Central is a neighborhood of 26,520 people in Arlington. 25% of homes are owner-occupied. The median age is 28.6, younger than the US median of 38.9. 30.6% of people here live below the federal poverty line. The foreign-born share is 32%. Density works out to 4,948 people per square mile. These figures are approximated by combining the 7 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 28.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
25% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
26,520
Population density
4,948 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
28.6
US average: 38.9
Land area
5.36 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$50,348
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$23,372
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.2%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.6%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.481
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade11.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Information8.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$260,334
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,287
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
25.2%
74.8% rent
Vacancy rate
14.2%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.43 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
18.5%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.6%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.2
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-Hispanic30.3%(8,027)
Black15.5%(4,110)
Hispanic / Latino37.2%(9,867)
Asian14.9%(3,942)
Other2.2%(574)
2024
White, non-Hispanic30.3%(8,027)
Black15.5%(4,110)
Hispanic / Latino37.2%(9,867)
Asian14.9%(3,942)
Other2.2%(574)
Diversity Score
90
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
