Centralia, KS

Kansas

Centralia is a small town in Kansas with a population of 496. Residents earn $58,125 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
496 Population 1,102/sq mi density
$58,125 Median Income $33,506 per capita
$80,600 Home Value $166,211 Zillow
$930 Median Rent 34.2% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$58,125 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,600 home value, $930/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
33.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,125
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,600
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.1%
2% lower than US avg
Median Rent $930
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population496
Median Age45.7 yrs
Density1,102/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans1.8%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,125
Per Capita$33,506
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$667M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,600
Rent$930
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$166,211
Housing Units212
Rent Burden34.2%

Health

Obesity40.3%
Uninsured9.2%
Smoking16.4%
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain35.9 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation1,281 ft (390 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.1%
High School+90.2%
Graduate+16.2%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute18 min
Broadband86.7%
Libraries6

Is Centralia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Centralia receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Centralia stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Centralia is $58,125, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Centralia is $80,600, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $930 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Centralia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches, including 33.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Centralia has a population of 496 with a density of 1,102 people per square mile. The median age is 45.7 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.1%), with 4.8% Hispanic.

Population

496
Total Population
1,102
People / sq mi
45.7yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Centralia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Centralia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Centralia is $58,125, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Centralia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,125
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,506
Avg Weekly Wage$983
IRS Avg AGI$112,243

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)434
County GDP$667M

Business (County)

Restaurants22
Healthcare40
Retail52
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,889
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.0 min
Drive Alone85.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Centralia is $80,600, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $930 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $166,211.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,600
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$166,211

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$930
20% below US avg
Rent Burden34.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.4%
Housing Units212
Median Year Built1959

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,889
11% above US avg
Effective Rate4.83%
In Centralia, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.2% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 22.4% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.6%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.5%
Short Sleep34.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.9%
Uninsured9.2%
7% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.6%
Dental Visits61.7%
Premature Death5,114/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access64.6%
Healthcare Facilities40
Centralia has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.9 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.9 inches
6% below US avg
Snowfall33.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,281 ft (390 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density1,102/sq mi
Coordinates39.7244°N, 96.1310°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS20131
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 33.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (2% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 67-point margin. 86.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.8%
D 15.8%

Winner: Republican by 67 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.1%
2% below US avg
High School+90.2%
Graduate Degree+16.2%
School Test Score5.80
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,102/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.7%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants22
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.0 min
Drive Alone85.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.1%

Nearby Cities

Seneca, KS 2,139 pop · 8.5 mi Sabetha, KS 2,326 pop · 22.1 mi Holton, KS 3,384 pop · 27.6 mi Marysville, KS 3,423 pop · 28.2 mi Horton, KS 1,708 pop · 32.1 mi Hiawatha, KS 3,223 pop · 32.7 mi Falls City, NE 4,099 pop · 36.6 mi St. Marys, KS 2,795 pop · 36.8 mi Wamego, KS 4,205 pop · 37.1 mi Wymore, NE 1,287 pop · 39.4 mi St. George, KS 1,115 pop · 39.8 mi Rossville, KS 1,183 pop · 41.8 mi Valley Falls, KS 1,305 pop · 44.5 mi Tecumseh, NE 1,844 pop · 44.8 mi
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