Raleigh is North Carolina’s official capital, but Cary is the “digital capital,” says Google.

In its annual economic impact report, Google says its data shows Cary as having the “strongest online business community.” A winner was declared in each state.

Google and independent research firm Ipos evaluated the likelihood of small business to have a website, social network utilization, blogs and other factors in determining the lead city in each state.

Scott Levitan, director of Small Business Engagement at Google, told WRAL News that other cities can look to Cary’s growth in e-commerce as an example.

“Google is proud to recognize this growing entrepreneurial spirit and the role it plays in creating jobs and sustaining local economies,” he said.

Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht Jr. noted: “Cary has a long history of embracing technology as a way to provide opportunities and solutions that are cost-effective and sensible, and we appreciate Google’s recognition of our accomplishments.”

Google says the “2013 eCities of America” list is based on:

  • “The revenue we received from AdWords on Google.com search results in 2012
  • “The dollars we paid to our AdSense partners in 2012
  • “And the in-kind donations we made to non-profits through Google Grants in 2012.”

About Cary, Google noted:

“Cary is tucked within North Carolina’s Research Triangle of universities. Its small business community uses the web to connect students, faculty, and lifelong residents with its shops, restaurants, and events.”

Google says 50,000 businesses and non-profits in North Carolina utilized Google’s services.

 The winners by state:

  • AL – Madison
  • AK – Homer
  • AZ – Scottsdale
  • AR – Bella Vista
  • CA – Carlsbad
  • CO – Boulder
  • CT – Glastonbury
  • DE – Bear
  • FL – Santa Rosa Beach
  • GA – Atlanta
  • HI – Kailua Kona
  • ID – Sandpoint
  • IL – Oak Brook
  • IN – Zionsville
  • IA – West Des Moines
  • KS – Lenexa
  • KY – Lexington
  • LA – Mandeville
  • ME – Scarborough
  • MD – Ocean City
  • MA – Westborough
  • MI – Walled Lake
  • MN – Minnetonka
  • MS – Ridgeland
  • MO – Maryland Heights
  • MT – Whitefish
  • NE – Lincoln
  • NV – Carson City
  • NH – Amherst
  • NJ – Princeton
  • NM – Albuquerque
  • NY – New York
  • NC – Cary
  • ND – Fargo
  • OH – Solon
  • OK – Edmond
  • OR – Ashland
  • PA – Exton
  • RI – Middletown
  • SC – N. Myrtle Beach
  • SD – Sioux Falls
  • TN – Hendersonville
  • TX – Austin
  • UT – Park City
  • VT – South Burlington
  • VA – Chantilly
  • WA – Bainbridge Island
  • WV – Charleston
  • WI – Pewaukee
  • WY – Casper