Central City, KY

Kentucky

Central City is a small city in Kentucky with a population of 5,736. Residents earn $49,025 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,736 Population 1,082/sq mi density
$49,025 Median Income $29,339 per capita
$140,700 Home Value $120,309 Zillow
$755 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
153 Violent Crime/100K 1,020 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$49,025 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$140,700 home value, $755/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
153 violent crimes/100K (60% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,025
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $140,700
50% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 153/100K
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.6%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $755
35% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.0%
61% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,736
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density1,082/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,025
Per Capita$29,339
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty20.0%
County GDP$1,544M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$140,700
Rent$755
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$120,309

Crime

F
Violent153/100K
Property1,020/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault51/100K
Burglary51/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.8 in/yr
Elevation417 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.6%
High School+82.3%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute20 min
Libraries2

Is Central City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Central City receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Central City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Central City is $49,025, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Central City is $140,700, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $755 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Central City is below the national average at 153 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,020 per 100,000, 48% below the national average.

Education

9.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Central City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Central City has a population of 5,736 with a density of 1,082 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 4.1% Black.

Population

5,736
Total Population
1,082
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.8%
Female 46.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Central City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Central City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Central City is $49,025, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Central City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,025
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,339
Avg Weekly Wage$1,050
IRS Avg AGI$54,215

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.0%
61% above US avg
Establishments (County)747
County GDP$1,544M

Business (County)

Restaurants58
Healthcare69
Retail109
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,375
32% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Central City is $140,700, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $755 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $120,309.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$140,700
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$120,309

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$755
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,375
32% below US avg
Effective Rate1.69%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Premature Death12,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access61.4%
Healthcare Facilities69
Central City has a violent crime rate of 153 per 100,000 residents, 60% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,020 per 100,000 (48% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent153.0/100K
60% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape85.0/100K
Robbery17.0/100K
Assault51.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,020.1/100K
48% below US avg
Burglary51.0/100K
Theft935.1/100K
Vehicle Theft34.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Central City has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.8 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall4.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation417 ft (127 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density1,082/sq mi
Coordinates37.2968°N, 87.1290°W
County FIPS21177
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.6%
72% below US avg
High School+82.3%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,082/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities69
Restaurants58
Retail Stores109

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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