Living in Central, Tennessee
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Central · Census data 2020–2024
Central has 1,938 residents with a median age of 55.8. The median household income is $37,444 (46% lower than the Tennessee median), the median home value is $151,800, the median rent is $952/month.
Central at a glance
- Population
- 1,938
- Median age
- 55.8State: 38.9
- Median household income
- $37,444State: $69,595
- Median home value
- $151,800State: $286,700
- Median rent
- $952/moState: $1,189
- Homeowners
- 76.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.6%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Central a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 47% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.7%.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 5.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Central
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Central the median home value is $151,800, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $952 per month, which is 23.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,257 a month in housing costs.
Central median household income
The median household income in Central is $37,444 and the income per person is $26,495. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Tennessee: 13.8%).
Housing in Central: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,047
- Owner-occupied
- 76.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 23.6%
- Vacant
- 11.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.10
Central demographics
- Population
- 1,938
- Median age
- 55.8
- Under 18
- 14.2%
- 65 and older
- 30.6%
- Households
- 924
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Central ›
Education in Central
15.6% of adults 25 and older in Central have a bachelor's degree or higher (Tennessee: 31.1%), and 2.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Central
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 3.7%
- Drive alone
- 83%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.5%
Central vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 1,938 | $37,444 | $151,800 | $952 |
| Watauga | 644 | $62,917 | $156,900 | $588 |
| Pine Crest | 2,029 | $53,537 | $196,600 | $700 |
| Elizabethton | 14,374 | $46,975 | $172,900 | $740 |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | $1,023 |
| Biltmore | 1,846 | $52,917 | $125,300 | $781 |
| Valley Forge | 2,136 | $54,631 | $158,100 | $699 |
| Hampton | 1,883 | $39,028 | $98,200 | $676 |
| Unicoi | 3,806 | $42,424 | $244,300 | $920 |
More for people moving to Central
Central ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Central: FAQ
What is the median household income in Central, TN?
The median household income in Central is $37,444, 46% lower than the Tennessee median of $69,595 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Central?
The median home value in Central is $151,800, compared with $286,700 in Tennessee.
How much is rent in Central?
The median gross rent in Central is $952 per month, about 23.9% of household income.
Is Central, TN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 47% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.7%. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 5.1%.
What is the median age in Central?
The median age in Central is 55.8 years (Tennessee: 38.9).
How long is the commute in Central?
The average commute to work in Central is 19 minutes; 3.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Central?
The unemployment rate in Central is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Central?
15.6% of adults in Central 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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