Population 37,191 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Central City
Household size in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.26 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.31 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.37 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.81 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.45 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Central City is a place of big households: 3.81 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has dropped from 4.26 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Los Angeles neighborhoods have larger households: only two of 51.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.1 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.7 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.4 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.7 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.5 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.7, Central City is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 27.1 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.9% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.1% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 26.7% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 26.2% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Central City: 26.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 4.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods, only three have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Central City
Renters in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.0% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 80.5% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 80.0% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 79.7% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Central City: 79.7% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About three in ten owners (29.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the southeast. The renter share has risen 3.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Central City: just 5.2% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.3 points, as it has nationally. Central City has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1944 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1944 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1943 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Central City is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1955, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1944 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $874 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $945 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,125 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,406 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$532 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Central City costs $1,406 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $532 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 38.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Los Angeles neighborhood has lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Central City
Bachelor's degrees in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Central City: 9.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.6 points, mirroring the country. Only three of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 37.7% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 44.1% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 50.0% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.6 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About half of adults in Central City never finished high school, well above the national share: only 50.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 15.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Los Angeles neighborhood has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Central City
| Period | Central City | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Central City runs well above the national rate: 10.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 4.7 points, even as the national rate fell. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Central City compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | 3.81 | 32.7 | 26.2% | 79.7% | 5.2% | 1955 | $1,406 | 9.6% | 50.0% | 10.9% |
| Nevin | 3.97 | 33.1 | 28.2% | 76.0% | 5.2% | 1965 | $1,511 | 7.0% | 44.4% | 11.2% |
| Fashion District | 1.58 | 34.4 | 2.4% | 91.2% | 10.3% | 1974 | $2,290 | 52.8% | 85.7% | 10.0% |
| South Park | 1.49 | 34.1 | 3.2% | 89.0% | 11.8% | 2010 | $2,811 | 65.7% | 92.1% | 7.8% |
| Wholesale District-Skid Row | 1.25 | 49.4 | 1.8% | 89.9% | 17.1% | 1958 | $1,247 | 29.6% | 78.7% | 19.5% |
| Downtown Los Angeles | 1.38 | 38.5 | 4.4% | 92.3% | 16.0% | 1939 | $1,738 | 44.1% | 89.1% | 13.0% |
| New Downtown | 1.50 | 40.1 | 4.1% | 89.9% | 14.8% | 1992 | $2,198 | 58.0% | 86.1% | 6.8% |
| Central City East | 2.52 | 34.9 | 14.4% | 89.1% | 9.3% | 1985 | $1,687 | 29.4% | 69.9% | 9.5% |
| Westlake | 2.67 | 35.5 | 17.2% | 96.0% | 7.3% | 1966 | $1,424 | 21.5% | 59.0% | 7.3% |
| Civic Center Little Tokyo | 1.88 | 37.8 | 7.3% | 91.8% | 10.6% | 2001 | $2,551 | 53.5% | 87.3% | 5.9% |
| South Los Angeles | 3.35 | 34.2 | 22.3% | 67.8% | 7.5% | 1953 | $1,593 | 19.2% | 66.5% | 10.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Brea-Olinda, Brea, CA · Outer Sunset, San Francisco, CA · Almaden Valley, San Jose, CA · Arleta, Pacoima, CA · West Omaha, Omaha, NE · Western Hills Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX · Country Club, Bronx, NY · Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale, Kapolei, HI · Southside, Lansing, MI · Kings Bridge, Bronx, NY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Central City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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