City · Texas
Center, Texas
Center, city, in Shelby County, Texas. Center had 5,246 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,221 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,271 (±26). GEOID 4813732.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,246
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,221 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,271 ±26
Median household income
$48,293
±$11,954 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$83,300
±$50,262 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$823
±$254 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Center and what county is it in?
Center is a city in Shelby County, Texas. It covers 8.0 square miles of land, 654 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Center, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,246 people lived in Center on July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020 Census counted 5,221 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,271 (±26).
| Measure | Center | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,271 ±26 | 24,155 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,954 ±172 | 9,366 | +337 |
| Average household size | 2.62 ±0.23 | 2.56 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,262 ±212 | 11,584 | no clear change |
Center's population since 2000
From 5,678 in 2000 to 5,246 in 2025: down 7.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Center as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Center?
The median resident of Center is 33.3 years old; 31.4% are under 18 and 14.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 37.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.8%. 8.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Center | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.3 ±5.7 | 39.3 | +8.6 |
| Under 18 years | 31.4% ±4.1 pts | 26.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.6% ±4.5 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±4.1 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 25.1% ±7.2 pts | 19.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 37.7% ±7.9 pts | 59.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.8% ±5.8 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±4.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±2.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.7% ±4.0 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 18.7% ±6.7 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.8% ±3.0 pts | 5.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1% ±5.2 pts | 16.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 26.0% ±7.3 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.8% ±6.7 pts | 82.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.3% ±5.3 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.2% ±2.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.2% ±4.7 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Center earn?
Half of Center's 1,954 households earn less than $48,293 a year (±$11,954), against $49,776 in Shelby County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $42,468 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 26.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Center | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,293 ±$11,954 | $49,776 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $57,886 ±$12,590 | $70,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,106 ±$4,600 | $27,652 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 26.1% ±8.0 pts | 20.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.3% ±12.5 pts | 26.2% | −40.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.8% ±7.1 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±4.1 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.4% ±8.2 pts | 82.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Center?
Owners occupy 56.5% of Center's occupied homes and renters 43.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $83,300 by its owner (±$50,262). The median renter pays $823 a month including utilities, and 22.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Center | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $83,300 ±$50,262 | $101,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $823 ±$254 | $781 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.8% ±12.9 pts | 28.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,465 ±$334 | $1,383 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.5% ±8.3 pts | 74.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.5% ±8.3 pts | 26.0% | – |
| Housing units | 2,262 ±212 | 11,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7% ±5.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.0% ±7.3 pts | 60.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% ±6.1 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.4% ±5.7 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.9% ±3.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.1% ±4.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Center building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Center in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Center work and get to work?
77.4% of Center's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 16.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.3%.
| Measure | Center | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.0% ±8.9 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.3% ±6.3 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4% ±12.3 pts | 82.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6% ±11.7 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.6% ±4.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 1.9% ±3.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.2 min ±4.3 | 25.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Center?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Center, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $47,774 (Tract 9504.02) to $52,896 (Tract 9504.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504.01Shelby County | 3,211 | $52,896 |
| Tract 9504.02Shelby County | 2,575 | $47,774 |
| Tract 9503Shelby County | 3,608 | $48,125 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Center) · Census block assignment files
How does Center compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Center is the 4,758th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 381st-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Center ranks 785th of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 381st | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 658th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 741st | 979 |
| Median household income | 785th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 875th | 978 |
| Median home value | 871st | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 712th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 115th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 738th | 877 |
| Median age | 718th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 825th | 973 |
| Travel time to work | 918th | 976 |
Center's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Center with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Center?
16 of the 57 figures for Center on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Center are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Center.