Central is a neighborhood of 10,736 people in Raleigh. 19% of homes are owner-occupied. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. The median age is 31.1, younger than the US median of 38.9. Median home value sits at $631,837. There are 5,548 people per square mile. These figures are approximated by combining the 3 census tracts that make up Central; 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 31.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
19% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
10,736
Population density
5,548 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
31.1
US average: 38.9
Land area
1.94 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$77,095
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$73,775
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.4%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.1%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.520
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Information6.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food6.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade1.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$631,837
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,625
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
19.2%
80.8% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
1.61 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
15.0%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.3%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.2
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-Hispanic57.6%(6,181)
Black23.6%(2,530)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(887)
Asian4.1%(443)
Other6.5%(695)
2024
White, non-Hispanic57.6%(6,181)
Black23.6%(2,530)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(887)
Asian4.1%(443)
Other6.5%(695)
Diversity Score
75
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
