From world-class venues and experiences to its thriving, walkable downtown filled with diverse businesses, entertainment, and dining, Cary aims to bring the best of city life while holding fast to the diverse, inclusive community that its residents and visitors cherish. On the whole, Caryites are a hard-working, educated group with one of the highest median household incomes in the state. And being no further than 20 minutes from major universities such as Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina, it's no wonder that life-long learning and innovation is an important part of the Cary experience.

Cary continually ranks as one of the top 20 safest large cities nationally and the safest in the Southeast. Our Police and Fire departments and Emergency Medical Services are nationally-accredited, and their members are an integral part of the community as we continue to progress and adapt to changing times.

Over 80 miles of greenway connect more than 30 public parks and natural areas, multiple special-use facilities, four sports venues, and nine staffed facilities that provide a variety of programs and services for all ages.

Cary is home to world-class businesses and national retail stores. A walkable downtown offers moments of inspiration around every corner, with the perfect combination of entertainment, natural space, and dining options for just about every taste.

For entertainment lovers, Cary's world-class venues have hosted international sports tournaments and world-famous musical acts and everything in between. Our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources program also has something for everyone, regardless of age or interest.

School-age children comprise nearly a quarter of Cary's population, yet people of retirement age are the fastest-growing group in Cary. 19 percent of townspeople were born in another country, and the Asian population - Cary's largest minority - tripled during the 1990s.

Cary is proactive. We're conserving drinking water by reclaiming treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial processes; we're preserving and protecting open space; we're integrating sustainability into all that we do; and working with citizens and county leaders to make our schools even better.

In Cary, we focus every day on enriching the lives of our citizens by creating an exceptional environment and providing exemplary services that enable our community to thrive and prosper. The Mayor's annual State of the Town address shows not only how important it is to show citizens how we're doing, but also that we're always listening for ways to get better.