:Cary, North Carolina

File:Allison Francis Page, 1824-1899.jpg

File:Nancy Jones House, Cary (22149206641).jpg in 1939]]

File:Page-WalkerHotel.jpg]]

File:High School, Cary, North Carolina.jpg, 1915]]

Before the arrival of European settlers, the Tuscarora and Catawba people lived in what is now called Cary.{{Cite web |last=Kairis |first=Ashley |date=May 6, 2021 |title=150 Years: Cary's First Inhabitants, the Tuscarora |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/05/06/150-years-carys-first-inhabitants-the-tuscarora/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Cary Citizen}}{{cite web |last1=Claggett |first1=Stephen |title=First Immigrants: Native American Settlement of North Carolina |url=http://ncpedia.org/history/early/native-settlement |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |website=Ncpedia}} However, their numbers were greatly reduced due to smallpox epidemics, resulting from contact with Europeans who carried the disease and having no prior immunity.

In the 1750s, John Bradford moved to the area and opened an ordinary or inn, giving Cary its first name—Bradford's Ordinary.{{Cite web |title=History of the Town of Cary |url=https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/cary_history/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=FriendsofPageWalker.com}} However, most of the land remained in the hands of two men, both named Nathaniel Jones. Arriving around 1775, Jones of White Plains plantation owned {{Convert|10461|acre|ha|abbr=on}} in eastern Cary, while Jones of Crabtree owned most of what is now western Cary.{{Cite news |last=Howland |first=Hazel |date=May 19, 1988 |title=Trees are Intertwined in the History of Cary |page=13G |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93601999/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} After the Revolutionary War, the community was on the road between the new capital in Raleigh and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.{{Cite news |last=Town of Cary Planning Department |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Historic Preservation Plan: History of Cary's Growth and Development |volume=VIII |pages=7–15 |work=Town of Cary Comprehensive Plan |publisher=Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9545/636074524016970000 |access-date=January 27, 2022}} In the early 19th-century, Eli Yates added a gristmill and sawmill to the community, while Rufus Jones founded the first free school in the 1840s, along with Asbury Methodist Church, the community's first church.

In 1854, Bradford's Ordinary was linked to a major transportation route when the North Carolina Railroad came through the settlement, followed by the Chatham Railroad in 1868.{{Cite news |last=Tunnell |first=Gilbert |date=July 22, 1970 |title=Cary Plans Centennial Celebration |page=26 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93279346/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspaper.com}} The railroad tracks were laid mostly by enslaved people.{{Cite web |last=Kairis. |first=Ashley |date=April 8, 2021 |title=150 Years: Tales of Cary's Railroad Stop – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/04/08/150-years-tales-of-the-railroad-stop/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}} Wake County farmer and lumberman Allison Francis Page also arrived in 1854 and is credited with founding the town.{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Erma Ragan |date=1994 |title=Page, Allison Francis (Frank) {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/page-allison-francis |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=www.ncpedia.org}} For $2,000, Page purchased {{convert|300|acre|ha|1}} surrounding the planned railroad junction and built his home called Pages, a sawmill, and a general store.{{Cite book |last1=Bishir |first1=Catherine W. |title=A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Carolina |last2=Southern |first2=Michael T. |publisher=The University of North Carolina Press |year=2003 |isbn=080782772X |location=Chapel Hill, North Carolina |pages=133 |language=English}} Page also donated {{Convert|10|acre|ha|abbr=on}} for a railroad depot.

The community was unofficially known as Page, Page's Siding, Page's Station, Page's Tavern, and Page's Turnout.{{Cite web |last=Hyman |first=Rebecca |date=2010 |title=Cary {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/cary |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}{{Cite news |last=Van Scoyoc |first=Peggy |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Cary History: Post Offices of Cary's Past |work=Cary Citizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2020/04/15/cary-history-post-offices-of-carys-past/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMarch%2025%2C%201856%20was%20the,to%20carry%20mail%20in%201855. |access-date=January 27, 2022}} In 1856, Page added a post office and became the town's first postmaster. Page named the community Cary because of his admiration for Samuel Fenton Cary, head of the Sons of Temperance in North America, who had delivered an oration in Raleigh two months prior.{{cite book |author=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |year=1905 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n69 70]}}{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1971 |title=Mystery Shrouds the Origin of the Name Cary |page=2 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93281814/mystery-shrouds-the-origin-of-the-name-c/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wW9GAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA480 |title=The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography |publisher=James T. White & Company |year=1909 |volume=XI |pages=480 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2022 |via=Google Books}}{{Cite web |title=150 Years: How Cary Got its Name – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/02/04/150-years-how-cary-got-its-name/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}}

The American Civil War did not come to Cary until April 16, 1865—the same day Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered—when 5,000 Confederate troops under General Wade Hampton III encamped there. The next day, Raleigh surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman, and Major General Francis Preston Blair Jr. led the XVII Corps (Union Army) into Cary and established headquarters at the Nancy Jones House, the former home of Jones of Crabtree that had become a tavern and stagecoach stop on the road between Raleigh and Chapel Hill.{{Cite news |last=Town of Cary Planning Department |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Historic Preservation Plan: Appendix D: Existing Inventory of Cary's Historic Resources |volume=VIII |page=D2-D75 |work=Town of Cary Comprehensive Plan. |publisher=Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9539/636074523997900000 |access-date=January 27, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/WA0187.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places: Inventory-Nomination Form (Nancy Jones House) |last1=Williford |first1=Jo Ann |last2=Hill |first2=Michael |date=September 1983 |website=nc.gov |publisher=North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office |accessdate=May 1, 2015}} With Blair's arrival, Cary's enslaved population was emancipated; some went to Raleigh and joined the 135th U.S. Colored Troops. Blair remained in Cary until the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston on April 27, 1865.

Cary's population grew after the Civil War with the completion of the Chatham Railroad junction. Around 1868, the town's first depot was built for the Chatham Railroad, and Page laid out {{Convert|1|acre|ha|abbr=on}} residential lots and streets, including Academy and Chatham Streets. At the time, most of Cary's men worked for the railroads, but other businesses included a furniture factory, two shingle factories, a tannery, a shoe factory, a brick factory, and a window sash and blind factory.{{Cite news |last=Town of Cary Planning Department |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Historic Preservation Plan: History of Cary's Growth and Development |volume=VIII |pages=8–9 |work=Town of Cary Comprehensive Plan. |publisher=Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9545/636074524016970000 |access-date=January 27, 2022}} Around 1868, Page also built a Second Empire style hotel for railroad passengers, known today as the Page-Walker Hotel.Silber, Janet B. "[https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/WA0037.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory Page-Walker Hotel] " (pdf). North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. March 8, 1979. Retrieved November 6, 2022

Page, Adolphus Jones, and Rufus Jones established Cary Academy, a private boarding school later known as the Female Institute and Cary Female Academy. The two-story school was built in 1870 on Page's land at the end of Academy Street with lumber milled on-site by Page.{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1971 |title=N.C. High School Started in Cary |page=7 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93280200/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Other additions to the town included Page's tobacco warehouse, First Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, and the Cary Colored Christian Church (the latter on land donated by Page), along with two free schools for whites and two free schools for blacks.

Cary was incorporated on April 3, 1871, with Page serving as the first mayor. Its boundaries were established as {{Convert|1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, with the center being the Chatham Railroad warehouse. Because Page supported temperance, Cary's Act of Incorporation prohibited the sale of whiskey in the town's boundary and its surrounding {{Convert|2|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}; an 1889 addition the Act of Incorporation also banned "any vinous, spirituous or malt liquors, cider or peach brandies". Page left Cary in 1880, following lumber opportunities in Moore County. However, Cary's prohibition law was in place until 1964 when it was superseded by State and county laws.{{Cite news |date=April 25, 1964 |title=Booze Coming to Cary |page=18 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93286132/booze-coming-to-cary/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1963 |title=In Cary, the only Foam is on Shaving Lather |page=5 |work=The Raleigh News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93285911/in-cary-the-only-foam-is-on-shaving-lat/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=April 11, 1964 |title=Cary to Ask Ruling on Beer, Wine Sale |page=18 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93286021/cary-to-ask-ruling-on-beer-wine-sale/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

The Raleigh and Augusta Air–Line Railroad arrived in Cary in 1879, creating Fetner Junction just north of downtown and spurring further growth. Sixteen Cary residents purchased Cary Academy in 1896 and converted it into the private boarding school, Cary High School, which had 248 students from across the state by 1900.{{Cite web |last1=Byrd |first1=Thomas M. |last2=Coston |first2=Lisa |date=March 1996 |title=Chronology of Cary High School 1896-1996 |url=https://www.wcpss.net/cms/lib/NC01911451/Centricity/Domain/264/100%20Cary%20Years.pdf |access-date=January 22, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Jason |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Hold that green light: Cary's new smart city project includes wireless control of traffic signals {{!}} WRAL TechWire |url=https://wraltechwire.com/2021/07/15/hold-that-green-light-carys-new-smart-city-project-includes-wireless-control-of-traffic-signals/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=wraltechwire.com |language=en-US}} When the North Carolina legislature passed a law establishing a system of public high schools in 1907, Cary High School was transferred to the State for $2,750, giving Cary its claim of having the first state-funded public high school in the state.{{Cite news |last=King |first=Truman |date=May 16, 1965 |title=School Law Ended Academy Era |page=C6 |work=The Raleigh News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93286759/school-law-ended-academy-era/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Town bonds and the State funded a new brick school building in 1913; it was expanded in 1939 with WPA assistance. Today that structure survives as the Cary Arts Center.{{Cite web |title=History & Public Art {{!}} Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/cary-arts-center/about |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org}}

In the 1920s, the paved Western Wake Highway (now Western Blvd.) connected Cary to Raleigh via automobile, followed by paved roads to Durham and Apex. This enabled Cary's residents to commute for work, and the town's population grew by 64% during the decade. Electricity came to Cary in 1921.{{Cite web |title=Cary, North Carolina Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs) |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/cary-nc-population |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=World Population Review}} For the first time, Cary had housing developments, along with a volunteer fire department and municipal water and sewage system. A Masonic Lodge was added to downtown in the 1920s.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=History of Cary's Growth and Development |url=http://www.townofcary.org/Assets/Planning+Department/Planning+Department+PDFs/Historic+Preservation/HRMP+-+History+of+Cary$!27s+Growth+and+Development.pdf |accessdate= |website=Cary Historic Preservation Master Plan |publisher=}} During the Great Depression, the Bank of Cary failed, and the town went bankrupt. Conditions were so challenging that Cary had four mayors in two years.

