Cary, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Cary, North Carolina is 176,686 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 7th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $129,399, the median home value is $525,200, and the median age is 39.8.
The population has grown 33.2% since 2010 (137,086 → 182,659).
176,686
Population
2898
People / sq mi
$129,399
Median Income
$525,200
Median Home Value
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Cary covers 61.0 sq mi of land at 2898 people per square mile.
About Cary, NC
Remote work is unusually prominent in Cary: 32.4% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. Cary is a city in North Carolina with a population of 176,686. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in North Carolina in the country, at #7 by population.
Median household income is $129,399, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 3.5%, is on the lower side for US cities and below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $525,200, with typical rent around $1,621.
Cary is among the best-educated US cities: 70.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is widespread — 32.4% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Cary — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Cary town Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Cary town had a population of 137,086 in 2010 and 182,659 in 2024, a 33.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 182,659 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.08%.
182,659
Population (2024)
137,086
Population (2010)
182,659
Peak (2024)
2.08%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 137,086 |
| 2011 | 142,209 |
| 2012 | 146,154 |
| 2013 | 151,328 |
| 2014 | 155,439 |
| 2015 | 159,712 |
| 2016 | 162,477 |
| 2017 | 165,927 |
| 2018 | 168,042 |
| 2019 | 170,282 |
| 2020 | 174,803 |
| 2021 | 176,928 |
| 2022 | 180,376 |
| 2023 | 181,205 |
| 2024 | 182,659 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 60.1% |
| Black or African American | 7.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$129,399
Median Household Income
$64,590
Per Capita Income
3.5%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$525,200
Median Home Value
$1,621
Median Rent
66.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.3%
High School+
70.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.4%
Drive Alone
59.3%
Public Transit
32.4%
Work From Home
22.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
46.1%
Foreign Born
73.6%
Non-English at Home
4.9%
Veterans
7.8%
With Disability
94.6%
Health Insurance
98.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 29.0% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.2% |
| Manufacturing | 10.6% |
| Information | 8.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.1% |
| Construction | 3.6% |
| Retail Trade | 3.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.6% |
| Public Administration | 2.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Common questions about Cary, NC
Frequently Asked Questions
Cary, North Carolina has a population of 176,686 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 7th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Cary, North Carolina is $129,399, with 3.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Cary, North Carolina is $525,200, with median monthly rent at $1,621 and a homeownership rate of 66.3%.
The median age in Cary, North Carolina is 39.8 years. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
The population has grown 33.2% since 2010 (137,086 → 182,659).
Where to stay in Cary
Visiting or relocating to Cary, NC? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.