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CITY · 2020 ACS

Central

South Carolina · 5,247 residents · 3.251 sq mi
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The short version

Central has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,233. Population has grown 49% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,500. At a median age of 24.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 34.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 24.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,247
+49%since 2000
from 3,522 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,614 / sq mi
+49%since 2000
from 1,083 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
24.0
−1%since 2000
from 24.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K4K5K6K1990201020202024Central
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,233
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,869 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,977
+18%since 2000
from $14,394 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
8.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
34.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 29.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Other services1.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,500
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$693
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $513 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
24.8%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 32.9% in 2000
75.2% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+15%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Central on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.8%(2,741)
Black15.1%(531)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(152)
Asian1.8%(63)
Other0%
Diversity Score44.6%(1,570)
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.3%(3,375)
Black17.4%(911)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(387)
Asian5.8%(305)
Other12.6%(660)
Diversity Score74.3%(3,897)
Diversity Score
74
+67%since 2000
from 45 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 30.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+54%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.2%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 66.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.0%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
59.0%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.0%
−79.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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CENTRAL VS
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CENTRAL VS
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CENTRAL VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Central, South Carolina?

Central, South Carolina has about 5,247 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Central, South Carolina?

The typical household in Central, South Carolina earns about $31,233 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Central, South Carolina expensive?

In Central, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $112,500, and the typical rent is about $693 a month.

How educated are people in Central, South Carolina?

About 37.2% of adults age 25 and over in Central, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Central, South Carolina?

About 34.9% of people in Central, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Central, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Central, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,570 residents, a change of about 96 percent over that period.

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

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