Cary, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cary, North Carolina had a total population of 179,306, the 7th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $134,905, which is 86% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 86% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 70.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
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 | 176,686 | 179,306 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $134,905 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $525,200 | $580,200 | +10.5% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cary Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | 2.3% | $576,100 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | 4.5% | $474,500 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | 8.4% | $355,000 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | 5.3% | $380,100 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | $188,000 | 29.0% | 17.7% |
| Concord | 108,719 | $86,921 | $353,700 | 40.9% | 9.6% |
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | 57.3% | 11.7% |
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | $383,800 | 46.8% | 16.0% |
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | 39.5% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Cary is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 179,306. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cary is 40.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cary is $134,905. This is 86% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 67% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $580,200. Housing costs are 101% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cary is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.3%. The Black or African American population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.3% vs 3.3%).
Education
70.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cary in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.4%. Notably, 33.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cary, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Cary, North Carolina has a population of 179,306 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cary, NC?
The median household income in Cary is $134,905, which is 67% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cary, NC?
The poverty rate in Cary is 5.7%. This means approximately 10,116 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cary, North Carolina?
Cary's population is 56.7% White, 7.6% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cary, NC?
The median home value in Cary is $580,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Cary, North Carolina?
70.5% of adults (25+) in Cary hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.