In the 1930s, a new North Carolina State University research farm supported Cary's farmers. One Cary garden club began growing gourds and showed their products and related crafts at the North Carolina State Fair.{{cite web |last=Patrick |first=Jessica |date=August 4, 2015 |title=History: Cary, the Gourd Capital of the World – Food Cary |url=https://foodcary.com/2015/08/04/history-cary-the-gourd-capital-of-the-world/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=foodcary.com}} After the club's first annual Gourd Festival in 1944, they sent exhibits to the International Gourd Society Festival in Pasadena, California and took many prizes{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1938 |title=Garden Club Meets |page=10 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88826440/the-news-and-observer-raleigh-north-ca/ |access-date=January 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} This earned Cary the nickname "Gourd Capital of the World", a designation reflected by gourds circling the original version of the town seal. Now named North Carolina Gourd Festival, the annual event moved to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in 2000.{{cite web |date=January 22, 2022 |title=Festival Information |url=http://www.ncgourdsociety.org/festival.html |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=North Carolina Gourd Society}}{{Cite news |last=Trogdon |first=Kathryn |date=April 16, 2016 |title=Council Keeps Town Seal |page=A1 & A5 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93246871/ |access-date=January 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Rood |first=Mary Ann |date=April 11, 2000 |title=Gourd Lovers Try to Get their Fill |page=2B |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93247861/ |access-date=January 22, 2022 |via=Newspaper.com}}

After World War II, Cary began to attract industry, including the Taylor Biscuit Company (later Austin Foods), which became the town's largest employer with some 200 employees. Cary expanded its original single square mile boundary and created a Planning and Zoning Board in 1949. All the streets in Cary were paved by the early 1950s and residential suburbs began forming around the downtown area, including Veteran Hills, Russell Hills, and Montclair subdivisions. The town gained its first supermarket, Piggly Wiggly, in 1950, followed by the Cary Public Library in 1960, and a town-funded fire department in 1961.

The population and number of developments in Cary continued to increase in the 1960s and 1970s after the opening of the nearby Research Triangle Park (RTP) in 1959.{{Cite web |last1=Ashley Kairis |first1=Ashley |last2=Weinbrecht |first2=Audrey |date=September 17, 2021 |title=150 Moment: Mayor Fred G. Bond – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/09/17/150-moment-mayor-fred-g-bond/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}} This rapid growth was planned; the State built a four-lane road between Cary and the Research Triangle Park as part of the agreement to attract RTP to North Carolina. Historian Jordan R. Bauer says, "The sleepy town of Cary...was the ideal place for an emerging class of scientific and technical workers".Bauer, J. R. (2020). "Silicon Valley with a drawl: Making North Carolina's Research Triangle and Selling the High-Tech South." North Carolina Historical Review, 97(3), p. 13. via EBSCOBauer, Jordan R. 2021. "Brain Magnet: Research Triangle Park and the Idea of the Idea Economy." North Carolina Historical Review 98 (3): 356–58. via EBSCO, March 14, 2022 Initially, Cary adopted zoning and other ordinances on an ad hoc basis to control growth and give the town structure, including its first subdivision regulations in 1961 and a zoning and land-use plan in 1963. To deal with the problem of overcrowding in schools, several new schools were constructed in the 1960s. Cary High School was the first school in Wake County to integrate in 1963.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Cary History: 1946 - today |url=http://carycitizen.com/2010/04/02/cary-history-1946-today/ |accessdate= |website=The Cary Citizen |publisher=}} Other ways Cary dealt with the rapid growth in the 1960s was adopting subdivision regulations in 1961, updating zoning ordinances and their land use plan in 1963, and connecting to Raleigh's sewer and water systems in the early 1960s.

In 1971, the town created Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning, which lets a developer plan an entire community before beginning construction, allowing future residents to know where churches, schools, commercial, and industrial areas will be located in advance. Developed on the Pine State Dairy's former Kildaire Farm, the {{convert|967|acre|ha|1|adj=on}} Kildaire Farms development in Cary was North Carolina's first PUD.{{Cite web |title=About the Community |url=https://www.kfhoa.org/ |access-date=January 28, 2022 |website=Kildaire Farms HOA |language=en-US}}

In 1960, Cary's population was 3,356 but by 1970, it had grown to 7,686. To preserve its small-town feel, of Cary formed the Community Appearance Commission in 1972, which focused on regulating the look of downtown through sign ordinances. The Land Dedication Ordinance of 1974 required developers to set aside one acre of green space for every 35 housing units constructed. During the 1980s, Cary created Industrial Performance Districts, which increased the town's tax base by encouraging businesses to build within the town's limits. Cary had its own sewer system by the 1980s. The PUD model became so popular in Cary that 22 more were created between 1980 and 1992.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Cary Community Plan |url=http://www.imaginecary.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Town-of-Cary-Community-Plan-Snapshot-Report.pdf |accessdate= |website=Imagine Cary |publisher=}}

By 2000, Cary's population had grown to 94,536.{{Cite news |last=Town of Cary Planning Department |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Historic Preservation Plan: Introduction |volume=VIII |page=2 |work=Town of Cary Comprehensive Plan |publisher=Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9551/636074524034330000 |access-date=January 27, 2022}} Concerned about forty years of steady growth, in 2008 the town council commissioned the Cary Historic Preservation Master Plan to establish a coordinated approach to historic preservation.{{Cite web |title=Cary Historic Preservation Plan |url=https://hanburypreservation.com/projects/cary_preservation_plan |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Hanbury Preservation}} Cary now has three districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places: the Carpenter Historic District, the Green Level Historic District, and the Cary Historic District.{{Cite web |title=Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel - Historic Preservation |url=https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/historic_preservation |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Friends of the Page Walker}} In addition, the town has designed ten local landmarks which receive a property tax break in exchange for oversight of exterior changes to the structures by the town's Historic Preservation Commission.

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=10|id=Q852665|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Cary}}

Located in the piedmont region of North Carolina, most of Cary is in western Wake County, with neighborhood-sized sections in the northeast corner of Chatham County and small portions of southwest Durham County.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=William S. |date=2006 |title=Wake County |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/wake |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=NCpedia}}{{cite web |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Town Limits Layout |url=https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=1799 |access-date=February 26, 2020 |website=Town of Cary |location=Cary, North Carolina}}{{Cite web |title=Information Lookup |url=https://carync.maps.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=493359b586d042c0b559578fd7c38026 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=carync.maps.arcgis.com}} According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|61.05|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|59.94|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.11|sqmi}} (1.82%) is water. Cary is bordered on the north and east by Raleigh, generally toward the north by Research Triangle Park and Morrisville, on the south by Apex and Holly Springs, and on the west by the Jordan Lake area.

Cary is seated on the boundary between the Durham Basin with its softer sedimentary rocks and the piedmont with its harder metamorphic rocks; both geologic provinces have igneous rock intrusions."[https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=8501#:~:text=Cary's%20landscape%20consists%20primarily%20of,slopes%20occur%20in%20west%20Cary. Town of Cary Land Use. Chapter 2]". Town of Cary. August 2009. p. 2.2. Retrieved November 7, 2022. The landscape is typically gentle to moderate sloping hills separated by narrow V-shaped valleys, but there are areas with steeper slopes and broader, U-shaped valleys in western Cary, roughly along NC 55 near the Research Triangle Park and north of Green Hope School Road. Cary's average elevation is {{Convert|495|ft|m|abbr=on}}.

