Population 11,479 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Central
Household size in Central
| Period | Central | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.34 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.58 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.01 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
The average household in Central has 2.41 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.34, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0 | 38.1 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.8 | 39.0 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.9 | 39.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.6 | 39.7 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −3.5 | +1.6 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.6, Central is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.0, even as the national median rose. Only eight of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people 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
| Period | Central | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 11.5% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 11.6% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 10.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 10.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Central than nationally: 9.1%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.3 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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0% | 30.0% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.0% | 31.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.9% | 31.4% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 42.3% | 29.3% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.7 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over four in ten households in Central rent their homes (42.3%), above the national share of 34.8%. Among owners, 43.6% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.6 points, even as the national share rose. Only 15 of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have 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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 12.2% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 12.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 10.8% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 9.6% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Central as nationally: 10.9%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is down 0.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1982 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1984 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1985 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1989 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +7 | +6 |
Central has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center 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
| Period | Central | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $684 | $733 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $744 | $816 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $706 | $939 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $851 | $1,216 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$167 | +$483 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Central runs $851 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $167 a month from 2006–10, a 24% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.7% | 26.8% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.5% | 27.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.8% | 30.8% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 42.5% | 35.6% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +8.8 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Central than nationally: 42.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 3.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the east.
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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.7% | 82.9% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.5% | 84.9% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.1% | 86.7% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.8% | 89.5% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over nine in ten adults in Central have finished high school (92.8%), above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.1 points, as it has nationally.
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 | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 5.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 4.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −4.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Central has been strong: just 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, as it has nationally. 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 cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 2.41 | 33.6 | 9.1% | 42.3% | 10.9% | 1989 | $851 | 42.5% | 92.8% | 3.4% |
| Norris | 2.51 | 46.6 | 5.5% | 16.2% | 8.1% | 1980 | $885 | 18.9% | 83.8% | 6.9% |
| Clemson | 2.51 | 25.7 | 5.9% | 66.5% | 18.1% | 1984 | $1,181 | 68.1% | 97.3% | 7.4% |
| Keowee | 1.89 | 28.2 | 1.5% | 33.9% | 9.4% | 1996 | $1,037 | 61.8% | 97.0% | 7.4% |
| Newry | 2.03 | 55.0 | 2.2% | 19.2% | 15.6% | 1998 | $944 | 57.0% | 94.4% | 3.3% |
| Liberty | 2.62 | 38.7 | 11.2% | 15.9% | 6.8% | 1991 | $922 | 20.4% | 82.3% | 3.4% |
| Pendleton | 2.42 | 40.1 | 9.2% | 29.5% | 10.3% | 1993 | $1,138 | 39.8% | 90.9% | 2.5% |
| Six Mile | 2.38 | 48.0 | 5.4% | 9.1% | 26.9% | 1996 | $838 | 33.0% | 89.6% | 2.2% |
| La France | 2.27 | 39.5 | 5.3% | 18.4% | 17.5% | 1990 | $1,298 | 46.7% | 96.7% | 2.6% |
| Seneca | 2.29 | 43.6 | 10.8% | 31.0% | 15.1% | 1988 | $953 | 30.6% | 88.4% | 6.2% |
| Salem | 2.22 | 60.8 | 3.1% | 4.9% | 23.7% | 1991 | $915 | 48.5% | 89.3% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Alma, AR · Napoleon, OH · Morrow, OH · Moulton, AL · Moundsville, WV · Mount Pleasant, IA · Mount Vernon, IN · Murphysboro, IL · Myrtle Grove, NC · Nanakuli, HI
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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