Population 100,546 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Central
Household size in Central
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.93 | 3.24 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 3.25 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.79 | 3.15 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.66 | 3.01 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.27 | −0.23 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
At 2.66 people per household, Central sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is smaller than in the wider El Paso area, where it has 3.01 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.93, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.6 | 31.9 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.8 | 32.5 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.7 | 33.7 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.6 | 34.9 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +3.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Central is 37.6 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Still, the population here is older than in the El Paso area as a whole, where the median age is 34.9. The median age has climbed from 34.6 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 17.4% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 17.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 16.2% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 16.9% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Central: 16.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The picture is much the same across the El Paso area. The single-parent share has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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
Renters in Central
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.1% | 36.0% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 57.7% | 38.2% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.3% | 38.8% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 60.0% | 35.7% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | −0.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Central rent: 60.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 66.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 8.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 8.6% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 10.0% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 8.1% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −0.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Central: 14.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1957 | 1983 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1984 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1961 | 1986 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1990 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +7 | +8 | +6 |
Central is a place of older homes: half were built before 1963, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center. Central has the oldest homes of any El Paso neighborhood.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $556 | $744 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $657 | $877 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $761 | $942 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $915 | $1,233 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$359 | +$489 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Central runs $915 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $359 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 36.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the southwest.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Central
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 20.0% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 21.5% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 23.8% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 25.8% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Central: 18.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the southeast.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.4% | 71.4% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 65.0% | 75.6% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 69.2% | 79.0% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 70.8% | 81.7% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +10.2 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About three in ten adults in Central never finished high school, well above the national share: only 70.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.4 points, in line with the national trend.
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
| Period | Central | El Paso area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 8.1% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 9.0% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 6.1% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 6.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Central runs well above the national rate: 8.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only two of El Paso's 20 neighborhoods have higher unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 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 | 2.66 | 37.6 | 16.2% | 60.0% | 14.7% | 1963 | $915 | 18.1% | 70.8% | 8.9% |
| Mission Hills | 2.08 | 41.0 | 10.0% | 39.8% | 11.8% | 1966 | $791 | 43.9% | 82.5% | 2.8% |
| Cielo Vista South | 2.21 | 46.0 | 14.5% | 37.8% | 9.7% | 1967 | $1,070 | 41.9% | 92.3% | 3.9% |
| Mesa Hills | 2.19 | 26.8 | 18.1% | 81.6% | 19.1% | 1991 | $1,291 | 38.0% | 84.5% | 2.5% |
| El Paso Lower Valley | 2.56 | 42.9 | 13.6% | 31.3% | 11.9% | 1966 | $787 | 8.4% | 60.2% | 5.9% |
| Angels Triangle | 2.61 | 35.8 | 21.6% | 66.1% | 13.4% | 1973 | $887 | 8.0% | 77.1% | 12.1% |
| Stonehaven | 2.33 | 27.8 | 15.0% | 91.2% | 12.4% | 1980 | $1,104 | 22.2% | 94.6% | 0.7% |
| Album Park | 2.87 | 39.8 | 15.8% | 34.3% | 3.7% | 1968 | $1,042 | 27.9% | 84.1% | 5.1% |
| Thomas Manor | 2.82 | 42.9 | 29.5% | 29.0% | 9.7% | 1972 | $946 | 11.6% | 70.7% | 8.9% |
| Coronado | 2.33 | 34.9 | 10.0% | 59.5% | 12.3% | 1980 | $1,388 | 46.2% | 89.4% | 11.1% |
| Lower Valley | 2.79 | 41.5 | 18.5% | 41.4% | 9.8% | 1974 | $945 | 14.4% | 71.9% | 6.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: West San Jose, San Jose, CA · South Side, Corpus Christi, TX · Spring Branch, Houston, TX · South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ · Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY · Corona, Queens, NY · Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY · Astoria, Queens, NY · Canarsie, Brooklyn, NY · Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, 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. 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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