Center, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Center, Texas had a total population of 5,271, the 418th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $48,293, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Texas (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Center Quick Facts
How Center Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,250 | 5,271 | No clear change (+0.4%) |
| Median household income | $42,468 | $48,293 | No clear change (+13.7%) |
| Median home value¹ | $88,488 | $83,300 | No clear change (-5.9%) |
| Median gross rent | $686 | $823 | No clear change (+20.1%) |
How Center Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 37.7%
- Black: 29.8%
- Hispanic: 25.1%
- Asian: 0.2%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 13.2%
- HS Diploma: 45.1%
- Some College: 25.7%
- Associate's: 3.6%
- Bachelor's: 8.1%
- Graduate+: 4.2%
Center Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenaha | 1,239 | $27,813 | 43.1% | $91,500 |
| Timpson | 1,063 | $31,250 | 36.6% | $82,000 |
| Joaquin | 869 | $35,625 | 25.9% | $52,000 |
| Huxley | 322 | $44,028 | 18.6% | $88,600 |
| Shelbyville | 188 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge | 5,170 | $48,000 | $75,900 | 17.2% | 20.2% |
| Brady | 5,230 | $46,250 | $138,800 | 19.9% | 14.0% |
| Sandy Oaks | 5,396 | $50,806 | $120,300 | 9.8% | 16.7% |
| Hudson | 5,104 | $46,406 | $171,700 | 8.4% | 11.9% |
| Progreso | 4,998 | $45,924 | $69,300 | 12.1% | 28.4% |
Population Overview
Center is a small city located in Texas, within Shelby County. The total population is 5,271. It ranks as the 418th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Center is 33.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Center has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Center is $48,293. This is 38% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 10.3%. This is 96% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $83,300. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Center is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.8% vs 11.9%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Center, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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 Center, Texas?
Center, Texas has a population of 5,271 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Center, TX?
The median household income in Center is $48,293, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Center, TX?
The poverty rate in Center is 26.1%. This means approximately 1,342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Center, Texas?
Center's population is 37.7% White, 29.8% Black, 25.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Center, TX?
The median home value in Center is $83,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Center, Texas?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.