Centre, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Centre, Alabama had a total population of 3,700, the 148th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $44,664, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Centre Quick Facts
How Centre Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,525 | 3,700 | +5.0% |
| Median household income | $44,629 | $44,664 | No clear change (+0.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $172,422 | $158,400 | No clear change (-8.1%) |
| Median gross rent | $746 | $594 | -20.4% |
How Centre Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 88.4%
- Black: 7.5%
- Hispanic: 0.8%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 31.7%
- HS Diploma: 26.7%
- Some College: 18.8%
- Associate's: 9.5%
- Bachelor's: 7.9%
- Graduate+: 5.5%
Centre Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Bluff | 1,629 | $52,500 | 29.3% | $204,800 |
| Leesburg | 998 | $56,875 | 10.8% | $182,500 |
| Broomtown | 279 | N/A | 44.8% | N/A |
| Spring Garden | 201 | $60,919 | 0.0% | $9,999 |
| Gaylesville | 151 | $45,625 | 15.2% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Centre
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomasville | 3,619 | $42,671 | $116,000 | 8.8% | 20.2% |
| Holt | 3,629 | $48,675 | $126,900 | 6.7% | 20.7% |
| Citronelle | 3,913 | $43,870 | $193,500 | 12.1% | 22.5% |
| Elba | 3,468 | $44,792 | $114,500 | 11.7% | 23.8% |
| Heflin | 3,467 | $46,711 | $171,700 | 15.8% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Centre is a small community located in Alabama, within Cherokee County. The total population is 3,700. It ranks as the 148th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Centre is 59.3 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 10.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 25.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Centre is $44,664. This is 30% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $158,400. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Centre has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.5%. The Black or African American population (7.5%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 68.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Centre, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Centre, Alabama?
Centre, Alabama has a population of 3,700 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Centre, AL?
The median household income in Centre is $44,664, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Centre, AL?
The poverty rate in Centre is 21.1%. This means approximately 728 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Centre, Alabama?
Centre's population is 88.4% White, 7.5% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Centre, AL?
The median home value in Centre is $158,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Centre, Alabama?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Centre hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.