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Carthage city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 28.9% is well above the state average
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Carthage city, Mississippi has a total population of 4,859, the 72nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $47,304, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.

Key Takeaways

Carthage city Quick Facts

Population 4,859
Median Household Income $47,304
Median Home Value $146,800
Poverty Rate 28.9%
Unemployment Rate 7.8%
Median Age 35.8 years
Homeownership Rate 68.8%
Affordability Ratio 3.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 18.1%
High School Graduation Rate 83.8%
Diversity Index 64/100
Population 4,859 72nd of 419
Median Income $47,304 average
Poverty Rate 28.9% 132% higher national
Median Home Value $146,800 top 30%

How Carthage city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.8% Unemployment Rate State: 6.0% | National: 5.2%
50.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 68.8%
Renter 31.2%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

64out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 55 | National average: 60

Education

Carthage city Rankings in Mississippi

#72 Population of 419
#158 Median Income of 419
#195 Education of 419
#104 Home Value of 419

Cities Similar to Carthage city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
University CDP4,899N/AN/AN/AN/A
Crystal Springs city4,766$42,990$88,30023.5%23.4%
Aberdeen city4,909$40,732$84,10014.4%21.9%
Mississippi State CDP4,367N/AN/A0.0%N/A
Pearl River CDP4,403$46,295$55,00010.1%26.9%

Population Overview

Carthage city is a small community located in Mississippi. The total population is 4,859. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carthage city is 35.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.4 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carthage city is $47,304. This is 14% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 7.8%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $146,800. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Carthage city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.6% vs 3.6%).

Education

18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% 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 city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Carthage city, Mississippi?

Carthage city, Mississippi has a population of 4,859 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Carthage city, MS?

The median household income in Carthage city is $47,304, which is 40% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Carthage city, MS?

The poverty rate in Carthage city is 28.9%. This means approximately 1,278 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Carthage city, Mississippi?

Carthage city's population is 36.0% White, 43.4% Black, 19.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Carthage city, MS?

The median home value in Carthage city is $146,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.

How educated is Carthage city, Mississippi?

18.1% of adults (25+) in Carthage city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.