Cary: Demographics & People
Cary's population stands at 179,306 people, in 69,710 households. Population grew 1.5% from 176,686 (2022) to 179,306 (2024). Median age 40.2 years. (2.9y older than Wake County; 4.0y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 57% White (non-Hispanic) and 20% Asian. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.56). 70% of households are family-led. County is gaining 5,879 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 31% adult obesity, 14% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 30% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 60 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.5% from 176,686 (2022) to 179,306 (2024) — about 2.5× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~181,969 (extrapolated at 0.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 185,554.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 76,285 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 176,686 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 179,306 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 179,306 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 185,554 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Chatham County, Wake County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.2y is 1.3 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.2 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 179,306 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 41,999 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 34,366.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 77,600.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 25,341 |
| Population under 18 | 41,999 |
| Median age | 40.2 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 179,306 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.56 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 106,173 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 13,476 |
| Asian residents | 36,068 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 16,479 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 56.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 61.7% |
| Asian population | 20.3% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 7.6% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 9.5% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 56.7% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 24% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 51,239 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 82,634 |
| Share born in this state | 28.6% |
| Share born in another state | 71.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 46.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 23.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 39,841 |
| From Europe | 4,211 |
| From Asia | 74 |
| From Africa | 26,640 |
| From Latin America | 386 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 107 |
Households & Family Composition
69,710 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 70% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 48,018 families, 41% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 42,560 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 48,018 |
| Married couples with children | 19,475 |
| Single-parent households | 1,584 |
| Average household size | 2.59 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,288 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 431 |
| Family households | 49,075 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 70.4% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 69,710 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 5,879 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 15.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 82,628 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 76,749 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 5,879 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 6,071 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 3.5% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 371 residents live in group quarters (0.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 371 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Chatham County, Wake County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37037 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 037 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Chatham |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 10.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 8.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37037 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Chatham County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,067 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37037 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Chatham County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 95.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 71.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 32.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 74,470 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 36 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 40 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 179,306, growing, established, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 179,306 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Chatham County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade