Carthage, Tennessee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carthage is a town in Smith County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,251 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Smith County^GR6, and perhaps best-known as the hometown of former Vice President Al Gore, and his father, Senator Albert Gore, Sr. The younger Gore announced his 1988 and 2000 presidential bids, as well as his 1992 vice-presidential bid, from the steps of the Smith County Courthouse.

[edit] Geography

Carthage is located at 36°15′18″N, 85°56′57″W (36.254960, -85.949211)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,251 people, 952 households, and 560 families residing in the town. The population density was 302.8/km² (784.5/mi²). There were 1,050 housing units at an average density of 141.3/km² (365.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.67% White, 6.53% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.76% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 952 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 80.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $32,159. Males had a median income of $30,531 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,709. About 18.6% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.