A Mill Creek Valley community, Carthage is seven miles north of downtown Cincinnati. The area was settled around 1790 with Jacob White’s Station, a blockhouse built at the third Mill Creek crossing. The area was rural throughout most of the 19th century and was incorporated in 1861. Carthage became part of Cincinnati in 1911. Horse racing was popular for this community and meets were featured at the Carthage Fair Grounds (now the Hamilton County Fairgrounds) until the 1960s.

Carthage is an older, urban neighborhood with many homes built from the early 1900s-1930s. In recent times some new affordable homes have been constructed in the community. Home styles range from cape cods, to brick two stories to shot-gun style homes. Cincinnati Housing Partners is a Non-Profit With Very Direct Goals and is active in the community to revitalize neglected homes.

Carthage is centrally located in greater Cincinnati. Interstate 75 is within minutes to take drives north and south. The Norwood Lateral connects motorists to the eastern side of Cincinnati and to Interstate 71. It is a 15-minute drive to downtown Cincinnati. Cincinnati buses service the area.

"Bethesda North Hospital" – a Level III Trauma Center – is a 20-minute drive away, with well-used emergency room facilities. "Jewish Hospital Kenwood" is also located within 20 minutes drive time and is located in Sycamore Township. This hospital features a state-of-the-art patient tower as well as a 24-hour emergency department. It also offers the region’s only adult Blood & Marrow Transplant Center.

Other Cincinnati area hospitals, such as The Christ Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, University Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center are located within a 25-minute drive.

Along Vine Street in Carthage, there are several locally run shops and restaurants. Cretan’s Grill has been in business for decades. A 15-minute drive and one can shop at either the Kenwood Towne Centre or Tri-County Mall with many national brand stores including Nortstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney and Dillard’s. Rookwood Commons and Pavilion shopping center are 10 minutes away in Norwood and offer many convenient stores and restaurants.

The Community Center (formerly Carthage Elementary School) houses the Seniors of Carthage and the Carthage Community Gardens. A fitness room is available for members. Carthage has two parks: Caldwell Playground and Caldwell Nature Center. The nature center has an amphitheater and 3.5 miles of nature trails. The playground features a spray park for the wamer months.

The Carthage Civic League is very active and meets monthly. Founded in 1937, it is one of the oldest community councils in Cincinnati. This group of citizens and business owners are in charge of neighborhood beautification flower pots along Vine Street, a Community Day, as well as other projects in the community.