[4] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,260 people, 11,139 households, and 7,497 families residing in the county.

25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone, who was 65 years of age or older.

The Western District (Eureka Springs and Beaver) tilts Democratic despite the fact that Holiday Island, a community with a large percentage of relocated snowbirds in the Western District, is overwhelmingly Republican.

In presidential elections, Carroll County has voted for the Democratic candidate only twice since 1952.

Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries.

However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions").

Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications.