Town in Panola County
Living in Carthage, TX
367th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 50 of 100
Carthage earns a grade of C+ on our index, 367th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on safety and home ownership.
- Short commutes
- Safety scores low (15 of 100)
- Education levels scores low (16 of 100)
- Population
- 6,640+1.2% since 2020
- Median rent
- $79743% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $164,20042% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $51,250Median
- Average commute
- 19 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 389Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Carthage
Carthage is a town in Panola County. 6,640 people lived here in 2025, up 1.2% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.
Local spots people know include Davis Park, Jonathan Anderson Memorial Park and The Old Jail Library.
The median age is 39.9, 34% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $51,250 a year (35% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Carthage
- Lower rent. Median rent is $797, 43% lower than the Texas median.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 19 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Carthage
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.
Who Carthage suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 35% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 35% lower than the Texas median, with 45 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 68% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 16% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $797 is 43% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $797 is 43% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for people on a budget.
Carthage report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Carthage with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade B
Median rent $797, homes cost 3.2x income.
67 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade C
Median household income $51,250, 3.2% unemployed.
41 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B
6 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.
66 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade D-
389 violent crimes per 100k, 1,318 property crimes per 100k.
16 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade B-
2 grocery stores, 45 restaurants, 7 parks mapped in town.
60 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade B-
Average commute 19 min, 7.8% work from home.
59 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
15% have a bachelor’s degree.
16 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
16% of adults uninsured.
17 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D-
64% of homes owner-occupied.
16 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C+
90% of homes have broadband.
51 of 100 vs US towns
Where Carthage stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $79743% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Average commute: 19 min28% lower than Texas (27 min)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 42%10 points lower than Texas (52%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $51,25035% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Vacant homes: 17%7 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
Cost of living in Carthage
Carthage renters pay a median of $797 a month, 43% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $32,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 42% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $810 for a one-bedroom, $1,060 for a two-bedroom and $1,281 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $164,200, 42% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $899 before tax, or $1,041 with property tax. That is $244 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.
Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Carthage pays $1,709 a year, 60% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent43% lower than Texas | $797 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value42% lower than Texas | $164,200 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income11% lower than Texas | 3.2x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent10 points lower than Texas | 42% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year60% lower than Texas | $1,709 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them2 points higher than Texas | 64% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1977 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $899
- Property tax
- $142
- Median rent, for comparison
- $797
Based on a $164,200 home in Carthage, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Carthage safe?
In 2025, Carthage Police Department reported 26 violent crimes and 88 property crimes. That works out to 389 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate of 387, and 1,318 property crimes per 100,000, 37% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 34% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Carthage Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Carthage
Carthage has 6 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Panola Charter School and Carthage ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Panola Early College High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 84 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- APanola Early College High SchoolHigh, Panola Charter School97 of 100
- BCarthage High SchoolHigh, Carthage ISD86 of 100
- BCarthage PriElementary, Carthage ISD83 of 100
- BLibby ElementaryElementary, Carthage ISD83 of 100
- CCarthage Junior HighMiddle, Carthage ISD78 of 100
Daily life in Carthage
Everyday places mapped inside Carthage, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Davis Park, Jonathan Anderson Memorial Park, The Old Jail Library.
The average one-way commute is 19 minutes, 28% shorter than the Texas average. 8% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
The median household income is $51,250, income per person is $33,058, unemployment is 3.2% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income35% lower than Texas | $51,250 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person19% lower than Texas | $33,058 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas | 3.2% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line3 points lower than Texas | 11% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas | 15% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points lower than Texas | 83% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance4 points lower than Texas | 16% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas | 90% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute28% lower than Texas | 19 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas | 7.8% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Carthage
Median age 39.9 years. 34% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Carthage
Carthage has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 89 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 52 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Carthage, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsVery high
- Strong windVery high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Carthage
Nearby, Tatum gets a C, Tenaha gets a D+ and Timpson gets a C. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
Living in Carthage: common questions
Is Carthage, TX a good place to live?
Carthage earns a grade of C+ on our index, 367th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on safety and home ownership.
How much does it cost to live in Carthage?
Renters in Carthage pay a median of $797 a month, 43% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $164,200, 42% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.2x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,041, including property tax.
Is Carthage safe?
In 2025, Carthage Police Department reported 389 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,318 per 100,000, 37% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Carthage?
We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Carthage. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 66 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Carthage flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Carthage as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Carthage?
Summers in Carthage peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 89 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 52 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Carthage?
The average one-way commute is 19 min, 28% lower than the Texas average. About 7.8% of workers work from home.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.