The Cary drainage basin includes three main creeks—the Crabtree, the Swift, and the Walnut—which are all tributaries of the Neuse River. Most streams in the area have narrow floodplains with riverine wetlands, but Crabtree, Middle, Swift, and White Oak Creeks are larger and have broader floodplains."[https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=8501#:~:text=Cary's%20landscape%20consists%20primarily%20of,slopes%20occur%20in%20west%20Cary. Town of Cary Land Use. Chapter 2]". Town of Cary. August 2009. p. 2-7. Retrieved November 7, 2022. There are several small lakes in the area, most notably Lake Crabtree, created for flood control of Crabtree Creek.{{Cite news |last=Sanders |first=Joe |date=February 10, 1971 |title=Crabtree Tree Lake Work Expected Soon |page=9 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93608437/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=April 13, 1971 |title=Watershed Group Acquires Land for Crabtree Lake Site |page=24 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93608603/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Jordan Lake is a large reservoir, flood control, and recreational facility that abuts part of western Cary.{{Cite web |title=B. Everett Jordan |url=https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes-and-Dams/B-Everett-Jordan/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District}}

Suburbanization is the typical land use in Cary. However, some areas are still undeveloped forests or agricultural, such as the agricultural areas west of NC 55 in Green Level, Upper Middle Creek and the Carpenter community."[https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=8501#:~:text=Cary's%20landscape%20consists%20primarily%20of,slopes%20occur%20in%20west%20Cary. Town of Cary Land Use. Chapter 2"]. Town of Cary. August 2009. p. 2-12. Retrieved November 7, 2022. There is a mixture of mature conifers and broadleaf trees in Cary's parks, nature preserves, and older subdivisions such as Farmington Woods, Greenwood Forest, and Kildaire Farms because tree preservation was a key design element.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-11 |title=Urban Escape in the Heart of Cary, NC - Triangle Land Conservancy |url=https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/swift-creek-bluffs-nature-preserve |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=www.triangleland.org |language=en-US}} According to the Town of Cary Land Use Plan, newer construction in Cary, both residential and commercial, shows "less regard for tree preservation and replanting.""[https://www.townofcary.org/home/showdocument?id=8501#:~:text=Cary's%20landscape%20consists%20primarily%20of,slopes%20occur%20in%20west%20Cary. Town of Cary Land Use. Chapter 2]". Town of Cary. August 2009. p. 2-12. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

Cary has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) under the Köppen climate classification system, with hot summers, mildly cold winters with {{Convert|3.2|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow annually, and several months of pleasant weather each year.{{Cite web |title=Cary, North Carolina |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=470713&cityname=Cary,+North+Carolina,+United+States+of+America |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=Weatherbase}} Temperature extremes in Cary range from the single digits to over {{Convert|100|F|C|abbr=on}}. Tropical cyclones can affect Cary, usually after weakening substantially from being over land. Some, such as Hurricane Fran in 1996, have caused great damage in the area.{{Cite web |last= |date=September 10, 2018 |title=Hurricane Fran Coverage |url=https://www.wral.com/hurricane-fran/17834050/ |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}}

{{Weather box

|location = Cary, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2000–present)

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 80

|Feb record high F = 80

|Mar record high F = 89

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 96

|Jun record high F = 101

|Jul record high F = 101

|Aug record high F = 101

|Sep record high F = 97

|Oct record high F = 97

|Nov record high F = 85

|Dec record high F = 78

|year record high F = 101

|Jan high F = 50.2

|Feb high F = 54.0

|Mar high F = 61.4

|Apr high F = 71.1

|May high F = 78.1

|Jun high F = 84.9

|Jul high F = 88.2

|Aug high F = 86.0

|Sep high F = 80.3

|Oct high F = 71.1

|Nov high F = 61.5

|Dec high F = 53.3

|year high F = 70.0

|Jan mean F = 40.7

|Feb mean F = 43.3

|Mar mean F = 49.9

|Apr mean F = 59.0

|May mean F = 67.2

|Jun mean F = 74.8

|Jul mean F = 78.6

|Aug mean F = 76.9

|Sep mean F = 70.9

|Oct mean F = 60.4

|Nov mean F = 50.3

|Dec mean F = 43.7

|year mean F = 59.6

|Jan low F = 31.2

|Feb low F = 32.6

|Mar low F = 38.5

|Apr low F = 46.8

|May low F = 56.3

|Jun low F = 64.6

|Jul low F = 69.0

|Aug low F = 67.9

|Sep low F = 61.5

|Oct low F = 49.7

|Nov low F = 39.2

|Dec low F = 34.1

|year low F = 49.3

|Jan record low F = 6

|Feb record low F = 7

|Mar record low F = 15

|Apr record low F = 27

|May record low F = 38

|Jun record low F = 49

|Jul record low F = 58

|Aug record low F = 53

|Sep record low F = 44

|Oct record low F = 30

|Nov record low F = 20

|Dec record low F = 12

|year record low F = 6

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.54

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.90

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.04

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.73

|May precipitation inch = 3.74

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.59

|Jul precipitation inch = 5.31

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.81

|Sep precipitation inch = 5.57

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.54

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.50

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.53

|year precipitation inch = 48.80

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rah |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=May 11, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00311535&format=pdf |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=Station: Cary, NC |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |access-date=May 11, 2021}}

|date=August 2010

}}

{{US Census population

| 1880 = 316

| 1890 = 423

| 1900 = 333

| 1910 = 383

| 1920 = 645

| 1930 = 909

| 1940 = 1141

| 1950 = 1446

| 1960 = 3356

| 1970 = 7686

| 1980 = 21763

| 1990 = 43858

| 2000 = 94536

| 2010 = 135234

| 2020 = 174721

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 180010

| estref =

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/decennial-census |access-date=May 19, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
2020

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 174,721 residents of Cary residing in 62,789 households.{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts: Cary town, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/carytownnorthcarolina |access-date=May 16, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |language=en}} The population density of Cary is 2,949.7 people per {{Convert|1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, versus 1,353.3 for Wake County and 214.7 for North Carolina.

According to the American Community Survey, an estimated 68.4% of adults in Cary age 25 years or older have a bachelor's degree or higher. In addition, 98.6% of Cary's households are estimated to have a computer, and 96.0% have broadband.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the high number of non-native-born North Carolinians moving to the town for employment in the Research Triangle Park led native-born North Carolinians to refer to Cary derisively as "Containment Area for Relocated Yankees".{{cite book |last1=Wolfram |first1=Walt |last2=Reaser |first2=Jeffrey |title=Talkin' Tar Heel: How Our Voices Tell the Story of North Carolina |publisher=The University of North Carolina Press |date=2014 |location=Chapel Hill |page=80 |isbn=978-1-4696-1437-3}} As of the 2020 Census, 28.97% of Cary's population was born in North Carolina, 77.87% were born in the United States, and 22.13% were foreign-born.

According to the 2021 census estimate, the median household income in Cary is $113,782 or $55,710 per capita. The percentage of Cary's residents living in poverty is 4.4%, and just 5.9% of its population under the age of 65 lacked health insurance. Between 2017 and 2021, the median value of owner-occupied houses in Cary was $404,300. The homeownership rate (owner-occupied housing units to total units) is 66.8%. However, there are growing concerns about Cary's lack of affordable housing.{{Cite web |last=WRAL |date=November 11, 2021 |title=Hundreds meet to discuss Cary's affordable housing crisis |url=https://www.wral.com/hundreds-meet-to-discuss-cary-s-affordable-housing-crisis/19975011/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}} Over the past twenty years, Cary has added 10,000 jobs earning $35,000 or less; however, the cost of housing has increased significantly. The Town of Cary says that less than 20% of its employees can afford to live in the town.{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Jay |date=December 20, 2000 |title=Site for Low-Cost Housing has Cary Council at Odds |pages=B3 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96774835/caryn-housing/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} The median rental cost in Cary is $1,392 per month. The cost of living in Cary is rated at 115, with 100 being the national average.{{Cite web |last=Sperling's Best Places |title=Cost of Living in Cary, North Carolina |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/north_carolina/cary |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Best Places}}

File:View on the statue. Epic Games HQ, Cary.jpg's giant slide]]

File:Global Knowledge's headquarters.jpg

Notable technology companies located in Cary include ABB, Epic Games, Garmin, HCL Technologies, IntelliScanner Corporation, Lockheed Martin 3D Solutions, SAS Institute, and Xerox.Bracken, David (February 28, 2010). "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96591063/garmin/ Garmin to Bring Research Jobs to Cary]". The News and Observer. pp. A1. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.{{Cite web |title=North Carolina Center of Excellence |url=https://www.xerox.com/en-us/innovation/north-carolina |access-date=February 27, 2022 |website=www.xerox.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Lockheed Martin 3D Solutions in Cary, NC - (919) 469–9950 |url=https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/united-states/north-carolina/cary/computers-and-equipment-wholesale-and-manufacturers/36862181-lockheed-martin-3d-solutions |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=www.chamberofcommerce.com}}{{Cite news |last1=Norton |first1=Frank |last2=LaGrone |first2=Sam |date=August 21, 2007 |title=Aircraft Maker Buys 3Dsolve |pages=D1 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96625027/lockheed-3d-acquisition/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=March 24, 2010 |title=ABB, Sensus Form Smart-Grid Team |pages=B4 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96626097/abb/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Hagel |first=Jack |date=September 10, 2008 |title=Cary Gets 512 Jobs Via HCL Technologies |pages=7B |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96743655/hcl-technologies/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Manufacturers located in Cary include Austin Foods/Kellogg's which makes snack foods, and Lord Corporation which makes adhesives, coatings, and motion management devices for aerospace and automobiles. Cotton Incorporated is a non–profit located in Cary which conducts worldwide research and promotes the use of cotton."Georgia Farmer Elected Chairman of Cotton Incorporated", (February 9, 2021). Southeast Farm Press. February 28, 2022. via Gale.

