Central City city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Central City city, Kentucky Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Central City city, Kentucky has a total population of 5,736, the 80th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $49,025, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.

Key Takeaways

Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.

Central City city Quick Facts

Population 5,736

Median Household Income $49,025

Median Home Value $140,700

Poverty Rate 24.7%

Unemployment Rate 6.1%

Median Age 36.0 years

Homeownership Rate 66.1%

Affordability Ratio 2.9x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 9.6%

High School Graduation Rate 82.3%

Diversity Index 20/100

Population 5,736 80th of 552

Median Income $49,025 below average

Poverty Rate 24.7% 99% higher national

Median Home Value $140,700 average

How Central City city Compares

Median Household Income

Central City city

$49,025

$62,417

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Central City city

$140,700

$192,300

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 23.9%

$25K-$50K 28.1%

$50K-$100K 26.9%

$100K+ 21.1%

Employment

6.1% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%

53.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.1%

Renter 33.9%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

25.7%

18-34

21.7%

35-54

28.4%

55-74

19.1%

75+

5.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Central City city Rankings in Kentucky

#80 Population of 552

#306 Median Income of 552

#410 Education of 552

#257 Home Value of 552

Explore Kentucky Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Central City city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Princeton city	6,242	$51,875	$89,700	19.3%	13.7%
Cynthiana city	6,412	$49,817	$154,700	13.7%	26.0%
Dayton city	5,703	$62,500	$144,100	24.4%	18.3%
Monticello city	5,741	$37,733	$125,800	11.7%	34.9%
Leitchfield city	6,434	$47,168	$156,700	10.9%	22.3%

Population Overview

Central City city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 5,736. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Central City city is 36.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Central City city is $49,025. This is 21% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 6.1%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $140,700. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Central City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Central City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Central City city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Central City city, Kentucky?

Central City city, Kentucky has a population of 5,736 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Central City city, KY?

The median household income in Central City city is $49,025, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Central City city, KY?

The poverty rate in Central City city is 24.7%. This means approximately 1,270 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Central City city, Kentucky?

Central City city's population is 89.0% White, 4.1% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Central City city, KY?

The median home value in Central City city is $140,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Central City city, Kentucky?

9.6% of adults (25+) in Central City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.