Carthage city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Carthage city is a small city located in Missouri. The total population is 15,513. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carthage city is 31.0 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Carthage city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carthage city is $50,849. This is 26% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.0%. This is 161% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 2.0%. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $133,500. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Carthage city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.4%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.4% vs 5.1%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carthage city, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.