Cary, NC

Census Place

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2021 Population

171,603

1.43% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.1

1.26% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

5.67%

20.2% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$113,782

5.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$404,300

7.36% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Cary, NC had a population of 172k people with a median age of 39.1 and a median household income of $113,782. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Cary, NC grew from 169,177 to 171,603, a 1.43% increase and its median household income grew from $107,463 to $113,782, a 5.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cary, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (59.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (20.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (7.74%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.38%), and White (Hispanic) (3.37%).

None of the households in Cary, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.5% of the residents in Cary, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cary, NC are Shepherds Theological Seminary (39 degrees awarded in 2021) and Mitchells Academy (413972) (8 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Cary, NC was $404,300, and the homeownership rate was 66.8%.

Most people in Cary, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Cary, NC was 2 cars per household.

United States North Carolina Chatham County, NC Wake County, NC Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh City (Northwest) & Morrisville Town PUMA, NC Cary Town PUMA, NC Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC Chatham & Lee Counties PUMA, NC

Population & Diversity

Cary, NC is home to a population of 172k people, from which 89.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 22.4% of Cary, NC residents were born outside of the country (38.4k people).

In 2021, there were 2.95 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (102k people) in Cary, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.7k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 13.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

89.5%

2021 Citizenship

89.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.5% of Cary, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Cary, NC was 89.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Cary, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cary, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
102k ± 2.14k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
34.7k ± 1.78k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
13.3k ± 1.53k

8.3%

Hispanic Population

14.2k people

8.3% of the people in Cary, NC are hispanic (14.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Cary, NC as a share of the total population.

Foreign-Born Population

22.4%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

38.4k people

22.4%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

37.9k people

As of 2021, 22.4% of Cary, NC residents (38.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cary, NC was 22.4%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Cary, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,690 ± 300
Gulf War (1990s)
1,415 ± 380
Gulf War (2001-)
1,258 ± 261

Cary, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.19 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Cary, NC employs 90.1k people. The largest industries in Cary, NC are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,465 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,747 people), and Manufacturing (9,082 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($107,036), Information ($103,835), and Manufacturing ($101,887).

Employment

Occupations

90.1k

2021 Value

± 2,523

0.659%

1 Year growth

± 3.96%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cary, NC grew at a rate of 0.659%, from 89.5k employees to 90.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cary, NC, are Management Occupations (14,378 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (12,832 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (8,659 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cary, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

90.1k

2021 Value

± 2,523

0.659%

1 Year growth

± 3.96%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cary, NC grew at a rate of 0.659%, from 89.5k employees to 90.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cary, NC, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,465 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,747 people), and Manufacturing (9,082 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cary, NC, though some of these residents may live in Cary, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$86,915

Median earning men ± $3,179

$50,252

Median earning women ± $2,373

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($115,868), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($112,468), and Manufacturing ($110,224).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($77,428), Information ($74,448), and Manufacturing ($70,816).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Cary, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Cary, NC awarded 47 degrees. The student population of Cary, NC in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 244 male students and 94 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cary, NC are White (37 and 84.1%), followed by Black or African American (3 and 6.82%), Hispanic or Latino (3 and 6.82%), and Asian (1 and 2.27%).

The largest universities in Cary, NC by number of degrees awarded are Shepherds Theological Seminary (39 and 83%) and Mitchells Academy (413972) (8 and 17%).

The most popular majors in Cary, NC are Theological Studies (39 and 83%) and General Cosmetology (8 and 17%).

Completions

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Cary, NC was $404,300 in 2021, which is 1.65 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $376,600 to $404,300, a 7.36% increase. The homeownership rate in Cary, NC is 66.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Cary, NC have an average commute time of 22.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cary, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Cary, NC is $113,782. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Cary, NC was Census Tract 534.10 with a value of $194,737, followed by Census Tract 536.04 and Census Tract 530.05, with respective values of $190,769 and $166,786.

Property

$404,300

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,124

$43,086

Median Property Taxes

±$1,409

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Cary, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Cary, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.8%

Homeownership

2021

66%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 66.8% of the housing units in Cary, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 67.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cary, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 534.10
Census Tract 536.04
Census Tract 530.05

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Cary, NC was Census Tract 534.10 with a value of $194,737, followed by Census Tract 536.04 and Census Tract 530.05, with respective values of $190,769 and $166,786.

The following map shows all of the places in Cary, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$113,782

Median Household Income

± $2,839

64.5k

Number of Households

± 2,087

In 2021, the median household income of the 64.5k households in Cary, NC grew to $113,782 from the previous year's value of $107,463.

The following chart displays the households in Cary, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Cary, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (67.8%)
Worked At Home (22.5%)
Carpooled (6.81%)

In 2021, 67.8% of workers in Cary, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (22.5%) and those who carpooled to work (6.81%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cary, NC have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.7% of the workforce in Cary, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Cary, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Cary, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Cary, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

5.67% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cary, NC (9.72k out of 171k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Cary, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.7% of the population of Cary, NC has health coverage, with 67.6% on employee plans, 5.37% on Medicaid, 9.33% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 0.951% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see 1146 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.63% decrease from the previous year (1177 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1391 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 298 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Wake County, NC.

1,146 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wake County, NC

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see an average of 1,146 patients per year. This represents a 2.63% decrease from the previous year (1,177 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wake County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.6% under 18 years, 17.3% between 18 and 34 years, 43.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.29%

Uninsured

67.6%

Employer Coverage

5.37%

Medicaid

9.33%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

0.951%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cary, NC declined by 3.17% from 5.47% to 5.29%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Cary, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.