Central City, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Merrick County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
3,039 Population 1,245/sq mi density
$62,012 Median Income $34,675 per capita
$158,300 Home Value $207,139 Zillow
$729 Median Rent 28.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$62,012 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$158,300 home value, $729/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher

Central City, NE

At a Glance

Median Income
$62,012
17% below
$34,675 per capita
Home Value
$158,300
44% below
Zillow: $207,139
Median Rent
$729/mo
37% below
28.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
19.7%
42% below
92.1% high school+
Unemployment
0.0%
100% below
5.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.1%
22% above
15.5% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
50°F

How Central City Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Central City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
83%
Home Value
56%
Rent
63%
Poverty
48%
Bachelor's
58%
Unemployment
0%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Central City a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.9 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Central City residents earn a median household income of $62,012 , which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $34,675. The unemployment rate stands at 0.0% (100% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 275 business establishments, including 10 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Central City is $158,300 , 44% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $207,139. Median rent is $729/month, with 28.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 90.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1969.

Education

19.7% of adults in Central City hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below the national average). 92.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.1/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Central City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.5 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population3,039
Median Age38.8 yrs
Density1,245/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born3.9%
Veterans5.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,012
Per Capita$34,675
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$554M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,105

Housing

A+
Home Value$158,300
Rent$729
Ownership67.4%
Zillow$207,139
Housing Units1,285
Rent Burden28.5%

Health

Obesity39.1%
Diabetes9.0%
Smoking15.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death8,240/100K

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
Rain28.5 in/yr
Elevation1,696 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+92.1%
Graduate+9.5%
School Score5.1/10

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute18 min
Broadband85.9%
Internet Speed26 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Central City was founded in 1866.
The median home in Central City was built in 1969.
The nearest airport is Central Nebraska Regional (19 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.421 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
21.0% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 5 fatal vehicle crashes.