City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Carthage, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Carthage - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,508
Residents
$75,179
Median income
$115,600
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Carthage - the verdict

Nationally, Carthage sits in the 56th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

56th
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Carthage, IL

2,508 people live in Carthage, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Carthage households earn a median of $75,179 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.8%. Carthage's housing stock carries a median value of $115,600, and the median resident age is 46.1 years. 37.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 71.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Carthage (Construction Slowdown), down 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $916 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 31.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,508 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$75,179 /yr

Poverty 2.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Carthage compare to other US cities?

Where Carthage sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Carthage against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Carthage near the bottom of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Carthage ranks #935 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carthage only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#491 of 1,311
63rd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#935 of 1,336
0th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#690 of 1,315
48th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#1,045 of 1,335
21st percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#213 of 1,336
84th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

56thIncome percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Carthage's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$115,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Carthage $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Carthage, IL Carthage, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carthage, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Carthage, IL median $75,179/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Carthage, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Carthage, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 71.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,508
Median Income
$75,179
Median Home Value
$115,600
Median Age
46.1
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor force participation
71.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.5%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,350 residents2,400 residents2,450 residents2,500 residents2,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,495 residents 2,393 residents ▼ -4.1%
Carthage's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.1%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
1.2%

Based on 1,476 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Carthage sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$916/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
31.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Altamont
2,500 people
Polo
2,495 people
Seneca
2,525 people
Carrollton
2,528 people
Richmond
2,530 people
Brighton
2,536 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carthage's 2,508 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lavonia, GA
2,508 people
Herald Harbor, MD
2,507 people
Woodland Beach, MI
2,509 people
Hazen, ND
2,509 people
Penndel, PA
2,507 people
Sumiton, AL
2,506 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carthage's $75,179 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Julian, CA
$75,179 median income
Waynesville, MO
$75,179 median income
Harmony, NC
$75,179 median income
Buckeye Lake, OH
$75,179 median income
Sidman, PA
$75,179 median income
Harvey, MI
$75,188 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carthage, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Carthage, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 87.8% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.6% Two or more races 5.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Carthage compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Carthage (this city) 2,508 $75,179
Altamont 2,500 $76,198
Polo 2,495 $52,976
Seneca 2,525 $91,065
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carthage, IL?

What is the population of Carthage, IL? +

Carthage, IL has a population of 2,508 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Carthage, IL? +

The median household income in Carthage is $75,179 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carthage? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carthage; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Carthage, IL? +

Carthage's median home value sits at $115,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.