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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Gary, IN vs Bloomington, IN

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Gary spends 40.5% more per capita than Bloomington ($6,296/person difference). Bloomington, IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Gary, IN
Pop. 69,136
B
71/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency39
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Bloomington, IN
Pop. 79,006
B
75/100
Budget Balance69
Debt Burden78
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Gary
Bloomington
Total Spending
$1.5B
$1.2B
Spending / Capita
$21,825
$15,529
Total Revenue
$2.1B
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$30,129
$24,552
Total Debt
$0
$28.2M
Debt / Capita
$0
$356
Population
69,136
79,006
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Gary$231
Bloomington$183
Highways & Roads
Gary$210
Bloomington$116
Parks & Recreation
Gary$358
Bloomington$1,294

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

GaryBloomington
Property Tax
$0
$364
Sales Tax
$46
$885
Income Tax
$64
$227
Intergovernmental
$30,129
$3,245
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,522
Other
$10,510
$3,643

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

GaryBloomington
Fire Protection
$231
$183
Highways & Roads
$210
$116
Public Welfare
$886
$759
Hospitals
$721
$362
Parks & Recreation
$358
$1,294
Housing
$2,936
$1,661
Utilities
$113
$1,857
Interest on Debt
$846
$1,179
Other
$15,525
$8,118
B
Gary, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health
B
Bloomington, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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