NEIGHBORHOOD
Central City
California · Los Angeles · 52,201 residents · 3.47 sq mi
The short version
Central City is a neighborhood of 52,201 people in Los Angeles. 22% of homes are owner-occupied. Four-year degrees are less common here than nationally, at 8% of adults. The foreign-born share is 44%. This skews young, with a median age of 32.9. Density works out to 15,026 people per square mile. These figures are approximated by combining the 15 census tracts that make up Central City; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
22% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
52,201
Population density
15,026 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
32.9
US average: 38.9
Land area
3.47 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$55,701
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$19,065
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.5%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.8%
Information11.6%
Finance & insurance7.7%
Wholesale trade7.7%
Professional, scientific, technical7.4%
Transportation & warehousing6.2%
Other services1.5%
Public administration0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
Construction0.6%
Education & health services0.2%
Manufacturing0%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$611,197
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,431
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
21.9%
78.1% rent
Vacancy rate
4.3%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
3.88 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
51.1%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.6%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
11.0
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic2.4%(1,275)
Black5.5%(2,895)
Hispanic / Latino89.3%(46,596)
Asian1.2%(633)
Other1.5%(802)
2024
White, non-Hispanic2.4%(1,275)
Black5.5%(2,895)
Hispanic / Latino89.3%(46,596)
Asian1.2%(633)
Other1.5%(802)
Diversity Score
25
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
8.4%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
47.7%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.9%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
31.7 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
55.8%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.9%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
14.7%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.3%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.6%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.1%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.3%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
11.2%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.3%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.9%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
17.3%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
50.8%
Female
49.2%
Foreign born
44.3%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.8%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.4%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.1%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.2%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
16.5%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
82.1%
US average: 13.6%
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Central City
East New York-New Lots
Pop 51,641
Flushing-Willets Point
Pop 61,079
Williamsbridge-Olinville
Pop 57,663
Downtown
Pop 53,855
Places similar to Central CityHead to head
Compare Central City side by side
CENTRAL CITY VS
East New York-New Lots
Income$58,120+4%
Home value$632,721+4%
Population51,641−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Flushing-Willets Point
Income$55,938same
Home value$547,605−10%
Population61,079+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Williamsbridge-Olinville
Income$57,656+4%
Home value$578,932−5%
Population57,663+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Downtown
Income$61,418+10%
Home value$781,722+28%
Population53,855+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Central City, Los Angeles, California?
Central City, Los Angeles, California has about 52,201 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Central City, Los Angeles, California?
The typical household in Central City, Los Angeles, California earns about $55,701 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Central City, Los Angeles, California expensive?
In Central City, Los Angeles, California, the median home is worth about $611,197, and the typical rent is about $1,431 a month.
How educated are people in Central City, Los Angeles, California?
About 8.4% of adults age 25 and over in Central City, Los Angeles, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Central City, Los Angeles, California?
About 26.5% of people in Central City, Los Angeles, California live below the federal poverty line.
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Containing area
Los AngelesDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024