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CITY · 2020 ACS

Central

Tennessee · 2,114 residents · 3.522 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 $23,000. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 603 residents. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $126,400. With a median age of 48.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 58% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 48.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% 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
2,114
−22%since 2000
from 2,717 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
600 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 771 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
48.6
+25%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Central
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$23,000
−46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,598 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,259
+14%since 2000
from $16,893 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.5%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.4%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,400
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$570
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $387 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.5% in 2000
31.9% rent
Afford Score
5.5
+114%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Central on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.6%(2,679)
Black0.2%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(13)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(53)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.4%(1,933)
Black0.6%(13)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(29)
Asian0.8%(17)
Other2.2%(47)
Diversity Score12.6%(266)
Diversity Score
13
+550%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.8%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 68.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+39%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
92.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 90.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−15.6 ptssince 2011
from 15.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
42.3%
−19.7 ptssince 2011
from 61.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
13.3%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.2%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
55.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.6%
−67.9 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Central

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Pop 1,697
Franklin Park
Pop 1,688
Ocklawaha
Pop 1,586
Dunnellon
Pop 2,056
Places similar to Central
Head to head

Compare Central to nearby cities

CENTRAL VS
Elizabethton
Income$46,975+104%
Home value$172,900+37%
Population14,350+640%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL VS
Johnson City
Income$57,254+149%
Home value$268,200+112%
Population74,943+3767%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL VS
Bristol
Income$58,162+153%
Home value$194,500+54%
Population28,107+1350%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL VS
Kingsport
Income$52,490+128%
Home value$234,100+85%
Population57,530+2869%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Central, Tennessee?

Central, Tennessee has about 2,114 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Central, Tennessee?

The typical household in Central, Tennessee earns about $23,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Central, Tennessee expensive?

In Central, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $126,400, and the typical rent is about $570 a month.

How educated are people in Central, Tennessee?

About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Central, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Central, Tennessee?

About 25.4% of people in Central, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Central, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Central, Tennessee has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 521 residents, a change of about -20 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 →