Cary, NC
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Cary, North Carolina Summary

Life in Cary research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Cary over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Cary:

  • The population in Cary is 176,686.

  • The median home value in Cary is $621,069.

  • The median income in Cary is $129,399.

  • The cost of living in Cary is 125 which is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in Cary is $1,621.

  • The unemployment rate in Cary is 3.4%.

  • The poverty rate in Cary is 5.3%.

  • The average high in Cary is 70.7° and the average low is 48.9°.

Cary SnackAbility

9.5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9/10
Housing
9
Affordability
8
Diversity
9
Safety
8.5
Amenities
9
Education
9.5
Commute
8

Cary, NC Crime Report

Crime in Cary summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Cary. Key points include:

  • There were 2,524 total crimes in Cary in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Cary is 1,388.4 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Cary is 71.0 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Cary is 1,317.4 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Cary is -34.49% below the national average.

2,524
Total Crimes
-34.49%
Below National Average

Crime In Cary Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Cary
/ 100k People
North Carolina
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,524 1,388.4 2,343.9 2,119.2
Violent Crime 129 71.0 375.8 359.0
Murder 3 1.7 7.5 5.0
Robbery 23 12.7 50.2 61.0
Aggravated Assault 91 50.1 290.1 256.0
Property Crime 2,395 1,317.4 1,968.1 1,760.0
Burglary 161 88.6 323.9 229.0
Larceny 2,019 1,110.6 1,390.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 215 118.3 254.1 259.0

Cary, NC Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Cary summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Cary. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around North Carolina. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Cary is 125 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Cary is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Cary is $621,069.

  • The median income in Cary is $129,399.

125
Cary's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Cary Comparison Table

Living Expense Cary North Carolina National Average
Overall 125 92 100
Services 97 100 100
Groceries 99 99 100
Health 111 106 100
Housing 183 86 100
Transportation 95 93 100
Utilities 97 95 100

Cary, NC Weather

  • The average high in Cary is 70.7° and the average low is 48.9°.

  • There are 75.0 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 46.2 inches of precipitation each year with 4.1 inches of snow.

StatCary
Average Annual High70.7
Average Annual Low48.9
Annual Precipitation Days75.0
Average Annual Precipitation46.2
Average Annual Snowfall4.1
70.7°
Average High
75.0
Days of Rain

Cary, NC Photos

Cary Nc Town Hall
Source: Wikipedia User Alexisrael | CC BY-SA 3.0
Page Walkerhotel
Source: Wikipedia User Yassie | GFDL
Carytownhall
Source: Wikipedia User No machine-readable autho | GFDL
Carychamberofcommerce
Source: Wikipedia User No machine-readable autho | GFDL
Carytennis
Source: Public Domain

3 Reviews & Comments About Cary

Overall User Rating
4.3
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2018-07-23 15:32:31.811518

I grew up in Cary and lived there until I moved away for college. It is a town that I would recommend to anyone for any reason. Cary is a place for everyone, great for seniors, great for raising kids, and great for young adults and professionals. The schools are fantastic, there is a great selection of food, activities, and experiences. It was a wonderful place for me to grow up and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for their forever home.

The schools in Cary were excellent, providing high quality education and service to the community. There are also various restaurants catering to different national cuisine. The only issue I've had as a young adult going back to Cary is that there is very little nightlife and the young adult population is on the lower end, mostly being kids coming home from college while on breaks. This is not unmanageable, as a city with a bustling nightlife is nearby, about 15 minutes away.


HomeSnacks User - 2019-04-15 13:25:46

Teacher's in cary are very kind and helpful, and can give you the best education you can get. So far as a child I've lived in cary all my life and I want it to stay like that, you can also get very kind, respectful and caring Neighbors.

My favorite places are either restraints because I love.. food or trampoline parks because they are very fun and enjoyable for about anyone. There isn't really anything to watch out for because Cary, NC is the most safest city in America.


HomeSnacks User - None

Aside from a handful of very good private schools, Cary doesn't even have schools that are separate from the system that includes Raleigh, which isn't on this list. I lived in Cary for several years, and no way should it be put in the same category as cities like Wilson and Burnsville.

