Carthage, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, Tennessee had a total population of 2,327, the 191st largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $67,006, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
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 | 2,369 | 2,327 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $65,288 | $67,006 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $239,600 | $257,300 | +7.4% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carthage | 2,364 | $55,662 | 17.2% | $200,300 |
| Gordonsville | 1,299 | $57,688 | 5.8% | $251,400 |
| Hickman | 276 | N/A | 26.1% | $432,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray | 2,237 | $69,947 | $199,400 | 36.8% | 9.8% |
| Plainview | 2,458 | $63,965 | $168,500 | 12.2% | 10.7% |
| Bluff City | 2,225 | $61,059 | $157,400 | 15.0% | 15.3% |
| South Carthage | 2,364 | $55,662 | $200,300 | 18.5% | 17.2% |
| Bells | 2,373 | $56,027 | $169,000 | 15.0% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small community located in Tennessee, within Smith County. The total population is 2,327. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 38.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carthage is $67,006. This is 4% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $257,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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, Tennessee?
Carthage, Tennessee has a population of 2,327 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, TN?
The median household income in Carthage is $67,006, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, TN?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 8.3%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, Tennessee?
Carthage's population is 83.1% White, 4.4% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, TN?
The median home value in Carthage is $257,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Carthage, Tennessee?
22.3% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.