A cable tie is provided that includes an integral cable tie head and strap. The strap includes a first end forming a neck section, a free end opposite the first end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the free end, the intermediate section having a predetermined width B1 and thickness T1 defining a predetermined cross-sectional area. The cable tie head is secured to the neck area of the strap at the first end of the strap, the cable tie head having a width E that is wider than strap width B and including a strap accepting channel containing a locking device. The strap accepting channel is sized to receive the free end of the strap. The neck section has a width that transitions from a width of B to a width E′ that is substantially the same as width E and a thickness T2 that is thinner than T1, the neck section having a cross-sectional area that is at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the intermediate section of the strap so as to have a tensile strength at least equal to a tensile strength of the intermediate section of the strap. The cable tie may be a bent neck type cable tie. Preferably, the neck section has at least one recessed channel defining the reduced thickness T2 and thickened side portions.