Cary, NC
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Cary to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Cary, North Carolina

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. Here's a snapshot of Cary based on the most recently available data.

179,306 Population
$626,395 Median home value
$134,905 Median income
123 Cost of living +23% vs US
$1,738 Median rent
3.5% Unemployment
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Cary SnackAbility

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

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
Cary
US

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
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

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 123 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 $626,395.

  • The median income in Cary is $134,905.

123
Cary's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Cary
US

Cost Of Living In Cary Comparison Table

Living Expense Cary North Carolina National Average
Overall 123 95 100
Services 97 98 100
Groceries 102 98 100
Health 183 89 100
Housing 98 100 100
Transportation 96 97 100
Utilities 101 101 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 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

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

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

HomeSnacks User · 2018-07-23 15:32:31.811518
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

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
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

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
rating starrating starrating star

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.

Rankings & Articles For Cary

Locations Around Cary

Map Of Cary, NC

Best Places Around Cary

1

Chapel Hill, NC
Population 61,607

$631,166+1% vs Cary
2

Apex, NC
Population 70,630

$599,084-4% vs Cary
3

Morrisville, NC
Population 31,422

$480,925-23% vs Cary
4

Holly Springs, NC
Population 45,248

$579,090-8% vs Cary
5

Carrboro, NC
Population 21,204

$429,674-31% vs Cary
6

Raleigh, NC
Population 481,031

$433,996-31% vs Cary
7

Garner, NC
Population 34,473

$384,100-39% vs Cary
8

Knightdale, NC
Population 20,214

$370,204-41% vs Cary
9

Fuquay-Varina, NC
Population 40,485

$525,746-16% vs Cary
10

Durham, NC
Population 291,467

$396,394-37% vs Cary

Cary Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Cary

The current population in Cary is 179,306. The population has increased 40.5% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 179,306 1.5%
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 56.7% (101,742)
African American 7.6% (13,603)
American Indian 0.1% (150)
Asian 20.3% (36,439)
Hawaiian 0.1% (107)
Other 0.9% (1,648)
Two Or More 4.7% (8,500)
Hispanic 9.5% (17,117)
See the full breakdown

Cary is:

  • 56.7% White with 101,742 White residents.

  • 7.6% African American with 13,603 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 150 American Indian residents.

  • 20.3% Asian with 36,439 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 107 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.9% Other with 1,648 Other residents.

  • 4.7% Two Or More with 8,500 Two Or More residents.

  • 9.5% Hispanic with 17,117 Hispanic residents.

Race Cary NC USA
White 56.7% 60.0% 57.4%
African American 7.6% 20.0% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.8% 0.5%
Asian 20.3% 3.3% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.9% 0.5% 0.6%
Two Or More 4.7% 4.1% 4.3%
Hispanic 9.5% 11.3% 19.3%

Gender in Cary

Female 50.6% (90,679)
Male 49.4% (88,627)
See the full breakdown
  • Cary is 50.6% female with 90,679 female residents.

  • Cary is 49.4% male with 88,627 male residents.

Gender Cary NC USA
Female 50.6% 51.1% 50.5%
Male 49.4% 48.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Cary for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 0.0% (0)
9-12th Grade 2.0% (3,586)
High School / GED 8.0% (14,344)
Some College 12.0% (21,516)
Associate's Degree 7.0% (12,551)
Bachelor's Degree 37.0% (66,343)
Master's Degree 25.0% (44,826)
Professional Degree 4.0% (7,172)
Doctorate Degree 5.0% (8,965)
See the full breakdown
  • 0.0% 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.

  • 7.0% of adults in Cary completed associate's degree.

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

  • 25.0% 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.

Education Cary NC USA
< 9th Grade 0.0% 3.0% 4.0%
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 7.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 37.0% 22.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 25.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 4.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Cary, North Carolina

Less than $10,000 2.2% (400,229)
$10,000 to $14,999 1.5% (266,219)
$15,000 to $24,999 2.8% (507,489)
$25,000 to $34,999 3.2% (581,567)
$35,000 to $49,999 5.4% (962,763)
$50,000 to $74,999 11.7% (2,101,720)
$75,000 to $99,999 9.1% (1,627,412)
$100,000 to $149,999 19.0% (3,405,553)
$150,000 to $199,999 15.1% (2,703,865)
$200,000 or more 30.0% (5,373,778)
See the full breakdown
  • 2.2% of households in Cary earn Less than $10,000.

  • 1.5% of households in Cary earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 2.8% of households in Cary earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 3.2% of households in Cary earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 5.4% of households in Cary earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 11.7% of households in Cary earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 9.1% of households in Cary earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 19.0% of households in Cary earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 15.1% of households in Cary earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 30.0% of households in Cary earn $200,000 or more.

Income Cary NC USA
Less than $10,000 2.2% 5.0% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 1.5% 3.7% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 2.8% 7.1% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 3.2% 7.4% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 5.4% 11.7% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 11.7% 16.8% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 9.1% 13.0% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.0% 16.6% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 15.1% 8.3% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 30.0% 10.4% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)