Central, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central, Louisiana had a total population of 29,783, the 14th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $89,554, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Louisiana.
- 35.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Central Quick Facts
How Central 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 | 29,603 | 29,783 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $90,091 | $89,554 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $270,700 | $288,700 | +6.6% |
How Central 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: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Central Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in East Baton Rouge Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | $49,994 | 25.7% | $234,700 |
| Zachary | 19,952 | $84,480 | 8.5% | $259,100 |
| Shenandoah | 17,998 | $107,021 | 8.2% | $331,100 |
| Baker | 12,253 | $54,750 | 29.8% | $157,900 |
| Gardere | 12,223 | $55,409 | 35.3% | $243,300 |
| Merrydale | 9,490 | $41,500 | 30.0% | $136,100 |
| Oak Hills Place | 9,038 | $92,306 | 7.2% | $437,900 |
| Village St. George | 8,273 | $96,364 | 5.1% | $252,900 |
| Old Jefferson | 7,860 | $92,075 | 8.8% | $239,700 |
| Inniswold | 6,357 | $102,337 | 12.6% | $349,600 |
Cities Similar to Central
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell | 28,561 | $70,497 | $217,700 | 31.4% | 15.7% |
| Laplace | 28,343 | $69,030 | $199,900 | 19.6% | 13.1% |
| Prairieville | 35,238 | $104,923 | $317,400 | 37.8% | 4.6% |
| Houma | 32,392 | $58,194 | $205,900 | 23.8% | 16.3% |
| New Iberia | 27,571 | $47,087 | $158,300 | 17.3% | 26.7% |
Population Overview
Central is a mid-sized community located in Louisiana, within East Baton Rouge Parish. The total population is 29,783. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central is 40.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Central is $89,554. This is 47% higher than the state median of $60,756. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $288,700. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 88.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Central is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.8%. The Black or African American population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 30.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
35.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Central in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Louisiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Central, Louisiana?
Central, Louisiana has a population of 29,783 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central, LA?
The median household income in Central is $89,554, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central, LA?
The poverty rate in Central is 5.4%. This means approximately 1,602 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central, Louisiana?
Central's population is 79.1% White, 9.8% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central, LA?
The median home value in Central is $288,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Central, Louisiana?
35.3% of adults (25+) in Central hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.