The current poverty rate in Carrolltown, PA is 10.8%. While the state of Pennsylvania has a higher poverty rate than most cities, Carrolltown's is slightly higher. This means that fewer people are living below the federal poverty level. This is a significant indicator of how well-off a community is. While a high poverty rate is a sign of a healthy community, a low poverty rate may indicate that a community needs some improvements.
The first post office in Carrolltown opened in 1878. The community had 500 residents in 1882. There were four cotton gins, two churches, and two schools. At that time, the city exported cotton and grain. The city began moving toward the modern age with the establishment of a telephone company in 1890. The town also had a private power plant in 1913. In 1924, the city's annual cotton production reached 300 bales.
The downtown area includes the Historic District, which is a collection of about five thousand properties. This area extends from the Mississippi River eastwards to the Earhart Boulevard intersection. The area was not drained until the early 20th century, so initial development took place closer to the river. In the 1910s, private residential parks were developed. These were part of a speculative street grid that served the community.
The median age of the city's residents is 33 years old. Twenty-nine percent of residents are under the age of 18, while 10.8% are between the ages of 25 and 44. Twenty-seven percent of households contain single parents, and 8.2% are seniors. The median family size is two-and-a-half people, which means that the city is an average-sized community. In addition, there are very few vacancies, meaning that most homes are occupied.