Central, TN

Full City Profile · Tennessee · Carter County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,944 Population 552/sq mi density
$42,292 Median Income $25,164 per capita
$126,700 Home Value $253,652 Zillow
$889 Median Rent 22.7% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$42,292 median income, 6.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$126,700 home value, $889/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Central, TN

At a Glance

Median Income
$42,292
44% below
$25,164 per capita
Home Value
$126,700
55% below
Zillow: $253,652
Median Rent
$889/mo
24% below
22.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.2%
58% below
89.8% high school+
Unemployment
6.3%
75% above
10.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.7%
24% above
23.5% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
56°F

How Central Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
56%
Home Value
45%
Rent
76%
Poverty
86%
Bachelor's
42%
Unemployment
175%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Central a Good Place to Live?

B
3.3 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Central residents earn a median household income of $42,292 , which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,164. The unemployment rate stands at 6.3% (75% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 880 business establishments, including 82 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Central is $126,700 , 55% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $253,652. Median rent is $889/month, with 22.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 91.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1979.

Education

14.2% of adults in Central hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below the national average). 89.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Central has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population1,944
Median Age52.5 yrs
Density552/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Foreign Born1.5%
Veterans6.4%

Economy

C+
Median Income$42,292
Per Capita$25,164
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$1,556M
Avg Weekly Wage$915

Housing

A+
Home Value$126,700
Rent$889
Ownership78.0%
Zillow$253,652
Housing Units1,096
Rent Burden22.7%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Diabetes13.7%
Smoking23.5%
Heart Disease7.5%
Premature Death12,616/100K

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
Rain48.0 in/yr
Elevation1,571 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.2%
High School+89.8%
Graduate+3.1%
School Score5.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute19 min
Broadband90.6%
Internet Speed138 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries1

Did You Know?

The median home in Central was built in 1979.
The nearest airport is Foothills Regional (52 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.449 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
27.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 138 Mbps.
The county recorded 11 fatal vehicle crashes.