Cary, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cary, Illinois had a total population of 17,923, the 144th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $113,026, which is 36% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.8% — among the lowest in Illinois.
Cary Quick Facts
How Cary Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,875 | 17,923 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $109,790 | $113,026 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $287,000 | $309,800 | +7.9% |
How Cary Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cary Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McHenry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | $108,418 | 6.8% | $311,400 |
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | $117,151 | 4.1% | $321,900 |
| McHenry | 28,074 | $86,315 | 4.7% | $266,500 |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | $82,758 | 6.0% | $245,700 |
| Harvard | 9,598 | $67,617 | 11.8% | $175,400 |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | 15.7% | $229,900 |
| Johnsburg | 6,386 | $121,023 | 12.1% | $328,300 |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | 1.4% | $398,400 |
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | 3.5% | $552,600 |
| Wonder Lake | 4,292 | $94,655 | 2.9% | $252,200 |
Cities Similar to Cary
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Lake | 18,628 | $111,977 | $278,600 | 41.5% | 9.0% |
| North Aurora | 18,696 | $114,305 | $342,100 | 40.5% | 6.3% |
| Lemont | 17,820 | $123,370 | $468,800 | 46.9% | 3.1% |
| Shorewood | 18,343 | $122,105 | $337,800 | 41.1% | 5.2% |
| Brookfield | 19,331 | $110,295 | $332,400 | 42.3% | 5.4% |
Population Overview
Cary is a small city located in Illinois, within McHenry County. The total population is 17,923. It ranks as the 144th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cary is 39.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cary is $113,026. This is 36% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 40% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.8%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $309,800. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Cary is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cary is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.9%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
44.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.7%. Notably, 16.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cary, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cary, Illinois?
Cary, Illinois has a population of 17,923 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cary, IL?
The median household income in Cary is $113,026, which is 40% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cary, IL?
The poverty rate in Cary is 4.8%. This means approximately 857 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cary, Illinois?
Cary's population is 79.2% White, 0.9% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cary, IL?
The median home value in Cary is $309,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Cary, Illinois?
44.7% of adults (25+) in Cary hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.