Raleigh-Cary, NC Metro Area

Raleigh-Cary, NC · Metro Area

1,487,302Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying), part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $100,103
Median home value: $418,400
Land area: 2,116 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Wake County, NC	Central	1,178,653	$105,768	$461,300
Johnston County, NC	Outlying	234,263	$83,384	$305,600
Franklin County, NC	Central	74,386	$74,240	$284,300

Largest cities and towns

28 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Raleigh, NC	City	481,031	$85,395
Cary, NC	Town	179,306	$134,905
Apex, NC	Town	70,630	$144,135
Wake Forest, NC	Town	52,844	$123,802
Holly Springs, NC	Town	45,248	$135,578
Garner, NC	Town	34,473	$78,756
Morrisville, NC	Town	31,422	$125,396
Clayton, NC	Town	29,320	$78,822
Knightdale, NC	Town	20,214	$103,220
Wendell, NC	Town	13,064	$95,787
Smithfield, NC	Town	12,116	$43,270
Rolesville, NC	Town	10,766	$149,565
Zebulon, NC	Town	8,711	$79,112
Selma, NC	Town	6,817	$41,368
Archer Lodge, NC	Town	5,186	$91,188
Benson, NC	Town	4,282	$67,102
Louisburg, NC	Town	3,263	$38,036
Lake Royale, NC	CDP	3,168	$107,806
Youngsville, NC	Town	3,011	$86,528
Wilson's Mills, NC	Town	2,753	$62,813
Franklinton, NC	Town	2,645	$59,464
Four Oaks, NC	Town	2,459	$72,826
Kenly, NC	Town	2,359	$57,045
Pine Level, NC	Town	2,031	$75,263
Princeton, NC	Town	1,658	$45,500

Also in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC combined area

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · metro · 601,724 Anderson Creek, NC · micro · 139,150 Sanford, NC · micro · 65,816 Henderson, NC · micro · 42,322

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Unemployment

4.1%

College Educated

51.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$100,103

Mean Household Income

$131,859

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.0%

Female

51.0%

Population Split

Male49.0%

Female51.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English13.4%

German9.8%

Irish9.1%

Mexican5.8%

Italian4.7%

Scottish2.4%

Polish1.9%

French1.7%

African1.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

13.7%Foreign Born

86.3%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized47.0%

Non-Citizen53.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later39.4%

Before 201060.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

619,032

Median Rent

$1,573/mo

Median Home Value

$418,400

Median Year Built

2000

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

377,037

College Enrollment

19.6%

High School

21.5%

College Educated

51.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

26.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

64.3%

Public Transit

0.5%

Work From Home

26.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.2%

18-34 Years

23.0%

35-64 Years

40.6%

65+ Years

13.2%

Population Composition

Under 1823.2%

18-3423.0%

35-6440.6%

65+13.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

52.1%

Single Parent

5.7%

Living Alone

26.2%

Avg Size

2.55

Household Types

Married Couples52.1%

Single Parent5.7%

Living Alone26.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$51,873

SNAP Usage

7.3%

Health Insurance

91.9%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k10.1%

$25k - $50k13.7%

$50k - $100k26.2%

$100k+50.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.3%

Retail Trade

9.5%

Education & Health Care

20.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

10.1%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.9%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

94.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.5%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

98.2

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

119.0

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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