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Cary in North Carolina

Locations Around Cary

Map Of Cary, NC

Best Places Around Cary

1

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Population 59,889

2

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Population 67,765

3

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Population 30,471

4

Holly Springs, NC
Population 43,429

5

Carrboro, NC
Population 21,170

6

Raleigh, NC
Population 470,763

7

Garner, NC
Population 32,543

8

Knightdale, NC
Population 19,532

9

Fuquay-Varina, NC
Population 37,749

10

Durham, NC
Population 288,465

Cary Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Cary

The current population in Cary is 176,686. The population has increased 38.5% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 176,686 1.0%
2022 174,880 1.9%
2021 171,603 1.4%
2020 169,177 1.7%
2019 166,268 1.8%
2018 163,266 2.2%
2017 159,715 2.5%
2016 155,822 3.1%
2015 151,186 3.5%
2014 146,041 3.4%
2013 141,292 3.4%
2012 136,627 3.8%
2011 131,631 3.2%
2010 127,587 -

Race / Ethnicity in Cary

White
58.0% (102,517)
African American
7.3% (12,903)
American Indian
0.1% (239)
Asian
20.4% (36,016)
Hawaiian
0.1% (157)
Other
0.8% (1,394)
Two Or More
4.0% (6,981)
Hispanic
9.3% (16,479)

Cary is:

  • 58.0% White with 102,517 White residents.

  • 7.3% African American with 12,903 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 239 American Indian residents.

  • 20.4% Asian with 36,016 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 157 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.8% Other with 1,394 Other residents.

  • 4.0% Two Or More with 6,981 Two Or More residents.

  • 9.3% Hispanic with 16,479 Hispanic residents.

Race Cary NC USA
White 58.0% 60.6% 58.2%
African American 7.3% 20.3% 12.0%
American Indian 0.1% 0.8% 0.5%
Asian 20.4% 3.1% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.8% 0.4% 0.5%
Two Or More 4.0% 3.7% 3.9%
Hispanic 9.3% 10.9% 19.0%

Gender in Cary

Female
50.5% (89,303)
Male
49.5% (87,382)
  • Cary is 50.5% female with 89,303 female residents.

  • Cary is 49.5% male with 87,382 male residents.

Gender Cary NC USA
Female 50.5% 51.1% 50.5%
Male 49.5% 48.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Cary for adults over 25

  • 2.0% of adults in Cary completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in Cary completed 9-12th grade.

  • 8.0% of adults in Cary completed high school / ged.

  • 12.0% of adults in Cary completed some college.

  • 6.0% of adults in Cary completed associate's degree.

  • 37.0% of adults in Cary completed bachelor's degree.

  • 24.0% of adults in Cary completed master's degree.

  • 4.0% of adults in Cary completed professional degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Cary completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
2.0% (3,533)
9-12th Grade
2.0% (3,533)
High School / GED
8.0% (14,134)
Some College
12.0% (21,202)
Associate's Degree
6.0% (10,601)
Bachelor's Degree
37.0% (65,373)
Master's Degree
24.0% (42,404)
Professional Degree
4.0% (7,067)
Doctorate Degree
5.0% (8,834)
Education Cary NC USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 4.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 6.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 8.0% 25.0% 26.0%
Some College 12.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 6.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 37.0% 22.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 24.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 4.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Cary, North Carolina

  • 2.4% of households in Cary earn Less than $10,000.

  • 1.2% of households in Cary earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 3.0% of households in Cary earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 3.4% of households in Cary earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 5.9% of households in Cary earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 12.5% of households in Cary earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 9.6% of households in Cary earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 18.9% of households in Cary earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 14.8% of households in Cary earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 28.3% of households in Cary earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
2.4% (428,950)
$10,000 to $14,999
1.2% (217,594)
$15,000 to $24,999
3.0% (533,198)
$25,000 to $34,999
3.4% (593,771)
$35,000 to $49,999
5.9% (1,050,538)
$50,000 to $74,999
12.5% (2,209,484)
$75,000 to $99,999
9.6% (1,691,104)
$100,000 to $149,999
18.9% (3,334,634)
$150,000 to $199,999
14.8% (2,616,597)
$200,000 or more
28.3% (4,992,723)
Income Cary NC USA
Less than $10,000 2.4% 5.0% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 1.2% 3.9% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 3.0% 7.6% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 3.4% 7.8% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 5.9% 12.0% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 12.5% 17.0% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 9.6% 13.0% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.9% 16.5% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 14.8% 7.8% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 28.3% 9.5% 12.6%

Articles About North Carolina

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