South Carthage, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Carthage, Tennessee had a total population of 2,364, the 189th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $55,662, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South Carthage Quick Facts
How South 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 | 2,049 | 2,364 | +15.4% |
| Median household income | $47,610 | $55,662 | +16.9% |
| Median home value | $195,800 | $200,300 | +2.3% |
How South 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+)
South Carthage Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage | 2,327 | $67,006 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| Gordonsville | 1,299 | $57,688 | 5.8% | $251,400 |
| Hickman | 276 | N/A | 26.1% | $432,400 |
Cities Similar to South Carthage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bells | 2,373 | $56,027 | $169,000 | 15.0% | 25.7% |
| Alamo | 2,311 | $54,063 | $141,500 | 14.2% | 16.5% |
| Walnut Hill | 2,415 | $51,742 | $219,900 | 26.0% | 5.9% |
| Dyer | 2,217 | $54,766 | $113,500 | 15.9% | 16.7% |
| Adamsville | 2,278 | $51,422 | $148,600 | 13.9% | 28.6% |
Population Overview
South Carthage is a small community located in Tennessee, within Smith County. The total population is 2,364. It ranks as the 189th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Carthage is 30.8 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, South Carthage has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Carthage is $55,662. This is 20% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $200,300. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Carthage has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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 South Carthage, Tennessee?
South Carthage, Tennessee has a population of 2,364 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Carthage, TN?
The median household income in South Carthage is $55,662, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Carthage, TN?
The poverty rate in South Carthage is 17.2%. This means approximately 407 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Carthage, Tennessee?
South Carthage's population is 97.6% White, 1.3% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Carthage, TN?
The median home value in South Carthage is $200,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is South Carthage, Tennessee?
18.5% of adults (25+) in South Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.