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Central City, AR

Arkansas · Metropolitan Area

Central City is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 570. Residents earn $71,071 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
570 Population 257/sq mi density
$71,071 Median Income $33,041 per capita
$123,000 Home Value
$1,014 Median Rent 35.3% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 310 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$71,071 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$123,000 home value, $1,014/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,071
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $123,000
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.8%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,014
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.3%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

How Central City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population570
Median Age41.5 yrs
Density257/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans19.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,071
Per Capita$33,041
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$9,255M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$123,000
Rent$1,014
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units239
Rent Burden35.3%

Health

Obesity33.3%
Uninsured10.4%
Smoking15.3%
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F (17°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.3 in/yr
Sunny Days310/yr
Elevation396 ft (121 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+94.8%
Graduate+8.2%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute19 min
Broadband75.3%
Libraries7

Is Central City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Central City receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Central City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Central City is $71,071, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Central City is $123,000, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,014 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Central City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. With 310 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Central City has a population of 570 with a density of 257 people per square mile. The median age is 41.5 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.1%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

570
Total Population
257
People / sq mi
41.5yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.7%
Female 55.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Central City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.9%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.1%
62% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Central City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Central City is $71,071, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Central City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,071
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,041
Avg Weekly Wage$1,061
IRS Avg AGI$69,751

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,751
County GDP$9,255M

Business (County)

Restaurants302
Healthcare482
Retail538
Manufacturing156

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,305
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Drive Alone87.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Central City is $123,000, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,014 (13% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$123,000
56% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,014
13% below US avg
Rent Burden35.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$700
1 Bedroom$751
2 Bedrooms$944
3 Bedrooms$1,239
4 Bedrooms$1,406

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.1%
Housing Units239
Median Year Built1991

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,305
6% below US avg
Effective Rate2.69%
In Central City, 33.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.4% of residents lack health insurance. 15.3% are current smokers. 26.5% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Central City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.3%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure34.3%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.6%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.3%
9% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep37.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Uninsured10.4%
21% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits58.2%
Premature Death11,659/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access64.5%
Healthcare Facilities482
Central City has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches. The area enjoys 310 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days310 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall2.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation396 ft (121 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density257/sq mi
Coordinates35.3364°N, 94.2380°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS05131
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.6-point margin. 75.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.6%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 37.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.8%
65% below US avg
High School+94.8%
Graduate Degree+8.2%
School Test Score4.91
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density257/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.3%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities482
Restaurants302
Retail Stores538

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Drive Alone87.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

Barling, AR 4,919 pop · 2.1 mi Lavaca, AR 2,466 pop · 3.1 mi Kibler, AR 1,308 pop · 6.1 mi Fort Smith, AR 89,496 pop · 7.5 mi Greenwood, AR 9,570 pop · 7.9 mi Van Buren, AR 23,545 pop · 10.3 mi Alma, AR 5,879 pop · 10.9 mi Charleston, AR 2,611 pop · 11.1 mi Arkoma, OK 2,001 pop · 11.9 mi Hackett, AR 1,195 pop · 14.1 mi Pocola, OK 4,359 pop · 14.2 mi Mulberry, AR 1,573 pop · 15.0 mi Roland, OK 3,527 pop · 16.5 mi Cedarville, AR 1,750 pop · 18.5 mi
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