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Cary, NC

Photo: Wikipedia

Cary, NC

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 63
Population176,686
Foreign Born11.3%
Population Density2,892people per mi²
Median Age39.8 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2010, this city has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

158/100

58% above national average

B-

The Real Cost of Living in Cary, North Carolina

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $26k$49k
Comfortable $102k$150k
Luxury $213k+$330k+
Elite (Top 5%) $250k+$388k+
Affordability Ratio

86%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A-
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean80%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
12
Negative
19

Groceries

4 within 10 miles

3.6mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

10.7mi

Airport

RDU — Raleigh-Durham International

6.3mi

Post Office

USPS — Durham, NC

10mi

Critical Amenities

Golf2Nearest 4.3 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.5 mi
Marina4Nearest 3.1 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 115.9 mi
Gun Range4Nearest 7.9 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
B+
Good

An upper-middle-class area. Household wealth, education levels, and homeownership run ahead of national benchmarks.

Median HHI
$129k+3.3%
72% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$860k
31% above US avg
College Educated
70.2%
101% above US avg
WFH
32.4%
127% above US avg
Homeownership
66.3%
1% above US avg
Median Home
$525k
86% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
A
Very Safe

Lower crime rates than 85% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
10.4
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−0.7%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−0.9%
Homicide
0.01 / 1k Residents92% below state avg
Robbery
0.09 / 1k Residents77% below state avg
Aggravated Assault
0.53 / 1k Residents77% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr−0.4%
Burglary
0.71 / 1k Residents74% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
8.08 / 1k Residents32% below state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.81 / 1k Residents57% below state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+17Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Cary, North Carolina
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.9% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (15% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
C+
LimitedHerd shares only
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season240 days328 frost-free
Annual Rainfall55.4"
Elevation512 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor8.0 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor2,892/sq mi
Fallout Danger
D+
Weak9 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 495 mi · coast 118 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$299.1M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityRaleigh468k people are 8.0 mi away
Nearest Major AirportRDU6.3 mi away
Distance to State Capital8.0 miRaleigh, NC
Nearest Prison5.7 mi9 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-15T23:28:05.000Z

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