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CITY

Centralia

Illinois · 11,863 residents (2025 est.) · 8.2 sq mi
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The short version

Centralia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,807. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 2,280 residents. 16% 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 $89,600. The poverty rate of 24.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% 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
11,856
−16%since 2000
from 14,136 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,446 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,724 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.1
−1%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:11,863 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
12K12K13K14K15K1990201020202024Centralia
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,807
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,905 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,963
+57%since 2000
from $17,174 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.0%
+17.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.3%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
+2%since 2010
from 0.439 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,600
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$765
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.5%
−6.9 ptssince 2000
from 69.4% in 2000
37.5% rent
Vacancy rate
10.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+24%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
38
RELATED:See current rent listings in Centralia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(12,128)
Black10.3%(1,456)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(170)
Asian0.7%(103)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.8%(3,936)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(9,562)
Black6.9%(820)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(466)
Asian1.6%(194)
Other6.9%(814)
Diversity Score42.3%(5,013)
Diversity Score
42
+52%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.4%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+55%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 13.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 55.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.3%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.3%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2012
from 22.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.5%
−82.1 ptssince 2013
from 88.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.1%
+13.6 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Centralia to nearby cities

CENTRALIA VS
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Income$55,357+16%
Home value$99,800+11%
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CENTRALIA VS
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Home value$202,900+126%
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CENTRALIA VS
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CENTRALIA VS
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Income$99,573+108%
Home value$274,000+206%
Population14,604+23%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Centralia, Illinois?

Centralia, Illinois has about 11,856 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Centralia, Illinois?

The typical household in Centralia, Illinois earns about $47,807 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Centralia, Illinois expensive?

In Centralia, Illinois, the median home is worth about $89,600, and the typical rent is about $765 a month.

How educated are people in Centralia, Illinois?

About 16.4% of adults age 25 and over in Centralia, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Centralia, Illinois?

About 24.3% of people in Centralia, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Centralia, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Centralia, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,414 residents, a change of about -17 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →