Cary, NC town hall & government
Cary spent $476.1 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,639 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Cary's government.
Where Cary's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 30%
- Fees & charges 21%
- Sales taxes 15%
- Interest, fines & other 9%
- Utility sales 9%
- Other taxes & licenses 7%
- From the state 6%
- From the federal government 2%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Cary
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Cary didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Wake County Schools
Cary's K–12 school district, shared with Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Rolesville and Wendell. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal
- Local 34%
- State 56%
- Federal 10%
Of the $12,279 per pupil, $8,085 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Cary: Chatham County Schools ($14,187 per pupil).
Which schools Cary kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Cary pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Cary's government
Who represents Cary
Cary is represented in Congress by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Representatives Deborah K. Ross, Valerie P. Foushee, Brad Knott and Richard Hudson. Josh Stein is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.