Cary Population

1880–2026

17,982

2026 projection

0.9% since 2020 (increase)

05K10K15K20K18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Cary. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
202617,982+500.28%
202517,932-730.41%
202418,005+90.05%
202317,996+1690.95%
202217,827-420.24%
202117,869+430.24%
202017,826-980.55%
201917,924+2071.17%
201817,717-630.35%
201717,780-360.20%

Showing 10 of 29 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Cary is growing faster than Illinois, and slower than McHenry County and the U.S.

  • United States+3.1%
  • McHenry County+2.5%
  • Cary+0.7%
  • Illinois−0.6%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Cary Demographics

39.2median age

Median age

Female40.3 yrs
Male38.4 yrs

Adults

13,683
2,457 seniors (65+) · 18% of adults11,226 other adults

Sex

Female 50.8% · 9,103Male 49.2% · 8,820

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 179 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Cary Income

$113,026median household income

Median household income

$113,026

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$61,233

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

4.8%

About 1 in 21 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Cary Marital Status

56% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married56%57%55%
Never married30%34%26%
Divorced9%5%13%
Widowed4%3%5%
Separated<1%<1%<1%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201