Midtown is home to the most famous residence in Gary, Indiana, the childhood home of the Jackson 5, a popular tourist destination for fans of the King of Pop. The surrounding community has a history of its own tied to steel production. Today, investment is driving change in Midtown. “Gary may be one of the most undervalued areas in the country. A lot of investors have done tremendous jobs of flipping houses out here,” says Mark Keene, a managing broker at BS Realty Services Indiana. Keene was born and raised in the northwest Indiana and has sold homes in Gary and Lake County since 2018. Further, government programs are funding park renovations and addressing public school performance.
Move-in-ready homes and fixer uppers
Single-family homes make up most of the housing stock of Midtown with early 20th century ranch and bungalow-style architecture being the most common. The two and three-bedroom homes are in various conditions with some requiring significant repair and renovation and others more move-in ready. A few split-level homes are also present. Prices range from $7,000 to $70,000 for properties in need of investment to $195,000 for turnkey homes.
Multi-family properties are rarer, often including larger homes converted into two or three units and a few dedicated units. These sell from about $17,000 to $170,000.
STEM learning opportunities at Beveridge Elementary
Students in Midtown generally attend the Gary Community School Corporation. Due to financial issues, the state of Indiana assumed direct leadership of the school from 2017 to 2024. The state transferred control back to the district for the 2024-2025 school year.
Beveridge Elementary School offers a STEM-focused curriculum and a mentorship program in cooperation with employees at U.S. Steel. Niche grades the school a D, while Gary Middle School earns a D-plus. At West Side Leadership Academy, students can enroll in dual-credit and Advanced Placement courses. The school earns a C-minus grade.
Additional options for education include the 21st Century Charter School, on Washington Street which earns a C-plus grade.
Revitalized amenities at Roosevelt Park and Ironwood Park
Close to the former Roosevelt High School campus, Roosevelt Park is one of the area’s key outdoor areas. Visitors play pickup basketball on its two courts. The park's three ball fields received irrigation systems in 2024. It is one of several Gary parks included in the city’s “Jewel Park” modernization program, and plans include an outdoor roller rink. On the neighborhood’s southeast side, Ironwood Park has a picnic area with an open field. The city plans to update the park’s playground with sensory-friendly equipment for children with disabilities.
Cajun dining, breakfast and groceries on Broadway
Most of Midtown’s dining and shopping options are along Broadway at the center of town. Save More Foods has groceries and everyday needs. On the neighborhood’s east side, Carolina Meat Locker & Grocery and Sam’s Market have a butcher and more groceries options. Dollar General and Family Dollar are nearby as is a CVS near Broadway and 13th Street.
J’s Breakfast Club is open for brunch service six days a week and serves chicken and waffles as well as grits with shrimp or catfish. Lo’Shell’s Cajun and Creole Flavors specializes in Louisiana-style soul food, including gumbo, jambalaya and other New Orleans faves. Fast food options on Broadway include Chicago favorite Sharks Fish & Chicken alongside chains like White Castle and Church’s Texas Chicken.
Breakfast gatherings and ball games in Gary
Special events at J’s Breakfast Club include the weekly Saturday Small Business Spotlights where local business owners share meet with restaurant guests, and Silver Mondays, which have specialized topics for older adults.
North of the neighborhood in downtown Gary, the city’s resident baseball team, the Gary SouthShore RailCats, plays at the U.S. Steel Yard ballpark. Situated along the south shore of Lake Michigan, Marquette Park hosts events like the annual Superheroes and Princesses Brunch, where families are encouraged to bring the kids to meet their favorite characters with activities and food from local vendors.
31 miles to the Chicago Loop
Broadway runs north-south down the middle of the neighborhood and connects to Gary and outlying areas. Interstate 94 is a major highway defining the south end of the area. The neighborhood is about 1 mile south of downtown Gary and 31 miles southeast of Chicago.
The area’s nearest emergency room is at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, about 2 miles northwest near Grant Street. Residents traveling out of the northwest Indiana area will have to head up to the Windy City to catch flights; Chicago Midway International Airport is about 30 miles northwest of the neighborhood.
Crime
Midtown’s overall CAP Index crime score is 5, higher than the national average of 4. However, it scores significantly higher than the national average for violent crimes. The Gary Police Department established the Real-Time Crime Center in 2023 to use technology and community collaboration to help residents contribute to violence reduction efforts.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jamesha Norwood,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Gateway Park
Events
Multi-Purpose Field
Buffington Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Jackson Park
Basketball
Pool
Tolleston Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Reed Park
Ironwood Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Roosevelt Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago Midway International
49 min drive
Bus
11th & Grant
Bus
19th & Broadway
Bus
19th & Harrison
Bus
11th Ave.
Bus
25th & Grant
Bus
19th & Pennsylvania
Bus
Midtown & Ymca (15th Ave) Southbound
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Midtown
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Midtown, Gary sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Midtown, Gary over the last 12 months is $64,090, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This attention to detail home is completely remodeled! Spacious open concept living room and dining area, complete with crown molding and beautiful hardwood flooring. The kitchen features quartz countertops, LG stainless steel appliances and a stunning backsplash. The three generously sized bedrooms each equipped with closet lighting. The full unfinished basement is ready for your personal touch.
Get ready to fall in love with this adorable 3-bedroom, 1-bath home that's been completely renovated and ready for you to move in! From the moment you step inside, you'll be swept away by the open floor plan and a flood of natural light. Summer will be here soon but there's no need to sweat, this home has central air. The kitchen? Oh, it's a showstopper! With a custom tile countertop and
Come by and check out this 5 unit apartement. It's needing some love to bring it back to life, but it's generously priced at just $25,000 per unit. Each unit is a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom. They each have a spacious living room, and kitchen. The 6th unit is currently set up as an office. It's all brick, with exterior entry from the wooden stairs/deck on the East side. It has a common area on the
Charming and newly remodeled 2-bedroom, 1-bath home! This cozy property has been thoughtfully updated with a brand-new roof, siding, flooring, electrical, plumbing, and more. It's the perfect opportunity for homeownership with all the hard work already done. Located 5 minutes away from the Hard Rock Casino and next to the expressway making its location very convenient. Don't miss your chance to
Fully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, ready for you to move in! This is a fantastic opportunity to own your own home, conveniently located just minutes from expressway access and only 5 minutes from the Hard Rock Casino. Don't miss out on this ideal combination of comfort and location!
This beautifully renovated 1-bed, 1-bath duplex offers modern upgrades, fresh paint, and stylish finishes throughout. Enjoy a spacious living area, updated kitchen and a refreshed bathroom. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and transit. Perfect for comfortable living with a contemporary touch! Don't miss out--schedule a viewing today! Also accepting section 8.
Property Id: 1816751Great second floor unit with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room with dining room. All new appliances never used. Very close by major expressways. 1 garage parking space, fenced in yard, laundry unit in basement, and so much more! Section 8 vouchers accepted. Schedule your showing now this unit won't last long!
Welcome to this move in ready 3 bed 2 bath rental that has been recently remodeled! With a full basement and bonus room that can be either an office or rec room, there is plenty of space for everyone. There is also a brand new roof, updated electrical and plumbing. Only thing left to do is move in!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jamesha Norwood,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
12,326
Median Age
41
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$26,912
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,207
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.2%
College Graduates
11.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4%
% Population in Labor Force
45.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
42''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
59/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
46/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
