Central City, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central City, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,105, the 944th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,813, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
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 | 1,055 | 1,105 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $46,563 | $47,813 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $72,700 | $67,400 | -7.3% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Central City Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Somerset County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 5,944 | $47,102 | 17.2% | $163,600 |
| Windber | 3,860 | $52,438 | 13.9% | $99,000 |
| Berlin | 2,481 | $56,574 | 7.2% | $117,900 |
| Meyersdale | 2,103 | $65,772 | 10.0% | $103,800 |
| Boswell | 1,153 | $52,500 | 13.7% | $82,800 |
| Jennerstown | 1,115 | $64,801 | 9.8% | $193,600 |
| Friedens | 1,018 | $57,697 | 4.5% | $163,300 |
| Paint | 842 | $44,167 | 11.2% | $93,800 |
| Davidsville | 826 | N/A | 7.5% | $215,200 |
| Rockwood | 793 | $52,000 | 14.1% | $90,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinglehouse | 1,076 | $47,315 | $78,400 | 18.7% | 9.0% |
| Bobtown | 1,066 | $48,233 | $63,500 | 15.4% | 22.7% |
| Clymer | 1,106 | $44,044 | $78,000 | 17.3% | 18.3% |
| Chevy Chase Heights | 1,101 | $51,930 | $136,800 | 28.8% | 23.0% |
| Waymart | 1,114 | $51,544 | $193,600 | 14.4% | 21.1% |
Population Overview
Central City is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Somerset County. The total population is 1,105. It ranks as the 944th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central City is 44.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 11.5% 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 Central City is $47,813. This is 39% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $67,400. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Central City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Central City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central City, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Central City, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,105 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central City, PA?
The median household income in Central City is $47,813, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central City, PA?
The poverty rate in Central City is 16.9%. This means approximately 187 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central City, Pennsylvania?
Central City's population is 98.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central City, PA?
The median home value in Central City is $67,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Central City, Pennsylvania?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Central City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.