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CITY

Central City

Arkansas · 469 residents (2025 est.) · 2.224 sq mi
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The short version

Central City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $69,583. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $134,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
627
+18%since 2000
from 531 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
282 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 239 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
Unchangedsince 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:469 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3914835766687601990201020202024Central City
2024627
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$69,583
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,173 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,518
+92%since 2000
from $15,892 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.4%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 32.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.1%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.370
−25%since 2010
from 0.493 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance9.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Information5.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$134,700
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,141
+67%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
90.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
9.6% rent
Vacancy rate
0.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.6%
+30.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+7%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
24
RELATED:See current rent listings in Central City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(508)
Black1.5%(8)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(9)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.9%(42)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(557)
Black0.5%(3)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(39)
Asian1.4%(9)
Other3%(19)
Diversity Score25.7%(161)
Diversity Score
26
+226%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+15.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.1 min
+31%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.3%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 94.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.1%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 72.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.5%
−53.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
55.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
17.2%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 23.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.5%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.1%
+19.6 ptssince 2017
from 62.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.3%
+5.2 ptssince 2016
from 91.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
−5.1 ptssince 2016
from 8.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Central City to nearby cities

CENTRAL CITY VS
Fort Smith
Income$54,816−21%
Home value$178,100+32%
Population90,855+19272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Greenwood
Income$66,844−4%
Home value$182,900+36%
Population9,793+1988%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Van Buren
Income$61,149−12%
Home value$181,500+35%
Population24,556+5136%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Poteau
Income$50,511−27%
Home value$157,400+17%
Population9,171+1855%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Central City, Arkansas?

Central City, Arkansas has about 627 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Central City, Arkansas?

The typical household in Central City, Arkansas earns about $69,583 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Central City, Arkansas expensive?

In Central City, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $134,700, and the typical rent is about $1,141 a month.

How educated are people in Central City, Arkansas?

About 12.4% of adults age 25 and over in Central City, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Central City, Arkansas?

About 11.1% of people in Central City, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Central City, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Central City, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 205 residents, a change of about 49 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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