City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Carthage, MO

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.

15,513
Residents
$50,849
Median income
$133,500
Median home
$947
Median rent (state)

Carthage - the verdict

Nationally, Carthage sits in the 21st percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
47th
percentile, safety
📝 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, MO

15,513 people live in Carthage, Missouri - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $50,849 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.8%. Typical homes in Carthage are valued around $133,500, and the median resident age is 31.0 years. Educational attainment runs 23.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 97 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 56% from five years earlier. Carthage reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1459.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 58.3°F.

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Missouri scores 90.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $947 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Missouri's average monthly utility costs around $219 (state average). Commute times here average 14.5 minutes, with 74.1% driving alone and 8.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 85.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

15,513 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$50,849 /yr

Poverty 27.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Carthage compare to other US cities?

Here's how Carthage stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Missouri alone, Carthage ranks #122 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Carthage's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Missouri, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

21stIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carthage's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carthage's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 51 Avg. percentile National median
Carthage's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Carthage's home value compares nationally

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

$133,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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, MO Carthage, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carthage, MO-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, MO median $50,849/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, MO'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, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.6%

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

Population
15,513
Median Income
$50,849
Median Home Value
$133,500
Median Age
31.0
Poverty Rate
27.8%
Labor force participation
57.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1459.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
173.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1286.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,400 residents15,600 residents15,800 residents16,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,580 residents 15,895 residents ▲ +2.0%
Carthage's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
97
housing units authorized
Single-Family
41
detached homes
Multifamily
56
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 62
2020 74
2021 27
2022 98
2023 65
2024 97

Permit volume increased 56% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.5 minutes
Drive Alone
74.1%
Carpool
14.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.1%
Work from Home
8.1%
Other
1.3%

Based on 6,355 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri 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 Missouri 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
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$947/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Jackson
15,532 people
Fort Leonard Wood
15,317 people
Overland
15,762 people
Lebanon
15,157 people
Grain Valley
15,967 people
Washington
14,948 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carthage's 15,513 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake Stickney, WA
15,514 people
Andover, KS
15,508 people
Yulee, FL
15,521 people
Yankton, SD
15,501 people
Tanque Verde, AZ
15,531 people
Greeneville, TN
15,531 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carthage's $50,849 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lee Acres, NM
$50,846 median income
Mount Sterling, KY
$50,843 median income
Austintown, OH
$50,855 median income
Maplewood Park, OH
$50,855 median income
Parsons, KS
$50,838 median income
Houghton Lake, MI
$50,861 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carthage, MO 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, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.8% 8.0% 11.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 36.4% White 76.8% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 0.8% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.0% Two or more races 11.7% 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 Missouri 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) 15,513 $50,849
Jackson 15,532 $80,435
Fort Leonard Wood 15,317 $68,629
Overland 15,762 $57,755
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carthage, MO?

What is the population of Carthage, MO? +

15,513 people live in Carthage, MO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Carthage, the typical household earns $50,849 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 Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Carthage, MO safe? +

Carthage has a total crime rate of 1459.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Homes in Carthage carry a median value of $133,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Carthage? +

Carthage has an average annual temperature of 58.3°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.