Living in Centralia, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Centralia · Census data 2020–2024
Centralia has 11,856 residents with a median age of 39.1. The median household income is $47,807 (43% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $89,600, the median rent is $765/month.
Centralia at a glance
- Population
- 11,856
- Median age
- 39.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $47,807State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $89,600State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $765/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 62.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.4%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Centralia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 66% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 11.2%; a poverty rate of 24.3%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Centralia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Centralia the median home value is $89,600, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $765 per month, which is 29% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,173 a month in housing costs.
Centralia median household income
The median household income in Centralia is $47,807 and the income per person is $26,963. 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Centralia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,713
- Owner-occupied
- 62.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.5%
- Vacant
- 10.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.21
Centralia demographics
- Population
- 11,856
- Median age
- 39.1
- Under 18
- 24.4%
- 65 and older
- 22.1%
- Households
- 5,094
- Foreign-born
- 3.4%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Centralia ›
Education in Centralia
16.4% of adults 25 and older in Centralia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 6.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Centralia
- Unemployment rate
- 11.2%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.1%
Centralia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 11,856 | $47,807 | $89,600 | $765 |
| Central City | 1,081 | $44,896 | $47,600 | $840 |
| Wamac | 804 | $36,500 | $20,100 | $787 |
| Junction City | 638 | $56,364 | $83,500 | $878 |
| Irvington | 774 | $80,219 | $91,700 | $826 |
| Sandoval | 1,004 | $52,841 | $59,100 | $682 |
| Odin | 972 | $46,131 | $102,600 | $682 |
| Hoffman | 607 | $66,667 | $106,700 | $675 |
| Hoyleton | 523 | $71,094 | $100,000 | $1,063 |
More for people moving to Centralia
Centralia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Centralia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Centralia, IL?
The median household income in Centralia is $47,807, 43% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Centralia?
The median home value in Centralia is $89,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Centralia?
The median gross rent in Centralia is $765 per month, about 29% of household income.
Is Centralia, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 66% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 11.2%; a poverty rate of 24.3%.
What is the median age in Centralia?
The median age in Centralia is 39.1 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Centralia?
The average commute to work in Centralia is 19 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Centralia?
The unemployment rate in Centralia is 11.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Centralia?
16.4% of adults in Centralia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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