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CITY

La Center

Kentucky · 858 residents (2025 est.) · 0.605 sq mi
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The short version

La Center has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,776. Population has fallen 33% since 2000, a loss of 344 residents. 17% 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 $92,300. With a median age of 50.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% 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
694
−33%since 2000
from 1,038 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,147 / sq mi
−33%since 2000
from 1,716 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.0
+18%since 2000
from 42.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:858 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6427989541K1K1990201020202024La Center
2024694
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,776
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,285
+70%since 2000
from $14,317 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.0%
+23.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.2%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.431
+7%since 2010
from 0.404 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,300
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$900
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $292 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
26.6% rent
Vacancy rate
16.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.2%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.6
−3%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in La Center on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(922)
Black9.1%(94)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(6)
Asian0.3%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.8%(237)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.4%(544)
Black13.8%(96)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other7.3%(51)
Diversity Score45.1%(313)
Diversity Score
45
+98%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.2%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.6%
+25.5 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+48%since 2000
from 14.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
14.5%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% 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
9.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−16.4 ptssince 2011
from 16.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.9%
−12.2 ptssince 2011
from 57.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.4%
−11.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.7%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2012
from 13.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.3%
−76.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.1%
+19.4 ptssince 2017
from 67.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+5.6 ptssince 2016
from 94.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare La Center to nearby cities

LA CENTER VS
Paducah
Income$49,915−12%
Home value$165,300+79%
Population26,730+3015%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA CENTER VS
Mayfield
Income$40,965−28%
Home value$112,500+22%
Population9,851+1048%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA CENTER VS
Cape Girardeau
Income$55,658−2%
Home value$196,300+113%
Population40,977+4676%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA CENTER VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+4%
Home value$168,800+83%
Population15,983+1763%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in La Center, Kentucky?

La Center, Kentucky has about 694 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in La Center, Kentucky?

The typical household in La Center, Kentucky earns about $56,776 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is La Center, Kentucky expensive?

In La Center, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $92,300, and the typical rent is about $900 a month.

How educated are people in La Center, Kentucky?

About 17.2% of adults age 25 and over in La Center, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in La Center, Kentucky?

About 27.2% of people in La Center, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has La Center, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, La Center, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 337 residents, a change of about -33 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 →