Centralia, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Centralia, Missouri had a total population of 4,690, the 156th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $66,438, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Centralia Quick Facts
How Centralia 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 | 4,615 | 4,690 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $51,868 | $66,438 | +28.1% |
| Median home value | $165,600 | $174,300 | +5.3% |
How Centralia 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Centralia Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Boone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 128,548 | $66,498 | 19.3% | $284,600 |
| Ashland | 4,914 | $93,143 | 4.1% | $258,500 |
| Hallsville | 1,927 | $71,000 | 11.9% | $214,800 |
| Sturgeon | 1,035 | $76,250 | 4.1% | $146,500 |
| Harrisburg | 312 | $68,906 | 11.0% | $206,700 |
| Rocheport | 231 | $57,083 | 10.0% | $223,300 |
| Clark | 200 | $71,250 | 21.0% | $131,300 |
| Hartsburg | 109 | $46,250 | 10.1% | $168,800 |
| Pierpont | 64 | $88,750 | 3.1% | $325,000 |
| Huntsdale | 11 | N/A | 9.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Centralia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal City | 4,718 | $72,598 | $185,800 | 14.5% | 11.4% |
| California | 4,509 | $63,864 | $152,700 | 15.2% | 11.6% |
| Platte City | 4,824 | $71,498 | $210,800 | 24.1% | 10.3% |
| Rogersville | 4,908 | $70,485 | $217,900 | 31.0% | 10.9% |
| Dellwood | 4,847 | $72,540 | $83,700 | 22.0% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Centralia is a small community located in Missouri, within Boone County. The total population is 4,690. It ranks as the 156th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Centralia is 40.9 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Centralia is $66,438. This is 6% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $174,300. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Centralia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Centralia has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Centralia, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Centralia, Missouri?
Centralia, Missouri has a population of 4,690 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Centralia, MO?
The median household income in Centralia is $66,438, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Centralia, MO?
The poverty rate in Centralia is 11.9%. This means approximately 542 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Centralia, Missouri?
Centralia's population is 86.6% White, 0.1% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Centralia, MO?
The median home value in Centralia is $174,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Centralia, Missouri?
33.5% of adults (25+) in Centralia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.