Carthage, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carthage, Texas had a total population of 6,601, the 354th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 6,568 | 6,601 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $44,738 | $51,250 | +14.6% |
| Median home value | $153,100 | $164,200 | +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: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carthage Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Panola County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keene | 6,691 | $51,695 | $225,300 | 23.1% | 13.6% |
| Homestead Meadows South | 6,660 | $49,327 | $173,500 | 10.8% | 24.2% |
| Penitas | 6,444 | $48,993 | $167,000 | 11.7% | 23.8% |
| Highlands | 6,335 | $52,167 | $214,400 | 11.3% | 9.8% |
| Gonzales | 7,200 | $51,929 | $208,500 | 10.4% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Carthage is a small city located in Texas, within Panola County. The total population is 6,601. It ranks as the 354th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carthage is 39.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carthage is $51,250. This is 35% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $164,200. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carthage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.2% vs 39.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.3%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carthage, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Carthage, Texas has a population of 6,601 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carthage, TX?
The median household income in Carthage is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carthage, TX?
The poverty rate in Carthage is 11.0%. This means approximately 681 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carthage, Texas?
Carthage's population is 64.2% White, 12.6% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carthage, TX?
The median home value in Carthage is $164,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Carthage, Texas?
14.6% of adults (25+) in Carthage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.