<P> The town's population was 135,234 as of the 2010 census (an increase of 43.1% since 2000), making it the largest town and seventh - largest municipality statewide . As of April 2018, the town's estimated population was 162,025, though Cary was still considered a town because that is how it was registered with the state . Cary is the second most populous incorporated town (behind only Gilbert, Arizona) in the United States . </P> <P> According to the US Census Bureau, Cary was the 5th fastest - growing municipality in the United States between September 1, 2006, and September 1, 2007 . In 2015 Cary had a low crime rate of 84 violent crimes per 100,000 residents . Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, had a violent crime rate of 648 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, almost 8 times higher than Cary . </P> <P> Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the three primary metropolitan areas of the Research Triangle metropolitan region . The regional nickname of "The Triangle" originated after the 1959 creation of the Research Triangle Park, primarily located in Durham County, four miles from downtown Durham . RTP is bordered on three sides by the city of Durham and is roughly midway between the cities of Raleigh and Chapel Hill, and the three major research universities of NC State University, Duke University, and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill . </P> <P> Effective June 6, 2003, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) redefined the Federal statistical areas . This resulted in the formation of the Raleigh - Cary, NC Metro Area and the Durham - Chapel Hill, NC Metro Area . </P>

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