Population 12,792 · 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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.85 | 3.29 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.72 | 3.31 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 3.27 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.18 | 3.25 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.68 | −0.04 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Central is a place of small households, averaging 2.18 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.85 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Central has the smallest households of any Fresno neighborhood.
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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.8 | 32.4 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.5 | 33.1 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.9 | 33.9 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.6 | 34.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.8 | +2.2 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Central is 36.6 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Still, the population here is older than in the Fresno area overall, where the median age is 34.5. The median age has climbed from 28.8 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.8% | 17.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.4% | 18.5% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 17.9% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.0% | 17.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −16.8 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Central (12.0%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in the Fresno area overall (17.7%). The single-parent share has fallen 16.8 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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.4% | 44.0% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 88.7% | 45.9% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 87.1% | 45.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 88.4% | 43.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Central: 88.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. More than four in ten owners (44.7%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Fresno neighborhood has a higher share of renters.
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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 9.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 8.8% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 6.8% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Central as nationally: 9.7%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Fresno area overall (6.8%). Central has the highest vacancy rate of any Fresno neighborhood.
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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1977 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1955 | 1980 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1981 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1984 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Central is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the center has the oldest housing. Only one other Fresno neighborhood has older homes.
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 | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $523 | $968 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $564 | $1,042 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $679 | $1,170 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $969 | $1,635 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$446 | +$667 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Central runs $969 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $446 a month from 2006–10, an 85% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 38.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. No other Fresno 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
Bachelor's degrees in Central
| Period | Central | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 18.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 18.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 19.6% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.4% | 23.1% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +4.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Central: 11.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Fresno neighborhood has 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
| Period | Central | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.4% | 71.6% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 48.3% | 72.0% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 56.6% | 74.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 61.3% | 77.5% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.9 pts | +5.9 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults in Central never finished high school, well above the national share: only 61.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 14.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Fresno 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
| Period | Central | Fresno area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 11.7% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 14.0% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 9.0% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 9.0% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Central: 16.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Fresno neighborhood has higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | 2.18 | 36.6 | 12.0% | 88.4% | 9.7% | 1968 | $969 | 11.4% | 61.3% | 16.3% |
| Edison | 3.44 | 28.6 | 29.4% | 68.9% | 4.5% | 1973 | $1,195 | 7.7% | 60.9% | 19.0% |
| Fresno-High | 2.91 | 34.4 | 20.0% | 52.3% | 7.1% | 1955 | $1,404 | 18.9% | 78.4% | 11.5% |
| Roosevelt | 3.55 | 31.9 | 20.4% | 49.1% | 5.2% | 1978 | $1,561 | 15.8% | 70.3% | 10.0% |
| McLane | 3.27 | 31.3 | 21.8% | 49.6% | 6.9% | 1975 | $1,646 | 20.9% | 77.9% | 9.4% |
| Hoover | 2.77 | 33.3 | 16.0% | 58.5% | 5.9% | 1972 | $1,558 | 25.6% | 86.2% | 8.5% |
| West | 3.52 | 31.3 | 17.7% | 34.9% | 4.5% | 1993 | $1,644 | 19.5% | 78.3% | 9.0% |
| Bullard | 2.77 | 38.9 | 13.8% | 40.9% | 4.8% | 1984 | $1,752 | 35.3% | 88.9% | 6.8% |
| Southeast Growth Area | 3.26 | 34.7 | 11.6% | 9.7% | 1.8% | 1994 | $1,487 | 36.6% | 92.8% | 3.1% |
| Woodward Park | 2.72 | 39.0 | 12.2% | 39.7% | 7.5% | 1994 | $2,298 | 49.5% | 94.5% | 4.4% |
| North Growth Area | 2.91 | 36.9 | 6.3% | 13.4% | 4.5% | 2012 | $2,841 | 72.7% | 97.0% | 2.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Maplewood, Fall River, MA · salisbury, Allentown, PA · Rock Creek, Little Rock, AR · Riviera, Santa Barbara, CA · Riverside Park, Buffalo, NY · Radnor-Ft Myer Heights, Arlington, VA · Provincetowne, Charlotte, NC · Power Ranch, Gilbert, AZ · Point Place, Toledo, OH · Pine Grove, Chicago, IL
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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