Carthage is a town in and the county seat of Smith County, Tennessee, United States; it is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, Carthage had a population of 2,291. It is located on the Cumberland River, which was important to its early development. It is best known as the hometown of former U.S. Vice President and Senator Al Gore of the Democratic Party 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. The Smith County seat on the Cumberland River, about 55 miles east of downtown Nashville. A historic river town with a courthouse square, it anchors the eastern edge of the MSA — commuters head to Lebanon, Cookeville, or Nashville.
Smith County Courthouse in Carthage, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The courthouse was built by Henry Jackson in 1879 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0Battery Knob, overlooking Carthage, Tennessee, USA, viewed from South Carthage. This hill was the location of a Civil War-era Union artillery battery that controlled traffic along the Cumberland River. The Smith County Courthouse is visible on the far right, next to the church.Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0The mouth of the Caney Fork along the Cumberland River in Carthage, Tennessee , United States. The Caney Fork is to the right of the white sign, while the Cumberland is visible in the lower left-hand corner of the photo. This view is from the Highway 25 (Gordonsville Highway) bridge over the CPhoto: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0
Home prices in Carthage
Home prices in Carthage vary by neighborhood and property type.
Top places in Carthage
Historic downtown Carthage and the Smith County Courthouse square.
The Cumberland River
Smith County Heritage Museum
Nearby Cordell Hull Lake (~30 min)
Commuting from Carthage
Approximate drive to downtown Nashville: 65–80 minutes (about 55 miles, via I-40).
Nearest commuter hub: Lebanon (~25 min west). No transit service.
Schools in Carthage
Public schools: Smith County School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Carthage FAQs
What is the housing market like in Carthage, TN? Home prices in Carthage vary by neighborhood and property type.
How is the commute from Carthage, TN? Approximate drive to downtown Nashville: 65–80 minutes (about 55 miles, via I-40).
Which school district serves Carthage, TN? Carthage is served by Smith County School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
