Centralia, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Centralia is a small city in Illinois with a population of 12,009. Residents earn $47,308 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,009 Population 1,465/sq mi density
$47,308 Median Income $28,698 per capita
$81,600 Home Value $107,115 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
778 Violent Crime/100K 4,848 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$47,308 median income, 5.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,600 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
778 violent crimes/100K (105% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,308
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $81,600
71% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 778/100K
105% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.8%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.6%
18% higher than US avg

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

People

Population12,009
Median Age40.0 yrs
Density1,465/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,308
Per Capita$28,698
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty14.6%
County GDP$1,581M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,600
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$107,115

Crime

F
Violent778/100K
Property4,848/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault581/100K
Burglary1,273/100K

Health

Obesity42.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation505 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.8%
High School+89.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute20 min
EV Stations4
Libraries5

Is Centralia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Centralia receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Centralia has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Centralia is $47,308, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 14.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Centralia is $81,600, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 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.

Safety & Crime

With 778 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,848 per 100,000, 147% above the national average.

Education

17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Centralia 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.

Centralia has a population of 12,009 with a density of 1,465 people per square mile. The median age is 40.0 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.3%), with 9.7% Black.

Population

12,009
Total Population
1,465
People / sq mi
40.0yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
8.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Centralia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Centralia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Centralia is $47,308, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Centralia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,308
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,698
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$80,389

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.6%
18% 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 Rate6.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Work from Home6.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Centralia is $81,600, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $107,115.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$81,600
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$107,115
Median List Price$86,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$86,000
$/Sq Ft$91
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory30

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% 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-Occupied64.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,038
44% above US avg
Effective Rate6.17%
In Centralia, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Centralia vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure35.2%
Asthma11.6%
COPD9.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity28.5%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.8%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access65.7%
Healthcare Facilities95
Centralia has a violent crime rate of 778 per 100,000 residents, 105% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,848 per 100,000 (147% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent777.9/100K
105% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape110.0/100K
Robbery86.4/100K
Assault581.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,848.0/100K
147% above US avg
Burglary1,272.9/100K
Theft3,425.8/100K
Vehicle Theft149.3/100K
Arson7.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Centralia 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

Elevation505 ft (154 m)
Area8.2 sq mi (21.2 km²)
Population Density1,465/sq mi
Coordinates38.5221°N, 89.1235°W
County FIPS17027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% 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+17.8%
47% below US avg
High School+89.0%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,465/sq mi
Total Area8.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities95
Restaurants88
Retail Stores136

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Work from Home6.7%

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