City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Central City, AR

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

570
Residents
$71,071
Median income
$123,000
Median home
$937
Median rent (state)

Central City - the verdict

Central City ranks in the 51st percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

51st
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
79th
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: Central City, AR

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 570 residents in Central City, a small town within Arkansas. The typical household in Central City brings in $71,071 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.8%. Central City's housing stock carries a median value of $123,000, and the median resident age is 41.5 years. About 11.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 65.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Central City reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 643.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Arkansas scores 86.9 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $937 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $210 across Arkansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Central City report an average commute of 17.6 minutes, with 87.7% driving alone and 6.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 86.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

570 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$71,071 /yr

Poverty 4.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Central City compare to other US cities?

Central City measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 51% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Arkansas, Central City ranks #17 of 160 Arkansas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Central City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arkansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arkansas-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Central City toward the bottom of Arkansas's cities

Among the 524 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Central City ranks #414 - the 21st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Central City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#71 of 495
86th percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#163 of 524
64th percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#192 of 482
60th percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#414 of 524
21st percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#302 of 524
41st percentile in Arkansas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Arkansas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

51stIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

51st percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Central City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Central City'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 72 Avg. percentile National median
Central City'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 Central City's home value compares nationally

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

$123,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Central City $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 - Central City, AR Central City, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Central City, AR-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 Central City, AR median $71,071/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%
Central City, AR'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 Central City, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.8%

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

Population
570
Median Income
$71,071
Median Home Value
$123,000
Median Age
41.5
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor force participation
65.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
643.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
643.8
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
466 residents468 residents470 residents472 residents 202020212022202320242025 467 residents 469 residents ▲ +0.4%
Central City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.6 minutes
Drive Alone
87.7%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
6.3%

Based on 317 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$210
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Arkansas 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 Arkansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Central City sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$937/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
86.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Madison
574 people
Junction City
564 people
Altheimer
578 people
Bergman
582 people
Kirby
582 people
Kingsland
551 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Central City's 570 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Coatesville, IN
570 people
Sutherland, IA
570 people
Mermentau, LA
570 people
Martin, MI
570 people
Lynd, MN
570 people
Stewart, MN
570 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Central City's $71,071 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Leesburg, GA
$71,071 median income
Randolph, KS
$71,071 median income
Minto, ND
$71,071 median income
Glidden, TX
$71,071 median income
Eastville, VA
$71,071 median income
Glenvar Heights, FL
$71,067 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Central City, AR 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 Central City, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.7% White 88.1% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.0% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Central City compares to nearby Arkansas cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Central City (this city) 570 $71,071
Madison 574 $60,809
Junction City 564 $35,506
Altheimer 578 $41,364
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Central City, AR?

What is the population of Central City, AR? +

570 people live in Central City, AR according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Central City, AR? +

In Central City, the typical household earns $71,071 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Central City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Central City; the closest available measure is the Arkansas state average, a cost of living index of 86.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Arkansas vary by metro area.

Is Central City, AR safe? +

Central City has a total crime rate of 643.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Central City, AR? +

A typical home in Central City is worth $123,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.