Central City, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central City, Arkansas had a total population of 627, the 267th largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $69,583, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Central City Quick Facts
How Central City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 570 | 627 | +10.0% |
| Median household income | $71,071 | $69,583 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $123,000 | $134,700 | +9.5% |
How Central City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Central City Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Sebastian County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | 18.3% | $178,100 |
| Greenwood | 9,616 | $66,844 | 10.0% | $182,900 |
| Barling | 5,007 | $54,387 | 15.1% | $140,000 |
| Lavaca | 2,489 | $80,924 | 5.9% | $162,300 |
| Mansfield | 1,204 | $53,068 | 23.5% | $113,500 |
| Hackett | 1,118 | $44,081 | 18.7% | $136,700 |
| Bonanza | 711 | $63,631 | 13.2% | $133,300 |
| Hartford | 496 | $45,341 | 24.9% | $83,700 |
| Huntington | 468 | $35,833 | 23.7% | $45,600 |
| Midland | 262 | $36,461 | 22.5% | $64,300 |
Cities Similar to Central City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desha | 679 | $68,403 | $117,600 | 16.9% | 17.1% |
| Taylor | 593 | $64,659 | $106,700 | 20.8% | 8.1% |
| Kirby | 579 | $66,607 | $163,700 | 27.0% | 11.9% |
| Junction City | 564 | N/A | $111,300 | 8.9% | 9.9% |
| Tull | 596 | $61,125 | $160,400 | 15.4% | 15.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 627, Central City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Central City is a small community located in Arkansas, within Sebastian County. The total population is 627. It ranks as the 267th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central City is 41.1 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Central City is $69,583. This is 14% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $134,700. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Central City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Central City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.2%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 25.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central City, Arkansas 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 Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. 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 Central City, Arkansas?
Central City, Arkansas has a population of 627 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central City, AR?
The median household income in Central City is $69,583, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central City, AR?
The poverty rate in Central City is 11.1%. This means approximately 69 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central City, Arkansas?
Central City's population is 88.8% White, 0.5% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central City, AR?
The median home value in Central City is $134,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Central City, Arkansas?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Central City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.