With 22,779 people, Central is a neighborhood in Tacoma. There are 5,638 people per square mile. 57% of homes are owner-occupied. Median home value sits at $469,013. 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median household income is $83,902, close to the national figure. These figures are approximated by combining the 4 census tracts that make up Central; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
57% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
22,779
Population density
5,638 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
39.5
US average: 38.9
Land area
4.04 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$83,902
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$43,935
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.8%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.2%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.405
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$469,013
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,642
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.3%
42.7% rent
Vacancy rate
3.5%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.29 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
30.3%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.6%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.6
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-Hispanic55.7%(12,691)
Black11.3%(2,566)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(2,899)
Asian4.6%(1,037)
Other15.7%(3,586)
2024
White, non-Hispanic55.7%(12,691)
Black11.3%(2,566)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(2,899)
Asian4.6%(1,037)
Other15.7%(3,586)
Diversity Score
79
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
