Cary population
Cary, North Carolina had an estimated 183,582 residents on July 1, 2025, the 150th-largest city in the US. That is up 35.8% since the 2010 Census and up 90.7% since 2000.
- Population, July 2025
- 183,582+5% since April 2020
- People per sq mile
- 3,01161.0 sq mi of land
- Median age
- 40.214.1% are 65 or older
- Households with kids
- 34.8%with anyone under 18
Population by year, 2000 to 2025
| Year | Population | Change | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 183,582 | +1,409 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2024 | 182,173 | +1,480 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2023 | 180,693 | +567 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2022 | 180,126 | +3,219 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2021 | 176,907 | +2,120 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2020 | 174,787 | +4,219 | April 2020 estimates base |
| 2019 | 170,568 | +2,325 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2018 | 168,243 | +2,144 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2017 | 166,099 | +3,481 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2016 | 162,618 | +2,774 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2015 | 159,844 | +4,296 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2014 | 155,548 | +4,129 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2013 | 151,419 | +5,196 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2012 | 146,223 | +3,962 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2011 | 142,261 | +7,027 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2010 | 135,234 | +2,470 | 2010 Census (April 1) |
| 2009 | 132,764 | +3,890 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2008 | 128,874 | +5,089 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2007 | 123,785 | +5,388 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2006 | 118,397 | +5,469 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2005 | 112,928 | +4,240 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2004 | 108,688 | +2,931 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2003 | 105,757 | +2,723 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2002 | 103,034 | +2,676 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2001 | 100,358 | +4,098 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2000 | 96,260 | April 2000 estimates base |
Year-to-year changes across 2010 and 2020 mix census counts with estimates, so small jumps at those years are partly method changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cary in 2025?
The Census Bureau estimates Cary had 183,582 residents on July 1, 2025, making it the 150th-largest city in the US.
Is Cary growing?
Yes. Cary has grown 35.8% since the 2010 Census (135,234 people), and grown 5% since 2020.
What was the population of Cary in 2000?
About 96,260 (the Census Bureau's April 2000 estimates base). By the 2010 Census it was 135,234.
How dense is Cary?
Cary has about 3,011 people per square mile of land (61.0 square miles).
More about Cary
See cost of living, jobs and commutes in Cary, Cary weather by month, or every Cary ZIP code. For the biggest cities in the country, see the largest US cities.