City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Central, CO

Central's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

576
Residents
$62,094
Median income
$379,400
Median home
$1,429
Median rent (state)
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State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Central.

Place dossier plate

Sheet CO-CENTRAL-CO · Central, CO 576 pop · income 38th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-MID · COL-PAR · SAFE-UNK · RANK-LOWER · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-MID · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 576
  • INC-MID $62,094
  • COL-PAR 103.1
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-LOWER 38th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Ferrysburg
  • HOME-MID $379,400
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Ferrysburg, MI (+ $2 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Central

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Central on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Central on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 576.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $62,094. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Central - the verdict

Nationally, Central sits in the 38th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

38th
percentile, household income
75th
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
📝 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, CO

Colorado's Central is a small town, with 576 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Households in Central report a median income of $62,094 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.6%. Typical homes in Central are valued around $379,400, and the median resident age is 35.7 years. 30.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 74.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 5 residential building permits were authorized in Central (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,429 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Colorado run around $202, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 40.7 out of 100 (Low).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Central's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from population change to housing and income to work and mobility to comparison shortlist; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Central, city-specific coverage includes commute-mode shares, local building permits, annual population history. No matched row is reported here for FBI reported-crime rates, within-city Census tract profiles, matched public-school count; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

1. Population change

Is Central growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Recent estimates point upward. Growth can increase housing demand and service needs, but the permit record must move in the same direction before calling it a supply response; the two series measure different things.

Census PEP estimates show the population grew by +22 residents from 2020 to 2025, a +2.8% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 5 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

See the national growth ranking →

Question 2

How far does income reach against housing in Central?

The home-value-to-income reference is comparatively stretched: the ACS median home value is 6.1 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 5.6%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Housing value is high relative to the citywide income median. That flags a question for comparison, not a verdict: tenure, household composition, financing costs, and the age of the ACS estimate can all change what a resident actually pays.

Compare the housing trade-off →

3. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Central?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. No single mode completely explains the work trip here. The mix is more useful than a one-number commute grade, especially when comparing places where transit, walking, and remote work divide the non-driving share differently.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 73.5%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

Question 4

Which cities make useful reference points for Central?

Within Colorado, the closest population matches are Simla (576 residents); Otis (582 residents, $52,237 income); San Luis (582 residents, $30,481 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Dongola, IL (576 residents); Lyndon, IL (576 residents); Ridgeville, IN (576 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Population

576 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$62,094 /yr

Below median income · poverty 5.6% (Below-median poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above-average cost · BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

City profile score · Central, CO

45/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Poverty rate C+
5.6%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Bachelor's+ share C
30.8%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income F
$62,094

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Cost of living F
103.1 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Central profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Poverty rate, Bachelor's+ share, Household income, Cost of living. Poverty rateBachelor's+ shareHousehold incomeCost of living 45 D
Central profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Poverty rate: 62/100 (C+) · 5.6%
  • Bachelor's+ share: 59/100 (C) · 30.8%
  • Household income: 38/100 (F) · $62,094
  • Cost of living: 26/100 (F) · 103.1 index

How does Central compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 75% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Colorado-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Central near the bottom of Colorado's cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Central ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Central only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#260 of 379
31st percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 408
0th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#199 of 388
49th percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#181 of 408
55th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#215 of 408
47th percentile in Colorado
How in-state ranks are ordered

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 Colorado only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

38thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

38th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Central's home value compares nationally

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

$379,400 25th percentile more affordable than 25% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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 $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

Central's home-value-to-income ratio: 6.1×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
pressured
> 5.0×
National rank
#14,183 of 15,516
More affordable than 9% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#10,514 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 6.1×, Central sits in the pressured band: national rank #14,183 of 15,516 and #10,514 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). Housing value is high relative to the citywide income median, a comparison flag, not a verdict on any household.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$62,094 Central, CO median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Central, CO Central, CO's median household income ($62,094) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Central, CO-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Central, CO median $62,094/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, CO median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Central, CO.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 74.7%

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

Population
576
Median Income
$62,094
Median Home Value
$379,400
Median Age
35.7
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor force participation
74.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.8%

Population Change

PEP vintage

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
770 residents780 residents790 residents800 residents810 residents 202020212022202320242025 785 residents 807 residents ▲ +2.8%
Central's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 785 residents
2021 791 residents
2022 787 residents
2023 781 residents
2024 789 residents
2025 807 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 5
2023 5
2024 5

Permit volume increased 0% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.5%
Carpool
8.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.9%
Work from Home
12.1%

Based on 355 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

Colorado statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $202

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across Colorado at $202 (electricity about $90 , water and sewer about $50 ).

These are Colorado statewide averages, not a meter reading for Central. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Colorado's BEA cost-of-living index is 103.1 (Above Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Central is $1,429/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to Colorado statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 40.7 / 100 (Low).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a Colorado statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Central sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Central compares to similar-size Colorado cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Central (this city) 576 $62,094
Simla 576 N/A
Otis 582 $52,237
San Luis 582 $30,481
Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

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

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

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

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.

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