Carthage, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, Mississippi had a total population of 4,866, the 72nd largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $42,254, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
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 (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 4,859 | 4,866 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $47,304 | $42,254 | -10.7% |
| Median home value | $146,800 | $154,800 | +5.4% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Leake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Grove | 737 | $42,634 | 26.5% | $85,900 |
| Redwater | 637 | $63,398 | 30.6% | $132,300 |
| Standing Pine | 479 | N/A | 27.8% | $83,700 |
| Lena | 169 | $96,786 | 5.9% | $109,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 4,655 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| University | 5,315 | N/A | N/A | 80.0% | N/A |
| Crystal Springs | 4,752 | $49,291 | $113,000 | 23.0% | 17.5% |
| Aberdeen | 4,890 | $33,285 | $87,600 | 14.6% | 28.2% |
| Fulton | 4,576 | $52,727 | $158,600 | 22.7% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small community located in Mississippi, within Leake County. The total population is 4,866. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 35.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.2% 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 is $42,254. This is 25% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 36% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $154,800. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 65.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carthage is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.0% vs 3.7%).
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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, Mississippi?
Carthage, Mississippi has a population of 4,866 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, MS?
The median household income in Carthage is $42,254, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, MS?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 29.7%. This means approximately 1,334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, Mississippi?
Carthage's population is 32.6% White, 44.5% Black, 22.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, MS?
The median home value in Carthage is $154,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Carthage, Mississippi?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.