Cary, North Carolina

About Cary

Cary, N.C. is a suburb of Raleigh, sitting 10 miles west of the capital. The city has tripled in size in the last 25 years, attracting people from all over the nation – and world – due to its close proximity to Research Triangle Park, major universities and top-ranked public schools. Cary was ranked the fifth best place to live in America by Money Magazine in 2018 – and it’s consistently recognized as one of the safest cities in the nation. 

Cary began as a small settlement and farming community called Bradford’s Ordinary. The North Carolina Railroad put the settlement along a major transportation route. In 1854, Francis Page purchased 300 acres of land along the northernmost track and built a mill, post office, school and hotel – and named the area after prohibitionist Samuel Cary. The town was incorporated as a dry community in 1871. When the Chatham Railroad was established, the area began to expand quickly. Today, the town has a population of approximately 160,000 with a 2.5% growth rate. 

Apex gets its name from its location along the Chatham Railroad – the town sits at the highest point along a 30-mile section. In the 1800s, steam engines stopped at the Apex station to replenish their water supply. The town was incorporated in 1873 but remained a small trading and shipping town until the 1960s. After Research Triangle Park was established in 1959, the Triangle area of North Carolina experienced a wave of growth – including Apex. By 1990, Apex had a population of 5,000. Today, the town boasts a population of 45,000+ with a 4.57% growth rate. While its growth steadily continues at a 4.57% rate, town planners are working to ensure that Apex retains its small-town feel.