Carthage, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, North Carolina had a total population of 2,896, the 265th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $82,695, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 2,840 | 2,896 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $62,177 | $82,695 | +33.0% |
| Median home value | $194,100 | $208,200 | +7.3% |
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Moore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst | 18,256 | $109,802 | 4.3% | $476,600 |
| Southern Pines | 16,420 | $88,535 | 9.6% | $451,100 |
| Aberdeen | 9,228 | $75,078 | 10.5% | $314,900 |
| Whispering Pines | 5,211 | $126,450 | 5.3% | $464,800 |
| Seven Lakes | 4,535 | $91,085 | 8.8% | $394,500 |
| Foxfire | 1,925 | $85,117 | 4.6% | $386,700 |
| Robbins | 1,893 | $53,438 | 22.1% | $99,100 |
| Pinebluff | 1,806 | $80,833 | 6.1% | $234,200 |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | 6.7% | $257,500 |
| Candor | 1,160 | $57,639 | 28.2% | $164,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mars Hill | 3,025 | $81,429 | $294,700 | 48.0% | 3.3% |
| Youngsville | 3,011 | $86,528 | $434,100 | 43.9% | 14.3% |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | $266,100 | 32.6% | 8.2% |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | $269,300 | 24.8% | 13.3% |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | $300,600 | 38.3% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small community located in North Carolina, within Moore County. The total population is 2,896. It ranks as the 265th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 44.7 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 12.1% 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 is $82,695. This is 14% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $208,200. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Carthage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
30.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Carthage, North Carolina has a population of 2,896 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, NC?
The median household income in Carthage is $82,695, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, NC?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 14.2%. This means approximately 391 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, North Carolina?
Carthage's population is 73.1% White, 18.1% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, NC?
The median home value in Carthage is $208,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Carthage, North Carolina?
30.6% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.