Phillip Ronan "Lip" Gallagher is the second-eldest Gallagher child and the most academic. He is a straight-A student with a 4.6 GPA. While he possesses above average intelligence and excellent mechanical skills, he deliberately wastes time acting like the rest of the people in his town. Lip is self-destructive, a common symptom of being an adult child of an alcoholic. Part of Lip's emotional problems are due to the high expectations his family places on him in their hopes that he will make something of his life and help them in turn. Lip is loyal to his family and protective of his younger siblings

Fiona Monica Gallagher was born on February 23, 1990 to Frank and Monica Gallagher in Chicago, IL. She is the second-oldest child of seven children. She is an older sister to Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, though she is only an older half-sister to Ian. She has been responsible for her younger siblings ever since she was 6 years old. She has olive skin and dark brown eyes. Naturally slim and tall, Fiona wears form fitting clothes. They are mostly hand-me-downs or "borrowed" from the store (worn with the tags still on). Her hair is shoulder length in later seasons.

Carl Francis Hashish Gallagher is the second youngest Gallagher child. He shares a room with his older brothers Lip and Ian. Carl is seen as the trouble maker Carl's interests include drinking, weapons, explosives, and death. Carl does seem to actually be a relatively good child, however he is heavily affected by a completely dysfunctional childhood and family. Nonetheless, he cares deeply about his family, including his father Frank, despite the latter’s complete and utter failure as a parent.

Francis "Frank" Gallagher A hopeless alcoholic and addict, Frank was usually shown passed out drunk on the floors around the house when he was not at the bar spending what little money the family has. In spite of his many faults and treatment, Frank does love his children and at times proves himself a better parent than either his mother or Monica, even rivaling Fiona and Lip. This is best seen when he stayed to raise them, expressed pride in his children when describing them

Deborah "Debbie" Margaret Gallagher was born on November 18, 2000 in Chicago, IL to Frank Gallagher and Monica Gallagher. She has 3 older siblings; Fiona Gallagher, Phillip Gallagher, Ian Gallagher and a little brother; Carl Gallagher. Debbie is a sweet, spirited, smart, kind-hearted girl. She has deep trust and loyalty towards her family, though she tends to be extremely naïve. She lived for years with the hope of having a good father in Frank, hoping he may one day change. Debbie has, or at least had, a great deal of respect, trust and love towards Fiona, who was her closest sibling and only sister.

Mikhailo Aleksandr Milkovich (Михайло Александр Милкович), known as Mickey, is often serious and violent. He generally seems to have physical violence. He is seemingly self-serving. He at first refuses to engage in anything deeper than a friend with benefits with Ian, but displays surprising tenderness for the boy. He's dropped out of high school, and has admitted himself to be His behavior is equally erratic. He is fairly self-aware. However, he displays a severe inability to express himself.