According to Cary's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the town are:{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=2024 Cary's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report |url=https://www.carync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/33873/638712450048300000 |website=}}

File:Cary, NC, USA - panoramio (2).jpg

Cary's public art collection includes more than forty works displayed in public spaces throughout the town.{{Cite web |title=Public Art |url=https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/arts-culture/public-art-galleries/public-art |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org}} Many of the town's facilities include art gallery spaces with changing exhibits, including the Bond Park Community Center, the Cary Arts Center, the Cary Senior Center, the Cary Town Hall Gallery, the Herbert C. Young Community Center, and the Page–Walker Arts & History Center.{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2017 |title=Venues - The Cary Art Loop |url=https://caryartloop.org/venues-galleries/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |language=en-US}}

The Cary History Museum is located in the Page-Walker Arts and History Center and features a timeline exhibit of local history.{{cite web |title=Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel - Cary Heritage Museum |url=https://www.friendsofpagewalker.org/cary_heritage_museum |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=www.friendsofpagewalker.org}} The Stevens Nature Center is located at the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and has interactive nature and history exhibits.{{Cite web |title=Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve/Stevens Nature Center |url=https://www.visitnc.com/listing/SD6F/hemlock-bluffs-nature-preserve-stevens-nature-center |access-date=January 24, 2022 |website=VisitNC.com |language=en}} The BIG Pictures Museum Without Walls is the town's traveling outdoor exhibit.{{Cite web |title=Museum Without Walls Displays Cary Artworks – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2020/09/30/museum-without-walls-displays-cary-artworks/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}}

Town-owned performance venues include the Cary Arts Center, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park.{{Cite web |last=Elrod |first=Tom |date=August 17, 2011 |title=The grand opening of the Cary Arts Center |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/c73e9d6a-cc26-597d-82ad-910edab804ad/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=INDY Week |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Sertoma Amphitheatre {{!}} Cary, NC 27513 |url=https://www.visitraleigh.com/listing/sertoma-amphitheatre/58272/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=www.visitraleigh.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Koka Booth Amphitheatre {{!}} Cary, NC 27518 |url=https://www.visitraleigh.com/listing/koka-booth-amphitheatre/60785/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=www.visitraleigh.com |language=en-us}} The town also operates a multi-use cultural facility in a renovated movie theater called The Cary Theater.{{Cite web |title=The Cary Theater {{!}} Cary, NC 27511 |url=https://www.visitraleigh.com/listing/the-cary-theater/68313/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=www.visitraleigh.com |language=en-us}}

File:North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival by Sergey Galyonkin.jpg

The Cary community supports a wide variety of public events throughout the year. An annual tradition since 1959, Cary Band Day brings high school marching bands from across the southeast to compete in one of the oldest and best-known regional competitions.{{Cite web |last=Kairis |first=Ashley |date=October 26, 2021 |title=62nd Annual Cary Band Day this Saturday |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/10/26/62nd-annual-cary-band-day-this-saturday/ |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=CaryCitizen.news}} Cary supports artists with two festivals: Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival and Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival.{{Cite web |title=All About Lazy Daze |url=http://www.carycitizen.com/2010/08/17/all-about-lazy-daze/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823230445/http://www.carycitizen.com/2010/08/17/all-about-lazy-daze/ |archive-date=August 23, 2010 |publisher=Cary Citizen}}{{Cite web |title=Spring Daze and Earth Day Celebration |url=https://www.caryliving.com/new-events/2022/4/30/spring-daze-arts-amp-crafts-festival |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Cary Living |language=en-US}} For the latter, the town closes the main downtown roads for two days, a tradition since 1976.

Numerous multicultural events showcase the diversity of Cary. The annual Diwali Celebration, the Indian Festival of Light, features an exhibition of Indian art and culture with music, dance, handicrafts, and food.{{Cite web |last=Fredin |first=Jonathan |date=October 23, 2013 |title=Cary Diwali, in Photos {{!}} Cary Magazine |url=https://www.carymagazine.com/features/cary-diwali-in-photos/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Cary Magazine |language=en-US}} Presented by Asian Focus and the town, the Greater Triangle Area Dragon Boat Festival includes displays, food, performances, and dragon boat races between club and community teams.{{Cite web |last=Fredin |first=Jonathan |date=September 22, 2015 |title=Dragon Boat Festival |url=https://www.carymagazine.com/features/photo-gallery-dragon-boat-festival/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Cary Magazine |language=en-US}} Founded in 2004, the Ritmo Latino Festival showcases music, art, dance, and food from the Hispanic world.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary |url=https://triangleonthecheap.com/ritmo-latino-festival-cary/ |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=Triangle on the Cheap |language=en-US}} One of the newest annual events in Cary, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is quickly becoming a town favorite with its illuminating nighttime celebration of the Chinese New Year with more than 2,500 handcrafted silk lanterns.{{Cite web |last=Daw |first=Dena |date=November 29, 2021 |title=NC Chinese Lantern Festival Returns to Cary |url=https://www.carymagazine.com/features/nc-chinese-lantern-festival-returns-to-cary/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Cary Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=November 24, 2021 |title=N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival |pages=A8 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96794302/nc-chinese-lantern-festival/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

The oldest structures in Cary, the {{circa|1803}} Nancy Jones House and the {{circa|1820}} Utley–Council House are both examples of regional Federal architecture. The {{circa|1868}} Page–Walker Hotel was built in Empire style; the former hotel is now open to the public as a museum.{{Cite web |title=Page-Walker Hotel {{!}} Capital Area Preservation {{!}} |url=http://capitalareapreservation.com/th_gallery/page-walker-hotel/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=capitalareapreservation.com}}

The Cary Historic District is located two blocks south of downtown and includes a variety of 19th and 20th-century structures of note. Architectural styles that were popular in the 19th century are represented by the Gothic revival Ivey–Ellington House built {{Circa|1870}}, the simple Victorian style of the Marcus Baxter Dry House built {{Circa|1900}}, and the Queen Anne style of the Sam–Jones cottage built {{Circa|1902}} and the Captain Harrison P. Guess House (aka the Guess–White–Ogle House) built in 1830 and 1900.{{Cite web |last=Wagner |first=Heather M. |date=June 15, 2007 |title=National Register of Historic Places Ivey-Ellington House |url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/WA0892.pdf |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office}}{{Cite web |last=Papich |first=Michael |date=February 4, 2020 |title=Chef Michael Chuong's New Restaurant Takes Over a Historic Cary Cottage |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/4e720dde-4798-11ea-a56d-1244d5f7c7c6/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=INDY Week |language=en-us}} Other structures in the Cary Historic District represent early 20th-century architectural styles such as the Tudor Revival style {{Circa|1940}} Henry Adams House, the Colonial Revival style {{Circa|1935}} Dr. Frank W. House, and the brick bungalow style {{Circa|1925}} Dr. John Pullen Hunter House.{{Cite web |title=Dr. John Pullen Hunter House {{!}} Capital Area Preservation {{!}} |url=http://capitalareapreservation.com/th_gallery/dr-john-pullen-hunter-house/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=capitalareapreservation.com}} The district also includes the former Cary High School which is a substantial Neo Classical structure that was designed and built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, and the related Pasmore House, dating from {{Circa|1900}}, which was a boarding house for the former high school. The former school is open to the public as the Cary Arts Center.

File:Carpenter Historic District - Carpenter Farm Supply Wake Co NC DSCN1110.jpg

Located in western Cary, the {{Convert|210|acre|ha|abbr=on}} Carpenter Historic District is a former rural crossroads that features late Victorian and Colonial Revival buildings, dating from 1895 to 1933.Kelly Lally Molloy and M. Ruth Little (December 1999). "[https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/WA0787.pdf Carpenter Historic District]" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved February 27, 2022 The primary structure in the district is the {{circa|1895/1916}} brick Carpenter Farm Supply Company which has been described as "the most substantial early twentieth-century store building in rural Wake County".{{Cite web |title=Carpenter Farm Supply Company Complex {{!}} Capital Area Preservation {{!}} |url=http://capitalareapreservation.com/th_gallery/carpenter-farm-supply-company-complex/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=capitalareapreservation.com}} Other contributing buildings to the historic district include houses, an assemblage of farming structures, and other commercial structures. The most prominent house is the William Henry Carpenter Boarding House which features a simple Victorian porch and gable ornamentation and was used as a residence for railroad workers.

Cary's Green Level Historic District is located in western Cary, just east of the Chatham County line in the White Oak township.Kelly Lally Molloy and M. Ruth Little (June 2000). "[https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/WA1006.pdf Green Level Historic District]" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved February 28, 2022{{Cite web |title=Green Level Historic District |url=http://landmarkhunter.com/185623-green-level-historic-district |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=LandmarkHunter.com}} Its {{Convert|75|acre|ha|abbr=on}} includes a late 19th to early 20th-century crossroads centered around the intersection of Green Level Church Road and Green Level West Road and a railroad spur. Most historic structures in the district are along Green Level Church Road, including community buildings, farms, houses, and stores. The 1907 Green Level Baptist Church is one of the best examples of rural church architecture in Wake County. This Gothic Revival church was the "visual and social focal point of the community". The A.M. and Vallaria Council Farm is a good example of a late 19th-century tobacco farm, with its related tobacco barns and other secondary buildings dating to the 1900s through the 1930s. The {{Circa|1916}} Alious H. and Daisey Mills farmhouse is the largest building in the historic district and features a hip roof and slender Doric columns on its porch. It is located across the road and east of the church, on property that includes other historic houses, including a store and farm buildings ranging from a potato shed to a well-house. The two-story Alious Mills Store was built around 1916 and expanded in the 1930s. The one-story Vick and Mattie Council House was built in the 19th century and featured Victorian detailing, such as patterned shingles and decorative vents. The one-story Kenneth and Reba Mills House is an example of a 1930s Tudor Revival.

