The Great Gary Exodus

The population of Gary lost nearly a quarter of its population in the last decade, according to 2010 census figures released last week.

The Steel City saw its population decline 22% to 80,294 from 102,746 in 2000. The city had been the largest in Lake County, but the city of Hammond now holds that spot. Mayor Rudy Clay disputed the numbers and said people did not fill out the forms.

Much of Indiana, however, enjoyed a population rise over the last decade. The state’s population rose 6.6% to 6.4 million over the last 10 years.

Indianapolis accounted for much of the growth as the area saw a 15% jump in population since 2000.

The fastest-growing counties include Hamilton County, which saw a 50% jump, and Hendricks County, which was up 40%. The two are now among the fastest-growing counties in the U.S.

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