Cary town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cary town, North Carolina has a total population of 176,686, the 7th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $129,399, which is 85% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 85% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 70.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Cary town Quick Facts
How Cary town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cary town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest town | 51,199 | $120,777 | 2.9% | $435,000 |
| Holly Springs town | 43,429 | $132,435 | 4.4% | $485,500 |
Cities Similar to Cary town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville city | 209,692 | $56,395 | $171,900 | 28.6% | 18.1% |
| Concord city | 106,518 | $84,752 | $327,600 | 41.7% | 8.6% |
| Durham city | 288,465 | $79,234 | $355,300 | 55.7% | 12.2% |
| Wilmington city | 118,578 | $63,900 | $350,300 | 45.8% | 16.3% |
| Winston-Salem city | 250,887 | $57,673 | $208,200 | 37.2% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Cary town is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 176,686. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cary town is 39.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cary town is $129,399. This is 85% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 65% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $525,200. Housing costs are 102% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cary town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.4%. The Black or African American population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.4% vs 3.1%).
Education
70.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cary town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 102% higher than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.3%. Notably, 32.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cary town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cary town, North Carolina?
Cary town, North Carolina has a population of 176,686 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cary town, NC?
The median household income in Cary town is $129,399, which is 65% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cary town, NC?
The poverty rate in Cary town is 5.3%. This means approximately 9,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cary town, North Carolina?
Cary town's population is 58.0% White, 7.3% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cary town, NC?
The median home value in Cary town is $525,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Cary town, North Carolina?
70.2% of adults (25+) in Cary town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.