years later,  Gary Enterprise reopened one of the mines after purchasing it from U.S. Steel, and other companies arranged sub-leases to mine the remaining coal that was accessible.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> In 1990, Gary only had 180 mining jobs.<ref name="earlybeginnings" /> Two years later, the now demolished [[U.S. Coal and Coke Company Store]] at [[Ream, West Virginia|Ream]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> In July 2003, U.S. Steel announced that they sold their remaining assets to PinnOak Resources.<ref name="earlybeginnings" />

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Gary has a total area of {{convert|0.87|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.84|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2013-01-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref><ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

Gary has a [[railway station]] on the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], known previously as the [[Norfolk and Western]] network.

===Climate===
{{Weather box|width=auto
|collapsed=yes
|location = Gary, West Virginia
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 79
|Feb record high F = 79
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 94
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 100
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 83
|Dec record high F = 79
|year record high F=
|Jan high F = 44
|Feb high F = 48
|Mar high F = 56
|Apr high F = 67
|May high F = 75
|Jun high F = 82
|Jul high F = 86
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 78
|Oct high F = 68
|Nov high F = 58
|Dec high F = 48
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 21
|Feb low F = 24
|Mar low F = 30
|Apr low F = 37
|May low F = 46
|Jun low F = 55
|Jul low F = 60
|Aug low F = 60
|Sep low F = 53
|Oct low F = 40
|Nov low F = 31
|Dec low F = 24
|year low F=
|Jan record low F = −26
|Feb record low F = −6
|Mar record low F = −6
|Apr record low F = 15
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 32
|Jul record low F = 39
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = 1
|Dec record low F = −9
|year record low F=
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.61
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.00
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.40
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.73
|May precipitation inch = 4.25
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.54
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.20
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.89
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.87
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.73
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.74
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.70
|year precipitation inch= 40.66
|source 1 = [[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]].<ref name=climate>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USWV0273|title=MONTHLY AVERAGES for Gary, WV|publisher=[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]|access-date=2011-03-06|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023203342/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USWV0273|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|date=March 2011}}

==Demographics==
===2010 census===
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1960= 1393
|1980= 2233
|1990= 1355
|2000= 917
|2010= 968
|2020= 762
|estyear=2021
|estimate=730
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 11, 2013}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-24}}</ref> of 2010, there were 968 people, 391 households, and 244 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1152.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 536 housing units at an average density of {{convert|638.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 70.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 27.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 391 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the city was 52.4 years. 16.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 30.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 917 people, 420 households, and 260 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,024.0 people per square mile (393.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 542 housing units at an average density of 605.2 per square mile (232.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 61.40% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 35.55% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.11% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 2.94% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.55% of the population.

There were 420 households, out of which 17.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 36.0% 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 2.18 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 32.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,857, and the median income for a family was $30,938. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $17,019 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,233. About 24.2% of families and 30.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 58.2% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable person==
* [[Johnny Bero]], professional baseball player who was an infielder for parts of two seasons with the [[Detroit Tigers]] and [[St. Louis Browns]].<ref>{{cite web|title=John Bero|website=Baseball Reference|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berojo01.shtml|access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.coalcampusa.com/sowv/flattop/gary/gary.htm Coalfields of the Appalachian Mountains&nbsp;– Gary, WV]

{{McDowell County, West Virginia|state=collapsed}}
{{West Virginia municipalities}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Cities in McDowell County, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Coal towns in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Company towns in West Virginia]]
[[Category:West Virginia populated places on the Tug Fork]]