South Carthage, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

South Carthage is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 2,049. Residents earn $47,610 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,049 Population 800/sq mi density
$47,610 Median Income $24,535 per capita
$195,800 Home Value $260,879 Zillow
$832 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
75 Violent Crime/100K 2,483 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,610 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$195,800 home value, $832/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
75 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,610
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $195,800
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 75/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.7%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $832
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.8%
84% higher than US avg

How South Carthage Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,049
Median Age33.5 yrs
Density800/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,610
Per Capita$24,535
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty22.8%
County GDP$843M
Commute37 min

Housing

A
Home Value$195,800
Rent$832
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$260,879

Crime

F
Violent75/100K
Property2,483/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary677/100K

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.6%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain52.5 in/yr
Elevation566 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+87.5%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute37 min
Libraries2

Is South Carthage a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Carthage receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. South Carthage has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Carthage is $47,610, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 22.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Carthage is $195,800, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $832 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

South Carthage is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 75 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,483 per 100,000, 27% above the national average.

Education

19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

South Carthage enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

South Carthage has a population of 2,049 with a density of 800 people per square mile. The median age is 33.5 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.4%).

Population

2,049
Total Population
800
People / sq mi
33.5yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
2.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

South Carthage vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

South Carthage vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Carthage is $47,610, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: South Carthage vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,610
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,535
Avg Weekly Wage$1,023
IRS Avg AGI$66,092

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.8%
84% above US avg
Establishments (County)418
County GDP$843M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare30
Retail54
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,324
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.70%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.7 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in South Carthage is $195,800, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $832 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $260,879.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$195,800
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$260,879

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$832
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,324
5% below US avg
Effective Rate1.70%
In South Carthage, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.6% report depression. 30.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Carthage vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes12.6%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma11.8%
COPD10.1%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity30.2%
Depression32.6%
Mental Distress23.1%
Physical Distress16.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.3%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death12,786/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access34.1%
Healthcare Facilities30
South Carthage has a violent crime rate of 75 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,483 per 100,000 (27% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: South Carthage vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent75.2/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape75.2/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,483.1/100K
27% above US avg
Burglary677.2/100K
Theft1,655.4/100K
Vehicle Theft150.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Carthage has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.5 inches
38% above US avg
Snowfall1.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation566 ft (173 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density800/sq mi
Coordinates36.2397°N, 85.9575°W
County FIPS47159
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82%
D 17.1%

Winner: Republican by 64.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.7%
42% below US avg
High School+87.5%
School Test Score5.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density800/sq mi
Total Area2.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants28
Retail Stores54

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.7 min
Work from Home6.9%

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