Carthage, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, New York had a total population of 3,510, the 456th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $58,125, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 | 3,546 | 3,510 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $58,356 | $58,125 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $126,300 | $131,200 | +3.9% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | 20.1% | $158,600 |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | 11.7% | N/A |
| Calcium | 2,935 | $57,668 | 17.3% | $203,400 |
| West Carthage | 1,864 | $49,885 | 10.4% | $192,100 |
| Clayton | 1,661 | $60,573 | 19.5% | $231,800 |
| Black River | 1,651 | $86,645 | 11.8% | $228,200 |
| Adams | 1,531 | $64,432 | 8.9% | $192,400 |
| Sackets Harbor | 1,490 | $77,043 | 14.0% | $234,900 |
| Alexandria Bay | 1,212 | $55,048 | 10.8% | $154,100 |
| Adams Center | 1,075 | $87,727 | 10.1% | $178,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY Oswego | 3,564 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 42.5% |
| South Glens Falls | 3,737 | $58,542 | $212,700 | 24.6% | 12.4% |
| Lake Erie Beach | 3,279 | $59,968 | $162,500 | 25.8% | 15.2% |
| Village Green | 3,687 | $53,836 | $153,500 | 37.7% | 7.2% |
| New York Mills | 3,856 | $57,578 | $207,700 | 29.5% | 34.4% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small community located in New York, within Jefferson County. The total population is 3,510. It ranks as the 456th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 27.3 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. With 31.5% 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 $58,125. This is 32% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.8%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 5.6%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $131,200. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Carthage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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, New York?
Carthage, New York has a population of 3,510 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, NY?
The median household income in Carthage is $58,125, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, NY?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 25.8%. This means approximately 882 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, New York?
Carthage's population is 78.0% White, 5.4% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, NY?
The median home value in Carthage is $131,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Carthage, New York?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.