The Results Are In: Cary Residents Give Government Services Best Ratings in 26 Years

• A scientific survey polled Cary residents and asked 30 core questions on topics relating to Cary including safety, appearance, customer service, and quality of life.
• The final average for service dimensions corresponds to a grade of A-, the highest in Cary's history of administering the survey.
• While giving high marks in service, Cary residents revealed the most pressing issues facing the community are growth, transportation, and affordable housing.

Cary, NC - In the history of Cary's Biennial Resident Satisfaction Survey, residents this year awarded Cary's government operations their highest scores yet, with none of the seven common service dimensions falling below an A rating. The survey gave a group of Cary residents the opportunity to rate their government and community on 30 core questions, covering topics like safety, appearance, Town employee customer service, and quality of life. The Town uses this scientific poll to help provide guidance on where it might make changes to enhance Cary residents' quality of life.

Specifically, the service dimensions were rated as follows:

"This survey report gives us a clear look at what matters most to our residents and how we're doing. It's good to see strong ratings across our services and quality of life. We also hear the concerns about transportation and housing, and that work continues. The timing lines up well as we move forward with the next budget and keep focus on what our community expects from us," said Interim Town Manager Russ Overton.

The 2026 survey also reveals:

• The Cary Police Department earned impressive ratings with a level of improvement from 2024, with no grade falling below A-.
• The Cary Fire Department continues to earn excellent ratings for all service dimensions (A+) with the exception of Courteous (A).
• The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department earned a notable degree of improvement from 2024 with the highest rated service dimension being Welcoming.
• 98.8% have a positive perception of safety in Cary, including in public places.
• 97.8% are satisfied with opportunities Cary offers to participate in the decision-making process.
• The most important issues identified by Cary residents are growth, transportation, and affordable housing.
• 31.4% of respondents are comfortable with Cary using artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in its communications with residents.
• Respondents trust Cary government, with a mean of 6.46 out of 9, more than county (5.92), North Carolina (5.26), and federal government (3.86).

This is the 15th consecutive time Cary has conducted its biennial survey, which started in 1998. This year, a total of 400 Cary residents were randomly selected for the survey and interviewed by telephone (listed, unlisted, and mobile phone numbers) from January 12 to February 27. Just like Gallop, Nielsen, and other international pollsters, consultants for Cary utilized scientifically developed sampling techniques and statistical analysis that allow the survey results to be generalized over the entire population even though not everyone in Cary is called. The margin of error for this survey was +/- 4.89%.

Cary contracted with BKL Research of Salem, VA to conduct the study (survey and report) at a cost of $44,500. Representatives from BKL will present the findings at the May 14, 2026 quarterly meeting of Town Council and staff.

Find the full survey and report at carync.gov/research.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

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