File:Tirupati in USA.jpg]]

SAS Institute has led the way in bringing modern high-rise architecture to Cary but has placed its 25 buildings in a {{Convert|900|acre|ha|abbr=on}} parklike setting away from the historic core of town.{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Áine |date=October 21, 2017 |title=This $3.2 billion tech company you've never heard of has insane perks, including massage therapists, a pool, and woodside yoga |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sas-office-tour-2017-10 |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=SAS Institute, Inc. Buildings A and Q - Newcomb & Boyd |url=https://www.newcomb-boyd.com/project/sas-institute-buildings/ |access-date=April 4, 2022 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=SAS Campus Map |url=https://www.sas.com/content/dam/SAS/documents/legal-employee-services/employee-services/sas-hq/cary-campus-map.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=SAS.com}} SAS's Building A is ten-stories tall with 990 offices and several two-story atriums. One writer notes, "The design of its headquarters reflects both its status as a tech giant and its original academic routes." For example, eight solar installations power part of the SAS campus. Building Q is a six-story {{Convert|22,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} LEED Gold certified office building that is not only sustainable with features such as a green roof, but is also "light-filled, comfortable, and functional" according to LS3P architects.{{Cite web |title=SAS Building Q & A |url=https://www.ls3p.com/portfolio/sas-building-q/ |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=LS3P |date=July 2, 2019 |language=en-US}} Building Q also has artwork on every floor; the SAS art collection includes some 4,600 works.

Cary is also home to the Sri Venkateswara Temple which has an {{Convert|87|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall Rajagopuram, or monumental entrance tower, making it the tallest structure of its kind in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Talhelm |first=Matt |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Seven-story tower to complete Hindu temple in Cary |url=https://www.wral.com/seven-story-tower-to-complete-hindu-temple-in-cary/19916222/ |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}} This Hindu temple is modeled after the famous Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupathi in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.{{Cite web |last=Shimron |first=Yonat |date=April 30, 2009 |title=A Hindu Temple in Cary |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/hindu-temple-cary |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=NCpedia}}

File:Railhawks 2014.JPG vs. F.C. Dallas in a 2014 U.S. Open Cup match in WakeMed Soccer Park]]

Cary is home to two professional sports teams: the North Carolina Courage (National Women's Soccer League) and the North Carolina FC (USL League One).{{Cite web |title=Stadium |url=https://www.nccourage.com/stadium |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=NCCourage.com}}{{Cite web |title=Stadium |url=https://www.northcarolinafc.com/stadium |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=NorthCarolinaFC.com}} Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary is the home venue for both soccer teams.

WakeMed Soccer Park has been the host site for the NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament.[https://www.ncaa.com/championships/soccer-men/d1/future-info College Cup: Men's DI soccer championship]. NCAA. Retrieved February 6, 2020. As of 2007, Cary is also home of the USA Baseball National Training Complex, located within the {{Convert|221|acre|ha|abbr=on}} Thomas Brooks Park.{{Cite web |title=National Training Complex |url=https://www.usabaseball.com/about/national-training-complex |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=USA Baseball |language=en}} The complex was selected to host the NCAA Division II baseball tournament in 2009–2016, 2018–2019, and 2021 to date.[https://www.townofcary.org/Home/Components/News/News/14777/715 Cary to Host NCAA Division II Baseball Championship for 10th time]. (April 23, 2019) Town of Cary. Retrieved February 6, 2020.

File:SK8-Cary-006 - panoramio.jpg

Cary has more than thirty public parks and natural areas. Notable parks include the new urban [https://downtowncarypark.com/ Downtown Cary Park], Fred G. Bond Metro Park, Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, and William B. Umstead State Park.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2019 |title=The 10 Best Parks in the Triangle {{!}} The Best Parks in Raleigh, Cary, & Apex, NC {{!}} Blackhawk Professional Tree Care |url=https://www.blackhawktreeinc.com/10-best-parks-in-raleigh/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=William B. Umstead State Park {{!}} NC State Parks |url=https://www.ncparks.gov/william-b-umstead-state-park/home |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=www.ncparks.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Downtown Cary Park Project{{!}} Cary Project Page |url=https://www.carync.gov/projects-initiatives/project-updates/parks-projects/downtown-park |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=www.carync.gov}}

The {{Convert|24|acre|ha|abbr=on}} Cary Tennis Park is one of the most extensive public tennis facilities in the southeastern United States and features 32 courts, including a championship stadium.{{Cite web |title=Cay Tennis Park |url=https://www.visitraleigh.com/listing/cary-tennis-park/57631/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Visit Raleigh}} In 2019, the facility was one of 25 locations in the United States recognized for "excellence in the construction" by the United States Tennis Association.{{Cite web |title=Cary Tennis Park Heads List of USTA Facility Award Winners |url=https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/southern/cary-tennis-park-heads-list-of-usta-facility-award-winners.html |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=www.usta.com |language=en}}

{{see also|List of mayors of Cary, North Carolina}}

File:Harold Weinbrecht 0614 (1).jpg]]

Despite its sizable population, Cary is classified as a "town" because that is how it was incorporated with the State; North Carolina has no legal distinction between a city and a town for size.{{cite news |last=Bolejack |first=Scott |date=April 2, 2018 |title=Should Cary call itself a city or a town? Does it even matter? |work=News & Observer |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article207684979.html |access-date=April 3, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/towns-and-cities |title=Towns and Cities |last=Stick |first=David |date=2006 |website=NCPedia |publisher=North Carolina Government & Heritage Library |access-date=August 4, 2022}} Cary has a council-manager government; the mayor and council members serve a four-year term, with half of the council seats being up for election each odd-numbered year. Four of the six council seats are elected by single-member districts; the remaining two seats are elected as at-large representatives, meaning they must attract a majority of votes across the whole town.{{cite web |title=Town Council |url=https://www.townofcary.org/mayor-council/town-council |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=Town of Cary}} Notable mayors include Fred Bond Jr. (1971–1983), Glen Lang (1999–2003), and Harold Weinbrecht (2007–present).{{Cite web |title=150 Moment: Mayor Fred G. Bond – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/09/17/150-moment-mayor-fred-g-bond/ |access-date=November 8, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}}

As of August 2024, the town council consists of mayor Harold Weinbrecht and representatives Jennifer Robinson (District A, Mayor Pro Tem), Michelle Craig (District B), Jack W. Smith (District C), Sarika Bansal (District D), Lori Bush (at-large), and Carissa Kohn-Johnson (at-large). On October 9, 2007, Weinbrecht defeated incumbent mayor Ernie McAlister in the 2007 mayoral election. Citizen concerns that rapid growth was adversely affecting infrastructure and environment over the effect rapid growth was having on the town, especially on roads, schools, and the environment, led to McAlister's ouster and Weinbrecht's reelection in 2011, 2015, and 2019, and 2023.{{cite news |first=Kelcey |last=Carlson |title=Town of CaryWeinbrecht Wins Upset in Cary Mayoral Race |date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=Capitol Broadcasting Company |url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/1908306/ |work=WRAL News |access-date=May 23, 2010}}Brown, Trent. "[https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article235853302.html Cary mayor re-elected, new council member elected, according to unofficial results]", The News & Observer, October 8, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.

