City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

South Carthage, TN

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

2,049
Residents
$47,610
Median income
$195,800
Median home
$1,051
Median rent (state)

South Carthage - the verdict

South Carthage ranks in the 16th percentile for household income and the 88th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
88th
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: South Carthage, TN

South Carthage is a small town in Tennessee, home to 2,049 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. South Carthage households earn a median of $47,610 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.8%. Home values in South Carthage run a median of $195,800, and the median resident age is 33.5 years. Educational attainment runs 19.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 71% from five years earlier. South Carthage reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 434.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Tennessee scores 91.9 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,051 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $218 across Tennessee, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 18.8 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,049 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$47,610 /yr

Poverty 22.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does South Carthage compare to other US cities?

South Carthage measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 88% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Tennessee and the picture shifts: South Carthage ranks #13 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Tennessee-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places South Carthage toward the top of Tennessee's cities

Among the 482 Tennessee cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, South Carthage ranks #66 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares South Carthage only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#319 of 458
30th percentile in Tennessee
Median Gross Rent
#231 of 482
51st percentile in Tennessee
Median Home Value
#194 of 455
57th percentile in Tennessee
Poverty Rate
#66 of 482
86th percentile in Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#191 of 482
60th percentile in Tennessee

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 Tennessee only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

16thIncome percentile
88thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 88th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Carthage's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South 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 57 Avg. percentile National median
South 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 South Carthage's home value compares nationally

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

$195,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South 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 - South Carthage, TN South Carthage, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Carthage, TN-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 South Carthage, TN median $47,610/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%
South Carthage, TN'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 South Carthage, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.9%

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

Population
2,049
Median Income
$47,610
Median Home Value
$195,800
Median Age
33.5
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Labor force participation
55.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
434.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
124.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
310.4
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,450 residents1,500 residents1,550 residents1,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,489 residents 1,576 residents ▲ +5.8%
South 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
0
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7
2020 20
2021 9
2022 22
2023 7
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.4%
Carpool
14.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
3.0%

Based on 857 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$218
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Tennessee 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 Tennessee state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county South Carthage sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,051/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
18.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Lakesite
2,026 people
Caryville
2,079 people
Dover
2,080 people
Greenfield
2,085 people
Estill Springs
2,008 people
Falling Water
2,090 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Carthage's 2,049 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Grove, FL
2,049 people
Oakley, KS
2,049 people
Tutwiler, MS
2,049 people
Hallsville, MO
2,049 people
Wrens, GA
2,048 people
Hudson, IL
2,048 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Carthage's $47,610 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Walnut Ridge, AR
$47,612 median income
Roann, IN
$47,614 median income
Alton, MO
$47,606 median income
Alpena, MI
$47,604 median income
Tryon, NC
$47,604 median income
Rogers City, MI
$47,601 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Carthage, TN 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 South Carthage, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.4% White 98.4% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.6% 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 South Carthage compares to nearby Tennessee cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
South Carthage (this city) 2,049 $47,610
Lakesite 2,026 $92,847
Caryville 2,079 $61,932
Dover 2,080 $72,616
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Carthage, TN?

What is the population of South Carthage, TN? +

2,049 people live in South Carthage, TN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Carthage, TN? +

South Carthage households earn a median of $47,610 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Carthage? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South Carthage; the closest available measure is the Tennessee state average, a cost of living index of 91.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Tennessee vary by metro area.

Is South Carthage, TN safe? +

South Carthage has a total crime rate of 434.5 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 South Carthage, TN? +

South Carthage's median home value sits at $195,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.