Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET
Where is Cary Located? - Cary is a city located in the Wake, Chatham County of North Carolina, United States. Cary lies between 35.30004 Degrees North latitudes and 106.5511369 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Cary, North Carolina
Cary Map, North Carolina, USA
Where is Cary?: The Google Map showing the location of Cary in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
Where is Cary Located?
Cary is a city located in the Wake, Chatham County of North Carolina, United States. Cary lies between 35.30004 Degrees North latitudes and 106.5511369 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Cary city is 174721 people and the city has a total area of 58.73 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
Transportation and Connectivity in Cary, North Carolina
Transportation
Details
Airport Name
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
IATA Code
RDU
Port
No commercial port
Major Highways
Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 1, U.S. Highway 64, NC Highway 54, NC Highway 55, NC Highway 540
Train/Amtrak Service
Amtrak service at Cary Station
Local Bus/Transit Service
GoCary and GoTriangle
Interstate 40 and U.S. Highways 1 and 64 provide convenient access to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the greater Research Triangle region.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 8 miles north and offers extensive domestic and international flight connections.
Amtrak's Cary Station is served by the Piedmont and Carolinian routes, connecting the town with Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Northeast Corridor.
GoCary and GoTriangle operate local and regional bus services throughout Cary and neighboring communities.
Cary is widely recognized for its high quality of life, thriving technology sector, excellent parks, and proximity to Research Triangle Park.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Cary, North Carolina
Landmark Name
Type
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Regional Park
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Outdoor Amphitheater
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
Nature Preserve
Cary Arts Center
Performing Arts Center
Downtown Cary Park
Urban Park
Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Historic Museum
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Seasonal Cultural Attraction
USA Baseball National Training Complex
Sports Facility
Lake Crabtree County Park
County Park
William B. Umstead State Park
State Park
Colleges and Universities in and near Cary, North Carolina
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
North Carolina State University
Public
University
Engineering, agriculture, business, and research
Duke University
Private
University
Medicine, law, engineering, and research
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Public
University
Medicine, public health, business, and liberal arts
Wake Technical Community College
Public
Community College
Career education, workforce training, and transfer programs
William Peace University
Private
University
Liberal arts, business, and education
Waterbodies in Cary, North Carolina
Jordan Lake, Lake Crabtree, Swift Creek, Walnut Creek, Crabtree Creek, Bond Lake, Harris Lake, Haw River
Golf Courses in and near Cary, North Carolina
Prestonwood Country Club, MacGregor Downs Country Club, Lochmere Golf Club, Knights Play Golf Center, The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club, Devils Ridge Golf Club, Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Heritage Golf Club
Cary, North Carolina - Key Historical Facts
Cary was founded in 1750 as a small settlement and officially incorporated in 1871, shortly after the arrival of the North Carolina Railroad.
The town was named after Samuel Fenton Cary, an educator and prohibition advocate from Ohio.
For much of its early history, Cary remained a quiet farming community serving nearby agricultural areas.
Rapid population growth began during the 1960s with the establishment of nearby Research Triangle Park and the expansion of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
Technology companies, healthcare organizations, and research institutions have transformed Cary into one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States.
Today, Cary is known for its highly rated schools, extensive greenways and parks, diverse population, strong economy, and consistently high quality of life.