On December 26, 2009, The Nation reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had secret prisons in the United States, where it held suspected illegal immigrants indefinitely before deportation.{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Jacqueline |date=December 16, 2009 |title=America's Secret ICE Castles |work=The Nation |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/americas-secret-ice-castles/ |access-date=July 20, 2010}} It reported that at least one of these secret federal prisons was allegedly located in an office building in Cary. Part of the federal government's Department of Homeland Security, ICE has leased an office in Cary for more than ten years.{{Cite web |last= |date=June 27, 2011 |title=Cary neighborhood opposes potential immigration office |url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9787378/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}} However, both ICE and the town says that no detainees are kept overnight at this location.{{cite web |url=http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/Administration/pio/factsheet-caryice.htm |title=Get the Facts - ICE in Cary |access-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628232324/http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/Administration/pio/factsheet-caryice.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}

File:Green Level.jpg]]

File:Cary Academy main quad.jpg]]

Headquartered in Cary, the Wake County Public School System is the largest public school system in North Carolina.{{cite web |title=Wake County Public Schools |url=https://www.wcpss.net/wcpss |access-date=January 24, 2022 |website=Wake County Public Schools}} Cary has five public high schools: Cary High School, Green Hope High School, Green Level High School, Middle Creek High School, and Panther Creek High School.{{Cite web |title=High Schools in Cary, NC |url=https://high-schools.com/directory/nc/cities/cary/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=high-schools.com}} The town has seven middle schools and nineteen elementary schools that are part of the Wake County system.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Search K - 12 Schools |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/search?grade=2&state=NC&district-id=101512&city-zip=Cary&school-type=charter&school-type=magnet&school-type=public |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=US News}}

Cary has three charter schools: the K–8 grade Cardinal Charter Academy, the K–7 grade Peak Charter Academy, and the K–11 grade Triangle Math and Science Academy.{{Cite web |title=Charter Schools in Wake County |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-charter-schools/c/wake-county-nc/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Niche |language=en}}

• Cary Academy, 6–12 grade
• Cary Christian School, K–12 grade
• Chesterbrook Academy, K–5 grade{{Cite web |title=Explore Chesterbrook Academy Elementary and Middle School |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/chesterbrook-academy-elementary-and-middle-school-cary-nc/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Niche |language=en}}
• Grace Christian School Upper Campus, 7–12 grade{{Cite web |title=Grace Christian School |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/grace-christian-school-raleigh-nc/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Niche |language=en}}
• Heartwood Montessori School, K–12 grade
• Hopewell Academy, 6–12 grade
• Resurrection Lutheran School, K–8th grade{{Cite web |title=Explore Resurrection Lutheran School |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/resurrection-lutheran-school-cary-nc/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Niche |language=en}}
• Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School, PK–8 grade{{Cite web |title=Explore St. Michael the Archangel School |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/st-michael-the-archangel-school-cary-nc/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Niche |language=en}}

Wake Technical Community College's Western Wake Campus is located on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Western Wake Campus |url=https://www.waketech.edu/about-wake-tech/campuses-centers/western-wake-campus |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=Wake Technical Community College |language=en}}

File:CTRANbusCary.JPG

File:Cary NC Amtrak Station.jpg

File:Cary greenway - panoramio.jpg

Public transit within the town is provided by GoCary, with six fixed–routes.{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=July 11, 2017 |title=A Guide to the GoCary System |url=https://carycitizenarchive.com/2017/07/11/a-guide-to-the-gocary-system/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=Cary Citizen |language=en-US}} There is a door-to-door service for senior citizens and riders with disabilities. GoTriangle operates fixed-route buses that serve Wake County and connect to Go transit systems in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Anna |date=July 3, 2021 |title=GoTriangle buses, systems will be fare-free through June 22 |pages=A14 |work=The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96795228/go-cary/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=October 2, 2021 |title=On-demand Shuttle Brings Public Transit to Morrisville |pages=A3 |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96795831/gocary/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Amtrak's Silver Star, Carolinian, and Piedmont passenger trains stop at the Cary Station, providing service to Charlotte, New York City, Miami, and intermediate points.{{Cite web |title=Cary Train Schedule {{!}} North Carolina Amtrak Service |url=https://www.ncbytrain.org/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=NC By Train |publisher=State of North Carolina |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Cary, NC (CYN) – Great American Stations |url=https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/cary-nc-cyn/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |language=en-US}} Constructed in 1995 and expanded in 2011, the station includes 130 free parking spaces.{{Cite news |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Top-Rated Amtrak Station in Downtown Cary |pages=A4 |work=The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96797681/cary-sration/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 2010, the League of American Bicyclists designated Cary as one of the fourteen recipients of the first Bicycle-Friendly Community awards for "providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and encouraging residents to bike for transportation and recreation".{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=2010 Bike Friendly America |url=https://www.bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/american_bicyclists_jan_feb10.pdf |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Bike Friendly America |page=38}} Cary maintains over {{Convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} of bike-friendly road and greenways facilities.{{Cite web |title=Bike Cary {{!}} Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/bike-cary |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org}} In addition, U.S. Bicycle Route 1 (Carolina Connector) and N.C. Bicycle Route #2, (Mountains to Sea), both pass through suburban Cary.{{Cite web |title=9.3 State Bike Routes |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/walkbikenc/pictures/bikeroutes.pdf |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=North Carolina Department of Transportation}}

Cary maintains a network of {{convert|82|mi|km|abbr=on}} of greenways and trails that connect neighborhoods and parks throughout the town. The {{convert|23|mi|km|abbr=on}} American Tobacco Trail, built on a retired section of railroad, passes through parts of Cary.{{Cite web |title=American Tobacco Trail |url=https://www.traillink.com/trail/american-tobacco-trail/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=Trail Link}}

The Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is north of Cary (Cary provides water to the airport) and covers more than 35 nonstop destinations with twelve carriers.{{Cite web |last=Airport |first=Raleigh-Durham International |title=Nonstop Destinations |url=https://www.rdu.com/airline-information/airline-destinations/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=Raleigh-Durham International Airport |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Airport |first=Raleigh-Durham International |title=Airlines Serving RDU |url=https://www.rdu.com/airline-information/rdu-airlines/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=Raleigh-Durham International Airport |language=en-US}} RDU served nearly 8.8 million passengers in 2021.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Statistics |url=https://www.rdu.com/airport-authority/statistics/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=Raleigh-Durham International Airport |language=en-US}} This is down from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic number of 14.2 million passengers a year in 2019.{{Cite news |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Airport Delays Expansion Project Amid Pandemic |pages=6A |work=The News and Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96748250/rdu/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

{{Main|North Carolina Highway System}}

Cary is linked to areas both in and out of North Carolina via the east–west running Interstate 40, the north–south running U.S. 1, and the east–west running U.S. 64.{{Cite web |title=Map of Cary, NC. Streets, roads, directions and sights of Cary, NC. |url=https://www.city2map.com/en/us/nc/cary/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=www.city2map.com}} State highways in Cary include NC 54, NC 55, and NC 540.{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Adam |title=N.C. 54 |url=http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/nc054.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=N.C. Roads}}{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Adam |title=N.C. 55 |url=http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/nc055.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=NC Roads}}{{Cite web |title=Morrisville Parkway Extension and NC 540 Interchange {{!}} Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/projects-initiatives/project-updates/street-projects/morrisville-parkway-extension-and-nc-540-interchange |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org |language=en}} Another major route in the town is the Cary Parkway.{{Cite web |last= |date=December 1, 1999 |title=Missing Link of Cary Parkway Could Open Next Week |url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/142346/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}}

Cary has many choices for primary care physicians, including practices that are connected to Duke University Health System, UNC Medical Center, UNC Rex Healthcare, and WakeMed.{{Cite web |title=Best Primary Care Physicians in Cary, NC - Family Medicine Doctors {{!}} Healthgrades |url=https://www.healthgrades.com/find-a-doctor/north-carolina/best-primary-care-physicians-in-cary |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=www.healthgrades.com |language=en}} WakeMed Cary Hospital, a full-service hospital with 208 acute care beds, is also located in Cary.{{cite web |title=Cary Hospital |url=https://www.wakemed.org/location/cary-hospital |publisher=WakeMed Health & Hospitals |access-date=February 28, 2022}}

Duke Energy provides electricity for Cary.{{Cite web |title=New to Cary? {{!}} Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/services-publications/new-to-cary |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org}} Dominion Energy has provided natural gas to Cary since 2019, when it acquired the Public Service Company of North Carolina.{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2019 |title=Public Service Company of North Carolina (Subsidiary of Dominion Energy, Inc.) |url=https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/public-service-company-of-north-carolina-subsidiary-of-dominion-energy-inc-29-04-2019#:~:text=Public%20Service%20Company%20of%20North%20Carolina%20(PSNC)%20became%20an%20indirect,550%2C000%20customers%20in%20North%20Carolina. |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=Fitch Ratings}} Cary's primary water source is the B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (also known as Jordan Lake), which is treated at the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility.{{Cite web |title=Cary, Town of |url=https://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/members/member-directory/cary-town |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=Alliance for Water Efficiency |language=en}} Water and sewage accounts are overseen by the Town of Cary.{{Cite web |title=Water, Sewer & Stormwater {{!}} Town of Cary |url=https://www.townofcary.org/services-publications/water-sewer |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=www.townofcary.org}} Cary also provides bi-weekly curbside recycling.{{Cite web |title=Basics of Recycling in Cary – CaryCitizen |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/02/19/basics-of-recycling-in-cary/ |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=carycitizen.news}}

In 2016, Cary created its Simulated Smart City Program, which allows the town to test and evaluate Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city technologies in its town hall campus.{{Cite web |last=Grey |first=Stanfield |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Is Cary, NC the Next Smart City? How the Town Tackles Community Challenges with IoT – DIG SOUTH |url=https://digsouth.com/2017/10/25/is-cary-nc-the-next-smart-city-iot/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |language=en-US}} Technologies already tested and expanded into the community include sensors for public parking that reveal available spots, smart street lights that dim when not needed, smart trash and recycling containers that message when they are full, and free outdoor Wi-Fi via beacons.Bird, Hilary (February 22, 2019). "[https://www.nrpa.org/blog/the-city-of-the-future-is-being-built-in-cary-nc/ The City of the Future Is Being Built in Cary, NC]". National Recreation and Park Association. Retrieved March 6, 2022. The first town-wide IoT project was a smart water monitoring system with analytics from the SAS Institute, which can detect leaks."[https://gcn.com/data-analytics/2021/11/nc-town-builds-iot-center-of-excellence/316333/ NC town builds IoT center of excellence]". GCN. November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Snow |first=Jackie |date=July 20, 2017 |title=Q&A: How Cary, NC, proves size is not a limitation of smart development |url=https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/qa-how-cary-nc-proves-size-is-not-a-limitation-of-smart-development/447436/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=Smart Cities Dive |language=en-US}} The National Recreation and Park Association noted, "These technologies offer more than just cost savings for the city of Cary. They also provide convenient quality-of-life improvements for citizens, and in many cases help lower environmental waste." Cary and SAS also collaborated on an IoT stormwater flood alert system, winning the 2020 IDC Smart Cities North American Awards (Smart Water Category) and the 2020 Government Innovation Award (Leveraging IoT for Increased Flood Protection).Parker, Jason (July 15, 2021). "[https://wraltechwire.com/2021/07/15/hold-that-green-light-carys-new-smart-city-project-includes-wireless-control-of-traffic-signals/ Hold that green light: Cary's new smart city project includes wireless control of traffic signals] | WRAL TechWire". wraltechwire.com. Retrieved March 6, 2022."[https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/idc-names-winners-2020-smart-cities-north-america-awards/573768/ IDC names winners of 2020 Smart Cities North America Awards]". Smart Cities Dive. Retrieved March 6, 2022.

