Cary, NC Demographics

A map of Cary's Population by Race

Cary, North Carolina has an estimated population of 179,306, a slight increase from the 174,721 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 56.7% White, 20.3% Asian, 9.5% Hispanic, 7.6% Black, 4.7% Multiracial, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cary, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cary has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Cary, that probability was 61.2% in 2020 and 62.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cary is ranked the 7th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Cary was ranked the 7th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cary's White Population

101,742 residents of Cary, or 56.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cary is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Cary ranks 518th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's White population has grown by an estimated 2.4%. White residents' share of Cary's population has remained roughly unchanged at 56.7%.

Cary is more White than neighboring Morrisville (35.1% White), and Raleigh (51.1% White). Cary is less White than neighboring Apex (61.7% White), Holly Springs (70.5% White), and Fuquay-Varina (65.5% White).

Cary's Black Population

13,603 residents of Cary, or 7.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cary is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Cary ranks 463rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Cary's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.6%.

Cary is more Black than neighboring Apex (7.3% Black). Cary is less Black than neighboring Morrisville (13.6% Black), Holly Springs (8.4% Black), Raleigh (26% Black), and Fuquay-Varina (14.7% Black).

Cary's Asian Population

36,439 residents of Cary, or 20.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cary is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Cary ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's Asian population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. Asian residents' share of Cary's population has decreased from 22.3% to 20.3%.

Cary is more Asian than neighboring Apex (19.5% Asian), Holly Springs (8.7% Asian), Raleigh (5.2% Asian), and Fuquay-Varina (2.9% Asian). Cary is less Asian than neighboring Morrisville (41% Asian).

Cary's Hispanic Population

17,117 residents of Cary, or 9.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cary is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Cary ranks 266th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 19.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Cary's population has increased from 8.2% to 9.5%.

Cary is more Hispanic than neighboring Morrisville (3.6% Hispanic), Apex (6.2% Hispanic), and Holly Springs (6.8% Hispanic). Cary is less Hispanic than neighboring Raleigh (12.6% Hispanic), and Fuquay-Varina (9.9% Hispanic).

Cary's Native American/Other Population

1,905 residents of Cary, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cary is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Cary ranks 377th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 41.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cary's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Cary is more Native American/Other than neighboring Apex (0.6% Native American/Other), Raleigh (0.7% Native American/Other), and Fuquay-Varina (0.7% Native American/Other). Cary is less Native American/Other than neighboring Morrisville (1.3% Native American/Other), and Holly Springs (1.2% Native American/Other).

Cary's Multiracial Population

8,500 residents of Cary, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cary is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Cary ranks 311th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cary's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 19.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Cary's population has increased from 4.1% to 4.7%.

Cary is more Multiracial than neighboring Holly Springs (4.4% Multiracial), and Raleigh (4.4% Multiracial). Cary is less Multiracial than neighboring Morrisville (5.4% Multiracial), and Fuquay-Varina (6.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.