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CITY

Central City

Nebraska · 3,184 residents (2025 est.) · 2.436 sq mi
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The short version

Central City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,229. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% 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 $165,300. Poverty is rare here, at 4.1% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,061
+2%since 2000
from 2,998 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,257 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 1,231 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,184 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Central City
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,229
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,178 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,108
+143%since 2000
from $16,943 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.7%
+31.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.494
+35%since 2010
from 0.366 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$165,300
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$677
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $398 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.9%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
26.1% rent
Vacancy rate
6.6%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.8%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+23%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Central City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(2,923)
Black0.4%(11)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(39)
Asian0.3%(9)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.9%(146)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(2,669)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(151)
Asian1.9%(57)
Other6%(184)
Diversity Score29.2%(893)
Diversity Score
29
+499%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.3%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.0%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+26%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.9%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 4.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 63.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.3%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.1%
−19.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−43.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2012
from 17.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−83.2 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.5%
+24.7 ptssince 2017
from 63.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.1%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Central City to nearby cities

CENTRAL CITY VS
Grand Island
Income$63,795−13%
Home value$218,600+32%
Population53,943+1594%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
York
Income$63,265−14%
Home value$180,900+9%
Population8,284+160%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Columbus
Income$64,626−12%
Home value$213,600+29%
Population25,248+693%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Hastings
Income$64,048−13%
Home value$184,700+12%
Population25,121+689%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Central City, Nebraska?

Central City, Nebraska has about 3,061 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Central City, Nebraska earns about $73,229 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Central City, Nebraska expensive?

In Central City, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $165,300, and the typical rent is about $677 a month.

How educated are people in Central City, Nebraska?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Central City, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Central City, Nebraska?

About 4.1% of people in Central City, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Central City, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Central City, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 193 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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