In 2021, Cary installed IoT and smart city technologies that give emergency vehicles faster access through pedestrian crossings, railroad crossings, school zones, and traffic lights. This is the first citywide system like this in North Carolina. Paid for by the town with a matching grant from the U.S Department of Transportation, this project involved fifteen pedestrian crossings, 100 school safety beacons, 205 traffic signals, and railroad crossings.

In late 2021, Cary announced a new tech-focused Center of Excellence that brings together the town, SAS, and Semtech Corporation, to create new community services and expand the digital infrastructure.Golstein, Phil. "[https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2022/01/cary-nc-build-iot-center-test-new-applications Cary, N.C., to Build IoT Center to Test New Applications]". State Tech. Retrieved March 6, 2022. Connected World says, "In the quest for developing smarter cities across the country, ...the town of Cary, N.C., is one of the smartest towns in the United States".Lansdowne i, Richard (February 4, 2022). "[https://connectedworld.com/iot-connectivity-its-enhancing-everyday-life-in-the-town-of-cary-n-c/ IoT Connectivity: It's Enhancing Everyday Life in the Town of Cary, N.C.]" Connected World. Retrieved March 6, 2022.

• Brian Ackley, soccer player{{Cite web |title=Brian Ackley - Men's Soccer |url=https://iuhoosiers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/brian-ackley/3492 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Indiana University Athletics |language=en}}
• Gale Adcock, politician and director of corporate health services for SAS Institute{{Cite web |last=Pollitt |first=Phoebe |date=November 22, 2021 |title=Gale Adcock |url=https://nursinghistory.appstate.edu/biographies/gale-adcock |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=North Carolina Nursing History |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Gale Adcock Announces Run for North Carolina Senate |url=https://carycitizen.news/2021/11/15/gale-adcock-announces-run-for-north-carolina-senate/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Cary Citizen}}
• Nida Allam, politician and political analyst{{Cite web |last=Venutolo-Mantovani |first=Michael |date=August 25, 2020 |title=From Tragedy to Trailblazer |url=https://bittersoutherner.com/2020/nida-allam-durham-north-carolina-county-comissioner-muslim |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=The Bitter Southerner |language=en-US}}
• Vernetta Alston, politician and attorney{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Durham city council member gears up for General Assembly run |url=https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/durham-county-news/durham-city-council-member-gears-up-for-general-assembly-run/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=CBS17.com |language=en-US}}
• John Altschuler, television and film writer and producerMenconi, David (October 25, 2009). "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93675937/ The Players: Tarheel Edition]". The News and Observer. p. 10D. Retrieved January 28, 2009 – via Newspapers.com.
• Debbie Antonelli, sports commentator{{Cite web |title=Debbie Antonelli |url=http://www.ncshof.org/page/show/5633999-debbie-antonelli-2021 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame |language=en-us}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Reggie Barnes, former pro-skateboarder and founder/owner of Eastern Skateboard Supply{{Cite web |last=Rectenwald |first=Laura |date=August 26, 2007 |title=SK8 |url=https://wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com/sk8/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Wrightsville Beach Magazine}}
• Fred Bond Jr., tobacco industry representative and politician
• Marshall Brain, television host and authorHooley, Danny (March 31, 2008). "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93696162/ Brain Gets New Show]". The News and Observer. p. E1. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
• Chucky Brown, former professional basketball player{{Cite web |last= |date=April 2, 2022 |title=SAU Athletics Names Chucky Brown As Head Men's Basketball Coach |url=https://spectacularmag.com/2022/04/02/sau-athletics-names-chucky-brown-as-head-mens-basketball-coach/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Spectacular Magazine |language=en-US}}
• Chris Castor, former professional football player{{Cite web |title=Castor Named to 2014 ACC Legends Class |url=https://goduke.com/news/2014/9/18/209662092.aspx |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Duke University |language=en}}
• Héctor Cotto, Olympic track and field athleteBlake, J. Mike (October 7, 2005). "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93700257/ Green Hope's First HOF Class Ready for Induction]". The News and Observer. p. B1. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Green Hope High School is in Cary, North Carolina.
• Carter Cruise, DJ, model, and pornographic actress{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Bob |date=July 11, 2017 |title=Weekend Walk on the Wildside with Booze, an Info Babe and a For Real..... |url=https://bobleesays.com/2017/07/10/ecu-carter-cruise-julia-sims/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=BobLee Says |language=en-US}}
• Claire Curzan, Olympic swimmer{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2021 |title=US Butterfly Prodigy Claire Curzan: 'Everyone Gawked at this Girl Who Liked to Swim Fast' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/23/claire-curzan-100m-butterfly-team-usa-swimming-tokyo-olympics |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}
• John Custer, record producer and musicianGrissom, Rob (January 2014). "[https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.44/evu.b7b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/3Dot_V3.1.pdf John Custer: The Indestructible Godfather of North Carolina Music Industry]" (PDF). 3 Dot Mag. 3 (1): 33.
• Anoop Desai, singer-songwriter and contestant on American Idol{{Cite web |title=Desai, Anoop |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/desai-anoop |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=NCpedia}}
• Spright Dowell, former president of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2004 |title=Spright Dowell {{!}} Mercer University |url=http://www.mercer.edu/SACS/resources/tarver-library/dowell.htm |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041115224823/http://www.mercer.edu/SACS/resources/tarver-library/dowell.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2004}}
• Tim Downs, author and comic strip artist of Downstown{{Cite web |title=Tim Downs {{!}} Christian Books |url=https://www.moodypublishers.com/authors/d/tim-downs/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Moody Publishers}}
• Chris Flemmings, professional basketball player{{Cite web |title=Chris Flemmings - Men's Basketball |url=https://uncwsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/chris-flemmings/5516 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |language=en}}
• Kendall Fletcher, professional soccer player[https://goheels.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/kendall-fletcher/6228 Kendall Fletcher - Women's Soccer - UNC]. goheels.com.
• Ben Fountain, author{{Cite web |last=Birnbaum |first=Robert |date=January 4, 2019 |title=Ben Fountain |url=https://themorningnews.org/article/ben-fountain |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=The Morning News}}{{Cite web |title=Ben Fountain '83 {{!}} Duke University School of Law |url=https://law.duke.edu/news/ben-fountain-83/ |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=law.duke.edu |language=en}}
• Lianne Gonsalves, officer for the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization in Geneva
• James Goodnight, co-founder and CEO of SAS Institute and co-founder of Cary Academy{{Cite web |title=James Goodnight |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/james-goodnight/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
• Linda Hinkleman Gunter, former politician and educator{{Cite web |last= |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Linda Gunter will brief retirees on benefits, insurance, COLAs, and the state budget |url=https://cmaebulletin.blogspot.com/2019/11/linda-gunter-will-brief-retirees-on.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=CMAE Bulletin}}
• Vance Heafner, professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour{{Cite web |title=Vance Heafner Obituary - Raleigh, NC |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/vance-heafner-5253433 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Dignity Memorial |language=en}}
• Charlotte Hook, swimmer{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Hook - Player Profile - Swimming |url=https://www.eurosport.com/swimming/charlotte-hook_prs612780/person.shtml |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Eurosport |language=en}}
• Andrew Hubner, author{{Cite web |title=Andrew ("Drew") Keith Hubner |url=https://www.riverdale-on-hudson.com/obituary-notices/2022/8/17/andrew-drew-keith-hubner |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, Inc. - Bronx, NY |date=August 15, 2022 |language=en-US}}
• Justin Jedlica, model and businessman{{Cite web |last= |date=January 8, 2014 |title='Human Ken Doll' Justin Jedlica dishes on plastic surgery, Jocelyn Wildenstein, 'Human Barbie Doll' |url=https://www.metro.us/human-ken-doll-justin-jedlica-dishes-on-plastic-surgery-jocelynwildenstein-human-barbie-doll/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Metro U.S. |language=en-US}}
• Sabrina Jeffries, authorMatchar, Emily (July 10, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070805184757/http://www.carynews.com/arts_more/story/6676.html "A refuge in romance]". The Cary News. Archived from the [http://www.carynews.com/arts_more/story/6676.html original] on August 5, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
• Jan Johansson, bluegrass musician{{Cite web |last= |date=October 1, 2014 |title=Moved by bluegrass, Swede moves to America |url=https://www.wral.com/moved-by-bluegrass-swede-moves-to-america/14035876/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}}
• Isaiah Johnson, professional football player{{Cite web |title=Isaiah Johnson Stats, News, Bio |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2570484/isaiah-johnson |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
• Alfred Daniel Jones, former U.S. Consul General in Shanghai
• Greg Jones, professional baseball player{{Cite web |last=Leighton |first=Aram |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Greg Jones Is Turning Projection Into Production |url=https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/greg-jones-is-turning-projection-into-production/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Just Baseball |language=en-US}}
