In today’s N&O, the subhead on the Cary story reads, “Town Shifting from suburban sprawl toward urban density”.  The chart adjacent to the story would lead one to believe that urban density is horrendous with Carrboro at 3,947 per square mile, Raleigh at 2,838 and Cary at 2,614.  Red being used to highlight those densities and the story selling the point that more density is underway.

In truth, ANY city in NC has a long way to go to see real densities worthy of support for light-rail.  Following are some examples that clearly dwarf densities in the area. Is there more open space with density at less than 4,000 people per square mile or at 26,000 per square mile?  Smart Growthers like higher densities.

London – 10,803 

Hong Kong – 16,102

New York City – 26,403