Population 17,573 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Central
Household size in Central
| Period | Central | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.66 | 2.69 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.69 | 2.68 | 2.64 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.80 | 2.73 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.63 | 2.59 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.06 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The average household in Central has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.66, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the south.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 35.3 | 36.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.3 | 36.2 | 37.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.3 | 36.8 | 38.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.5 | 37.1 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +1.8 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Central is 43.5 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.0, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the south.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 14.1% | 14.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 14.8% | 15.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 13.9% | 14.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 14.0% | 15.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −0.0 pts | +0.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Central (11.0%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in the Baton Rouge area overall (14.0%). The single-parent share has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 30.5% | 31.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.7% | 31.4% | 33.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 31.0% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 30.9% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +0.4 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Central is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 14.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 37.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 10.9% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 11.2% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 15.6% | 15.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 14.1% | 14.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +3.2 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Central as nationally: 9.7%, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in the wider Baton Rouge area (14.1%). Vacancy is up 3.9 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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1982 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1984 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1986 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1990 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Central has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The picture is much the same across the Baton Rouge area. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $652 | $775 | $755 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $786 | $890 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,004 | $1,001 | $920 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,275 | $1,207 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$623 | +$432 | +$366 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Central costs $1,275 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in the Baton Rouge area overall ($1,207). Rent has climbed $623 a month since 2006–10, up 95%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 45.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 26.3% | 22.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.4% | 27.9% | 22.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.1% | 28.6% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.6% | 31.5% | 27.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.9 pts | +5.3 pts | +5.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Central (32.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 13.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest 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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.1% | 85.1% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.6% | 86.9% | 83.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.0% | 87.7% | 85.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.5% | 88.9% | 87.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.8 pts | +5.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Central: 95.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 151 Louisiana cities with 5,000+ people, only six have a higher 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 | Baton Rouge area | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 6.2% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | +0.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Central has been low: just 2.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only ten of the 151 Louisiana cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.5 points, 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 cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 2.52 | 43.5 | 11.0% | 14.8% | 9.7% | 1991 | $1,275 | 32.6% | 95.5% | 2.6% |
| Greenwell Springs | 3.12 | 37.8 | 14.6% | 7.4% | 6.7% | 1988 | $1,338 | 34.3% | 96.4% | 1.8% |
| Merrydale | 2.72 | 36.6 | 22.6% | 27.0% | 12.5% | 1975 | $1,309 | 16.1% | 87.8% | 18.9% |
| Pride | 2.70 | 46.8 | 13.7% | 3.3% | 10.3% | 1991 | $1,183 | 30.9% | 95.4% | 3.3% |
| Baker | 2.85 | 37.2 | 24.7% | 24.5% | 14.0% | 1985 | $1,201 | 23.4% | 90.0% | 13.7% |
| Denham Springs | 2.78 | 36.1 | 13.8% | 21.9% | 9.5% | 2000 | $1,214 | 23.8% | 90.3% | 3.9% |
| Baton Rouge area | 2.63 | 37.1 | 14.0% | 30.9% | 14.1% | 1990 | $1,207 | 31.5% | 88.9% | 6.8% |
| Milldale | 2.26 | 47.0 | 10.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 1994 | $1,380 | 38.8% | 96.9% | 21.0% |
| Shenandoah | 2.60 | 36.9 | 14.8% | 39.2% | 8.8% | 1991 | $1,252 | 43.1% | 94.4% | 6.5% |
| Zachary | 2.61 | 40.4 | 10.6% | 20.6% | 6.6% | 1998 | $1,568 | 37.1% | 94.4% | 6.6% |
| Walker | 2.80 | 36.5 | 14.2% | 17.4% | 8.8% | 2002 | $1,145 | 16.3% | 88.8% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Comerio, PR · Fletcher, NC · Newton, KS · Somerton, AZ · South Orange, NJ · Spanish Lake, MO · St. Albans, WV · East Amherst, NY · Dunn, NC · Dover, OH
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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