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CITY

Centralia

Missouri · 4,767 residents (2025 est.) · 2.912 sq mi
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The short version

Centralia has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,438. Population has grown 24% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $174,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.9
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 52%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,690
+24%since 2000
from 3,774 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,611 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 1,296 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.9
+14%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,767 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Centralia
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,438
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,475 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,937
+70%since 2000
from $17,583 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.9%
+16.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.9%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.390
+15%since 2010
from 0.339 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services12.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information10.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration9.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$174,300
+52%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$685
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.0% in 2000
28.2% rent
Vacancy rate
7.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.9%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 36.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+44%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
73
RELATED:See current rent listings in Centralia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(3,649)
Black1.1%(43)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(31)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.1%(192)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(4,060)
Black0.1%(5)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(161)
Asian0%(0)
Other9.9%(464)
Diversity Score30%(1,405)
Diversity Score
30
+489%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
+20.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 82.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+64%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.8%
−17.8 ptssince 2009
from 86.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.3%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.0%
−11.5 ptssince 2011
from 68.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.8%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.6%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.9%
+7.1 ptssince 2012
from 12.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.5%
−79.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
+25.9 ptssince 2017
from 66.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2016
from 97.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Centralia to nearby cities

CENTRALIA VS
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Home value$139,800−20%
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CENTRALIA VS
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CENTRALIA VS
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CENTRALIA VS
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Income$51,429−23%
Home value$155,900−11%
Population12,853+170%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Centralia, Missouri?

Centralia, Missouri has about 4,690 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Centralia, Missouri?

The typical household in Centralia, Missouri earns about $66,438 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Centralia, Missouri expensive?

In Centralia, Missouri, the median home is worth about $174,300, and the typical rent is about $685 a month.

How educated are people in Centralia, Missouri?

About 33.5% of adults age 25 and over in Centralia, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Centralia, Missouri?

About 11.9% of people in Centralia, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Centralia, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Centralia, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,276 residents, a change of about 37 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 →