• Peter Kilpatrick, president of Catholic University of America{{Cite web |title=New CUA president brings faith he grew at Cary's St. Michael |url=https://dioceseofraleigh.org/news/new-cua-president-brings-faith-he-grew-carys-st-michael |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Diocese of Raleigh |date=June 30, 2022 |language=en}}
• Scott Kooistra, professional football player{{Cite web |title=Scott Kooistra, Cary, Offensive Tackle |url=https://247sports.com/player/scott-kooistra-73760/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}
• Glen Lang, former professional hockey player, former politician, and CEO of Capitol Broadband{{Cite web |title=Glen Lang - Biography 2007 BBP Summit |url=http://www.broadbandproperties.com/2007summit/bios/Lang-glen.php |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=www.broadbandproperties.com |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722053710/http://www.broadbandproperties.com/2007summit/bios/Lang-glen.php |url-status=dead}}
• Travis May, technology company founder, CEO, and president{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Jennifer |date=April 30, 2018 |title=Growing health tech company with Triangle ties makes acquisition, banks $40M |language=en-US |work=Triangle Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2018/04/30/growing-health-tech-company-with-triangle-ties.html |access-date=December 21, 2022}}
• Luke Maye, professional basketball player{{Cite web |title=Luke Maye - Men's Basketball |url=https://goheels.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/luke-maye/14653 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=University of North Carolina Athletics |language=en}}
• Trey Murphy III, professional basketball player{{Cite web |title=Trey Murphy, Virginia Cavaliers, Shooting Guard |url=https://247sports.com/player/trey-murphy-46040054/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}
• Wiley Nickel, member of the N.C. Senate{{Cite web |title=Wiley Nickel |url=https://nickelandgranados.com/our-team |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Nickel & Granados Law Team |language=en-US}}
• Matt Oberst, musician{{Cite web |title=Matthew Oberst Obituary - Cary, NC |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/cary-nc/matthew-oberst-7187398 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Dignity Memorial |language=en}}
• Robert N. Page, politician and congressman{{Cite web |title=Page, Robert Newton |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/P000022 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}}
• Walter Hines Page, journalist and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain during World War I{{Cite EB1922 |wstitle=Page, Walter Hines |volume=32 |page= |short=1}}
• Hilda Pinnix–Ragland, business executive and philanthropist{{Cite web |title=Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, 2005 Women of Western Wake Honoree {{!}} Cary Magazine |date=July 24, 2017 |url=https://www.carymagazine.com/features/hilda-pinnix-ragland-2005-women-of-western-wake-honoree/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |language=en-US}}
• Max Povse, professional baseball player[https://www.milb.com/player/max-povse-605428 Max Povse Stats, Highlights, Bio]. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
• Bevin Prince, actress{{Cite web |last=Klahre |first=Beth A. |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Curating a Fun Fitness Experience |url=https://www.wilmamag.com/curating-a-fun-fitness-experience/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=WILMA magazine |language=en-US}}
• Morgan Reid, professional soccer player[https://www.orlandocitysc.com/players/198/morgan-reid Morgan Reid]. Orlando City Soccer Club
• Justin Ress, competitive swimmer who represented the United States at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships{{Cite web |last=Lepesant |first=Anne |date=October 1, 2014 |title=NC State Keeps Homegrown Talent In State: Cary-Native Justin Ress Gives Verbal Commitment |url=https://swimswam.com/nc-state-keeps-homegrown-talent-state-cary-native-justin-ress-commits/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=SwimSwam |language=en-US}}
• Anthony Rush, current NFL defensive tackle{{Cite web |title=Anthony Rush, Cary, Defensive Tackle |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Anthony-Rush-34819/high-school-56866/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}
• Saiyan (Ryan Danford), former professional esports player"[https://web.archive.org/web/20061217055858/http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/mlg/theshow/characterprofiles/saiyan/index.html Saiyan: Final Boss]". USA Network. Archived from the [http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/mlg/theshow/characterprofiles/saiyan/index.html original] on December 17, 2006. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
• John Sall, co-founder of SAS Institute and Cary Academy{{Cite web |title=John Sall |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/john-sall/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
• Mark Scalf, baseball coachChris Wright (May 30, 2013). "Cary native Scalf leads UNC Wilmington to baseball success". Raleigh, NC: The News & Observer. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013
• Zack Schilawski, former pro soccer player and assistant coach at UNC Wilmington{{Cite web |title=Zack Schilawski - Men's Soccer Coach |url=https://uncwsports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/zack-schilawski/643 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |language=en}}
• Ainsley Seiger, actress{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2021 |title=NC Native Settles Into the Cast of New 'Law & Order' Show |url=https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/regional/article_73c09c52-c796-11eb-8951-5707500338ec.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Carolina Coast Online |language=en}}
• Vic Sorrell, former MLB pitcher and World Series champion{{Cite web |title=Vic Sorrell - Stats |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/18263/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=The Baseball Cube |language=en}}
• Ryan Spaulding, professional soccer player{{Cite web |title=Ryan Spaulding - Men's Soccer |url=https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ryan-spaulding/5115 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Charlotte Athletics |language=en}}
• Azurá Stevens, professional basketball player{{Cite web |title=Azurá Stevens - 2015–16 - Women's Basketball |url=https://goduke.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/azur--stevens/2570 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Duke University |language=en}}
• Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games{{Cite web |title=Tim Sweeney |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/tim-sweeney/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
• Rysa Walker, authorSchaeffer, Cindy (October 23, 2016). "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94152625/ More than Just Campfire Stories]". The News and Observer. p. 5D. Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
• Aaron Ward, former professional hockey player{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2015 |title=Former NHL Player Aaron Ward Charged with Assaulting Wife |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-nhl-player-aaron-ward-charged-with-assaulting-wife/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}
• Curtis Waters, recording artist{{Cite web |last=Miao |first=Hannah |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Meet Curtis Waters, the Cary Musician Going Viral on TikTok with "Stunnin'" |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/926567ee-a04d-11ea-9425-1244d5f7c7c6/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=INDY Week |language=en-us}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Harold Weinbrecht, politician and former programmer for SAS Institute{{Cite web |title=Harold Weinbrecht |url=https://www.townofcary.org/mayor-council/town-council/council-members/harold-weinbrecht |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=Town of Cary |language=en}}
• Jennifer Weiss, former member of the N.C. General Assembly{{Cite web |last=Bennett-Wilkes |first=Theresa W. |date=October 7, 2008 |title=Representative Jennifer Weiss {{!}} NC Journal of Women |url=http://www.ncjournalforwomen.com/months/2004_months/may04/may04bennettwilkes.htm |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007081809/http://www.ncjournalforwomen.com/months/2004_months/may04/may04bennettwilkes.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008}}
• Kay Yow, former head coach of women's basketball at North Carolina State University{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Barry |date=August 7, 1988 |title=Olympic Profile: Kay Yow: The women's basketball coach uses a positive approach and adjusts to most situations.; Handling Pressures on Any Court |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/07/sports/olympic-profile-kay-yow-the-womens-basketball-coach-uses-a-positive-a.html |access-date=November 7, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}
• Katie Zaferes, professional triathleteLee, Edward (August 3, 2021). "[https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/bs-sp-katie-zaferes-second-medal-olympics-triathlon-20210803-6dccraqyejea3eapxttrjjz24i-story.html Hampstead native and triathlete Katie Zaferes grateful to leave Tokyo Olympics with two medals: 'We did this together']". Capital Gazette/Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022

The Sister Cities Association of Cary has created long–term relationships with five sister cities:{{cite web |title=Our Sister Cities |url=http://sistercitiesofcary.org/our-sister-cities/ |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=sistercitiesofcary.org |publisher=Sister Cities Association of Cary}}

• {{flagicon|FRA}} Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France (1992)
• {{flagicon|TWN}} Hsinchu, Taiwan (1993)
• {{flagicon|IRL}} County Meath, Ireland (2001)
• {{flagicon|CAN}} Markham, Canada (2002)
• {{flagicon|TUR}} Bandırma, Turkey (2022)

{{Portal|United States|North Carolina}}

• List of municipalities in North Carolina

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Cary}}

• {{osmrelation|179796}}
• {{Official website|https://www.carync.gov/}}
• [http://www.carychamber.com/ Cary Chamber of Commerce]

{{Cary, North Carolina}}

{{Chatham County, North Carolina}}

{{Wake County, North Carolina}}

{{North Carolina}}

{{Triangle, NC}}

{{Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cary, North Carolina}}

Category:Populated places established in 1750

Category:1750 establishments in North Carolina