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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cary

North Carolina · 174,721 residents · 60.128 sq mi
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The short version

Cary is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $107,463. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 85% since 2000. 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $376,600. Poverty is rare here, at 4.7% of residents. Households here earn about 90% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
69% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
174,721
+85%since 2000
from 94,536 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,906 / sq mi
+85%since 2000
from 1,572 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.8
+15%since 2000
from 33.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K71K112K152K193K1990201020202024Cary
2024179K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$107,463
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,122 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$52,017
+58%since 2000
from $32,974 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
66.0%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information7.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.4%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$376,600
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $193,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,312
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $826 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.7%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.8% in 2000
35.3% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+36%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cary on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.7%(75,299)
Black6.1%(5,744)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(4,047)
Asian8.1%(7,636)
Other0%
Diversity Score41%(38,764)
2020
White, non-Hispanic56.9%(99,357)
Black7.7%(13,506)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(14,376)
Asian22.3%(39,035)
Other3.6%(6,357)
Diversity Score75.4%(131,741)
Diversity Score
75
+84%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
68.6%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
30.6%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+65%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 73.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
64.8%
−14.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
22.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.5%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cary

Cambridge
Pop 122,588
Naperville
Pop 153,114
Frisco
Pop 236,955
Olathe
Pop 150,025
Places similar to Cary
Head to head

Compare Cary to nearby cities

CARY VS
Morrisville
Income$125,396+17%
Home value$518,800+38%
Population32,466−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARY VS
Apex
Income$144,135+34%
Home value$576,100+53%
Population80,419−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARY VS
Holly Springs
Income$135,578+26%
Home value$535,800+42%
Population50,288−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARY VS
Raleigh
Income$85,395−21%
Home value$415,800+10%
Population506,306+176%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cary, North Carolina?

Cary, North Carolina has about 174,721 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cary, North Carolina?

The typical household in Cary, North Carolina earns about $107,463 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cary, North Carolina expensive?

In Cary, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $376,600, and the typical rent is about $1,312 a month.

How educated are people in Cary, North Carolina?

About 68.6% of adults age 25 and over in Cary, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cary, North Carolina?

About 4.7% of people in Cary, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cary, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cary, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 130,863 residents, a change of about 298 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →