Carthage, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, Arkansas had a total population of 185, the 451st largest city in Arkansas. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.2% is notably above the national average.
Carthage Quick Facts
How Carthage Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170 | 185 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $88,300 | $124,000 | +40.4% |
How Carthage Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
Cities Similar to Carthage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Grove | 186 | N/A | $60,200 | 0.0% | 21.5% |
| Wayton | 187 | $58,125 | N/A | 3.9% | 3.2% |
| Garland | 188 | $31,250 | $39,200 | 1.3% | 30.9% |
| Higden | 182 | $59,479 | $219,300 | 35.3% | 8.2% |
| Morrow | 182 | $92,546 | $216,400 | 7.2% | 33.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 185, Carthage's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Carthage is a small community located in Arkansas, within Dallas County. The total population is 185. It ranks as the 451st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 59.6 years. This is 55% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 15.2%. This is 208% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $124,000. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $188,000. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is Black or African American, making up 83.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.8%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (83.2% vs 14.6%).
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carthage, Arkansas?
Carthage, Arkansas has a population of 185 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, AR?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Carthage — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, AR?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 25.9%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, Arkansas?
Carthage's population is 16.8% White, 83.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, AR?
The median home value in Carthage is $124,000.
How educated is Carthage, Arkansas?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.