City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Centre, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Centre - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,664
Residents
$43,912
Median income
$166,300
Median home
$844
Median rent (state)

Centre - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Centre lands in the 12th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Centre, AL

Alabama's Centre is a small town, with 3,664 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Centre brings in $43,912 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Typical homes in Centre are valued around $166,300, and the median resident age is 55.2 years. Educational attainment runs 14.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 42.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 33 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 83% from five years earlier. Centre's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3745.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Centre's yearly average temperature at 59.7°F with 57.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Alabama scores 88.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $844 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alabama run around $245, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 63.3 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

3,664 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$43,912 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Centre compare to other US cities?

Here's how Centre stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Alabama and the picture shifts: Centre ranks #195 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Centre's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

12thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Centre's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Centre's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Centre's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Centre's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$166,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Centre $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Centre, AL Centre, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Centre, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Centre, AL median $43,912/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Centre, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Centre, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,664
Median Income
$43,912
Median Home Value
$166,300
Median Age
55.2
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
42.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3745.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
390.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3355.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.7°F
Annual Precipitation
57.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,500 residents3,600 residents3,700 residents3,800 residents3,900 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,598 residents 3,912 residents ▲ +8.7%
Centre's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
33
housing units authorized
Single-Family
33
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 20
2021 20
2022 50
2023 7
2024 33

Permit volume increased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.1%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
0.9%

Based on 1,372 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Centre sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$844/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
63.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Thomasville
3,668 people
Priceville
3,653 people
Moundville
3,649 people
West End-Cobb
3,705 people
Grand Bay
3,765 people
Hazel Green
3,765 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Centre's 3,664 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wilkesboro, NC
3,664 people
Camden, TN
3,664 people
Lake Holm, WA
3,664 people
Camden, ME
3,665 people
Stanford, KY
3,662 people
Eastover, NC
3,666 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Centre's $43,912 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Perkins, OK
$43,913 median income
Calypso, NC
$43,906 median income
West Logan, WV
$43,906 median income
Center Ossipee, NH
$43,929 median income
Pringle, SD
$43,929 median income
Hooks, TX
$43,929 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Centre, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Centre, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.9% 10.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.7% White 86.9% Black or African American 10.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Centre compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Centre (this city) 3,664 $43,912
Thomasville 3,668 $43,669
Priceville 3,653 $108,398
Moundville 3,649 $69,146
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Centre, AL?

What is the population of Centre, AL? +

The population of Centre, AL stands at 3,664 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Centre, AL? +

Centre households earn a median of $43,912 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Centre? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Centre; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Centre, AL safe? +

Centre has a total crime rate of 3745.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Centre, AL? +

Centre's median home value sits at $166,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Centre? +

Centre has an average annual temperature of 59.7°F, 57.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.