Cary, NC Local Data & Statistics

State: NC

Total population: 179,306 Household income: $134,905 Rent: $1,738

Overview

Total population

179,306

Rent

$1,738

Year built

1999

Household income

$134,905

Per capita income

$67,409

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment rate

2.5%

Household size

2.6 persons

Rent over 30% of income

36.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

North Carolina

Total population

179,306

Adults over 25

124,185

Total households

69,710

Household size

2.6 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$134,905

Per capita income

$67,409

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment rate

2.5%

Rent over 30% of income

36.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,738

Year built

1999

Households that rent

33.4%

Households that own

66.6%

Rooms per home (all homes)

6.6

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

58.3%

Black

7.9%

Asian

20.4%

Two or more races

9.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

9.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

90.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

63.5%

Commute time to work

22 mins

Work from home

36.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

15%

High school graduate or GED

7.5%

Some college or associate degree

Bachelor’s degree or higher

70.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Cary, NC with: North Carolina United States

Cary, NC

Total population179,306

Rent$1,738

Year built1999

Household income$134,905

Per capita income$67,409

Poverty rate5.7%

Unemployment rate2.5%

North Carolina State

Total population10,730,404

Rent$1,228

Year built1991

Household income$72,388

Per capita income$41,385

Poverty rate13%

Unemployment rate3.6%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	TownCary, NC	StateNorth Carolina	CountryUnited States
Total population	179,306	10,730,404	334,922,499
Rent	$1,738	$1,228	$1,413
Year built	1999	1991	1980
Household income	$134,905	$72,388	$80,734
Per capita income	$67,409	$41,385	$44,673
Poverty rate	5.7%	13%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	2.5%	3.6%	4%

View the complete comparison of Cary, NC, North Carolina and United States →

Summary for Cary, NC

Cary is located in North Carolina.

Rent & Income

In Cary, the typical monthly rent is $1,738 and the typical household income is $134,905. Rent here is higher than in both North Carolina and the U.S., and household income is also higher than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 5.7%, which is lower than in both North Carolina and national.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 33.4% of households. Around 36.9% of renters are cost-burdened, indicating a moderate level of rent pressure.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 70.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is lower than both North Carolina and the national rate.

Cary, NC — Rent vs Household Income

Cary, NC — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Cary, NC compares in North Carolina (22 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,738	20 / 22	from lower rent	$957 – $1,902
Household income	$134,905	2 / 22	from higher income	$49,748 – $144,135
Poverty rate	5.7%	4 / 22	from lower poverty	2.2% – 24.6%
Unemployment rate	2.5%	1 / 22	from lower unemployment	2.5% – 7.2%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in North Carolina with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Cary, NC

Rent

Cary ranks 20th out of 22 large places in North Carolina for rent. Statewide rents range from $957 in Rocky Mount, NC to $1,902 in Apex, NC.

Household income

Looking at household income, Cary places 2nd out of 22 significant areas. Incomes across North Carolina range between $49,748 in Greenville, NC and $144,135 in Apex, NC.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Cary ranks 4th out of 22 large places. Statewide rates vary from 2.2% in Apex, NC to 24.6% in Greenville, NC.

Unemployment rate

For joblessness, Cary ranks 1st out of 22 significant areas. Across North Carolina, unemployment varies from 2.5% in Apex, NC to 7.2% in Asheville, NC.

💰 Rent in Cary, NC (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,738 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Cary, NC

Annual Household Income: $134,905

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Cary, NC

Estimated Rate: 5.7%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Cary, NC

In Cary, NC, households that rent: 23,271 (33.4%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	23,271	33.4%
Owner-Occupied	46,439	66.6%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Cary, NC

In Cary, NC, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 8,591 (36.9%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	8,591	36.9%
Other renter households	14,680	63.1%
Total renter households	23,271	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Cary, NC

Less than High School: 18,624 people (15%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 9,358 people (7.5%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 8,642 people (7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 87,561 people (70.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 124,185

📊 Unemployment Rate in Cary, NC

Estimated Rate: 2.5%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Aurora, IL179,867 Ontario, CA178,347 Eugene, OR177,520 Elk Grove, CA177,221 Santa Rosa, CA177,216 Salem, OR176,666 Chattanooga, TN182,832 Fort Lauderdale, FL183,032 Shreveport, LA183,483 Rancho Cucamonga, CA174,693

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.