Central City, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Central City is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,123. Residents earn $47,750 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
1,123 Population 1,970/sq mi density
$47,750 Median Income $24,766 per capita
$43,900 Home Value $78,765 Zillow
$888 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,750 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$43,900 home value, $888/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,750
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $43,900
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.7%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $888
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.1%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.1%
62% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,123
Median Age38.5 yrs
Density1,970/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,750
Per Capita$24,766
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty20.1%
County GDP$1,581M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$43,900
Rent$888
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$78,765

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity46.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.2%
Heart Disease8.5%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation492 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.7%
High School+88.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute14 min
Libraries5

Is Central City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Central City receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. 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 $47,750, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 20.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Central City is $43,900, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $888 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Central City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Central City has a population of 1,123 with a density of 1,970 people per square mile. The median age is 38.5 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%).

Population

1,123
Total Population
1,970
People / sq mi
38.5yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Central City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Central City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Central City is $47,750, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Central City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,750
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,766
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$80,389

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.1%
62% above US avg
Establishments (County)940
County GDP$1,581M

Business (County)

Restaurants88
Healthcare95
Retail136
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,038
44% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate11.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.1 min
Work from Home0.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Central City is $43,900, 84% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $888 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $78,765.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$43,900
84% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$78,765

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$888
24% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,038
44% above US avg
Effective Rate11.48%
In Central City, 46.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.2% report depression. 35.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.1%
44% above US avg
Diabetes14.8%
Heart Disease8.5%
High Blood Pressure38.8%
Asthma12.4%
COPD13.2%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity35.3%
Depression28.2%
Mental Distress23.9%
Physical Distress19.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access65.7%
Healthcare Facilities95

Crime Rates: Central City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Central City has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.7°F
3% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.9 inches
21% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation492 ft (150 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,970/sq mi
Coordinates38.5485°N, 89.1283°W
County FIPS17027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75%
D 23.1%

Winner: Republican by 51.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.7%
77% below US avg
High School+88.3%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,970/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities95
Restaurants88
Retail Stores136

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.1 min
Work from Home0.4%

Nearby Cities

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