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Cary, NC
Town in Wake County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 27511, 27513, 27518, 27519, 27560.
Population
179,306
Land area
61sq mi
People per sq mi
2,941
ZIP codes
5
Cary and its ZIP codes
Cary at a glance
- Cary is about 13 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 7th among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $134,905, 86% above the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $580,200 (about 2 times the North Carolina figure) and median rent is $1,738 a month.
Local data for Cary, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools54
- Colleges1
- Libraries3
- Banks45
- Post Offices2
- Parks75
- Grocery Stores76
- Restaurants630
- Affordable Housing3
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers2
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools13
- Toxic Release Facilities2
- Historic Places4
Housing and community stats
Cary, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$134,905
Poverty rate
5.7%
Median home value
$580,200
Median rent
$1,738/mo
Homeownership
66.6%
Bachelor's or higher
70.5%
Median age
40.2
Average commute
22.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Indian Americans (21,628), German Americans (20,986), Irish Americans (14,694).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wake County. PPP loans are for Cary.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$81,099
665,775 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$85,573
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$9.8B
FY 2026, $8,702 per person
PPP loans
$350M
5,036 loans, 39,714 jobs reported
How people get to work
Cary, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone56.3%
- Carpooled4.5%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.4%
- Worked from home36.5%
Average one-way commute: 22.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Cary, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
1,525
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
2,790
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 31°F
48.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Cary, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
25.3%
U.S. 33.3% -8.0 pts
Diabetes
8.6%
U.S. 12.1% -3.5 pts
Smoking
7.7%
U.S. 12.8% -5.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.2%
U.S. 11.1% -4.9 pts
ZIP codes in Cary
5 in or overlapping Cary. Population shown
Cities near Cary
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MorrisvilleTown | 6.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Holly SpringsTown | 7.8 mi | 19.4 |
| ApexTown | 8.1 mi | 26.9 |
| RaleighCity | 9.7 mi | 150.9 |
| GarnerTown | 10 mi | 19.7 |
| Fuquay-VarinaTown | 11 mi | 19.4 |
| Carolina MeadowsCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 0.4 |
| Governors VillageCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 0.4 |
| Governors ClubCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 2.4 |
| KnightdaleTown | 17 mi | 9.6 |
| AngierTown | 17 mi | 4.6 |
| Fearrington VillageCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 1.8 |
| DurhamCity | 17 mi | 118.8 |
| Chapel HillTown | 19 mi | 21.7 |
| ClaytonTown | 19 mi | 16.8 |
| MoncureCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 4.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Cary, NC in?
- Cary is in Wake County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Cary, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Cary include 27511, 27513, 27518, 27519, 27560.
- What is the population of Cary, NC?
- About 179,306 people live in Cary, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Cary?
- Nearby places include Morrisville (6.1 mi), Holly Springs (7.8 mi), Apex (8.1 mi), Raleigh (9.7 mi), Garner (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023