City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Central, SC

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

5,299
Residents
$58,262
Median income
$228,500
Median home
$1,339
Median rent (state)

Central - the verdict

Central ranks in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
52nd
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, SC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,299 residents in Central, a small town within South Carolina. The typical household in Central brings in $58,262 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. Home values in Central run a median of $228,500, and the median resident age is 22.7 years. Educational attainment runs 48.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 13 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 59% from five years earlier. Central reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1310.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Carolina at 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,339 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Workers in Central report an average commute of 18.1 minutes, with 78.7% driving alone and 5.7% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

5,299 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$58,262 /yr

Poverty 12.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Central compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% 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 South Carolina, Central ranks #18 of 127 South Carolina 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 against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Central's strongest outlier among South Carolina cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Central ranks #32 - the 93rd 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
#150 of 403
63rd percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#82 of 441
73rd percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#104 of 404
74th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#225 of 439
49th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#32 of 441
93rd percentile in South Carolina

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

32ndIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Central's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Central'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Central'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's home value compares nationally

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

$228,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% 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%). 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 $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, SC Central, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Central, SC-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, SC median $58,262/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, SC'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, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.2%

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

Population
5,299
Median Income
$58,262
Median Home Value
$228,500
Median Age
22.7
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Labor force participation
53.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1310.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
56.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1254.7
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.

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 →
5,250 residents5,300 residents5,350 residents5,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,298 residents 5,298 residents ▲ +0.0%
Central's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
13
housing units authorized
Single-Family
13
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 32
2020 45
2021 41
2022 21
2023 11
2024 13

Permit volume decreased 59% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.1 minutes
Drive Alone
78.7%
Carpool
7.1%
Public Transit
4.9%
Walk
3.7%
Work from Home
5.7%

Based on 2,267 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$52
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$224
estimated/month

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

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,339/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Blythewood
5,309 people
Hollywood
5,330 people
Chester
5,241 people
Belvedere
5,458 people
Walterboro
5,490 people
Cheraw
5,024 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Central's 5,299 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Brush, CO
5,299 people
Whiskey Creek, FL
5,298 people
Grambling, LA
5,302 people
Mayflower, CA
5,303 people
Springfield, MI
5,295 people
Montevideo, MN
5,303 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Central's $58,262 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Spring Garden, AL
$58,264 median income
Ensley, FL
$58,264 median income
Green Valley, AZ
$58,268 median income
Marlow Heights, MD
$58,268 median income
Louisville, OH
$58,269 median income
Kaufman, TX
$58,269 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Central, SC 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, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.5% 7.3% 8.1% 15.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.1% White 67.5% Black or African American 7.3% Asian 8.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 15.4% 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 compares to nearby South Carolina 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 (this city) 5,299 $58,262
Blythewood 5,309 $105,583
Hollywood 5,330 $77,415
Chester 5,241 $41,231
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Central, SC?

What is the population of Central, SC? +

Central, SC counts 5,299 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Central, SC? +

The median household income in Central is $58,262 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Central? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Central; the closest available measure is the South Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 93.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Central, SC safe? +

Central has a total crime rate of 1310.9 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, SC? +

A typical home in Central is worth $228,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.