Carthage, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, Missouri had a total population of 15,574, the 58th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $51,328, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
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 (27.2%), 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 | 15,513 | 15,574 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,849 | $51,328 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $133,500 | $146,800 | +10.0% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Jasper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin | 52,593 | $52,097 | 16.9% | $168,300 |
| Webb City | 13,221 | $65,469 | 20.5% | $169,100 |
| Carl Junction | 8,339 | $82,879 | 8.4% | $218,300 |
| Oronogo | 2,804 | $91,563 | 5.0% | $188,500 |
| Duquesne | 2,257 | $54,135 | 14.2% | $184,200 |
| Carterville | 2,074 | $58,849 | 18.3% | $97,600 |
| Duenweg | 1,918 | $63,375 | 20.9% | $128,900 |
| Sarcoxie | 1,574 | $41,705 | 25.4% | $94,100 |
| Airport Drive | 941 | $69,063 | 10.8% | $251,100 |
| Jasper | 808 | $51,458 | 13.2% | $126,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | 15,270 | $48,359 | $158,800 | 18.2% | 21.7% |
| Hannibal | 16,771 | $53,721 | $127,700 | 19.6% | 19.5% |
| Overland | 15,695 | $61,773 | $131,900 | 29.6% | 9.7% |
| Sikeston | 16,320 | $58,915 | $168,800 | 27.5% | 14.2% |
| Lemay | 16,228 | $60,399 | $152,200 | 20.4% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small city located in Missouri, within Jasper County. The total population is 15,574. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 32.2 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, Carthage has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carthage is $51,328. This is 27% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 116% 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 3.2%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $146,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Carthage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.5%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.5% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, Missouri 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 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. 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, Missouri?
Carthage, Missouri has a population of 15,574 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, MO?
The median household income in Carthage is $51,328, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, MO?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 27.2%. This means approximately 4,106 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, Missouri?
Carthage's population is 59.7% White, 1.4% Black, 34.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, MO?
The median home value in Carthage is $146,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Carthage, Missouri?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.