Population 8,039 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Park Central Area
Household size in Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.12 | 2.45 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.23 | 2.59 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.05 | 2.62 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.95 | 2.57 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | +0.12 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Park Central Area is a place of small households, averaging 1.95 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.12, a much bigger shift than nationally. No other Abilene neighborhood has smaller households.
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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.6 | 35.6 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.4 | 35.4 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 28.5 | 35.5 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.8 | 35.5 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | −0.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Park Central Area is young: half of its residents are under 29.8, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 28.6 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 13.1% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 13.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 13.6% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 12.8% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Park Central Area: 8.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 4.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Abilene neighborhoods have a lower share of single-parent households: only two of 13.
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 Park Central Area
Renters in Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.0% | 39.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 79.2% | 42.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 82.9% | 43.3% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 78.7% | 40.6% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Park Central Area rent: 78.7% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share has fallen 3.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. No other Abilene 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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 11.0% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 13.4% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 14.3% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 13.1% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +2.1 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Park Central Area than nationally: 12.1%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 2.1 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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1971 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1972 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1973 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1975 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +8 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Park Central Area is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only one other Abilene neighborhood has newer 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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $790 | $854 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $779 | $864 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $960 | $1,062 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,143 | $1,311 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$353 | +$456 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Park Central Area runs $1,143 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $353 a month since 2006–10, up 45%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.3% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under 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 Park Central Area
Bachelor's degrees in Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.1% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 24.2% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 25.1% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.7% | 28.7% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +3.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Park Central Area (29.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the north.
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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.2% | 83.7% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.7% | 84.6% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.1% | 88.1% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.2% | 89.1% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +5.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Park Central Area: 95.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 9.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few Abilene neighborhoods have a higher share of high school graduates: only two of 13.
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 Park Central Area
| Period | Park Central Area | Abilene | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 3.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.6% | 2.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Park Central Area has been low: just 1.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Abilene's 13 neighborhoods have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.9 points, in line with the national trend.
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).
Park Central Area 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Central Area | 1.95 | 29.8 | 8.1% | 78.7% | 12.1% | 1989 | $1,143 | 29.7% | 95.2% | 1.6% |
| River Oaks-Brookhollow | 2.47 | 39.8 | 13.3% | 29.5% | 7.2% | 1966 | $1,266 | 44.0% | 93.5% | 1.9% |
| Chimney Rock Area | 2.60 | 45.5 | 8.4% | 13.5% | 13.2% | 1986 | $1,843 | 44.8% | 95.2% | 2.8% |
| Over Place Area | 2.70 | 26.7 | 12.8% | 50.4% | 7.7% | 1955 | $1,158 | 14.0% | 91.9% | 0.9% |
| Elmwood Area | 2.61 | 37.9 | 15.7% | 39.1% | 11.6% | 1954 | $1,222 | 20.1% | 81.1% | 2.0% |
| Sayles Boulevard Area | 2.16 | 49.5 | 14.7% | 36.6% | 18.2% | 1945 | $1,199 | 28.7% | 87.2% | 2.0% |
| Far Southside | 2.76 | 34.8 | 7.5% | 42.7% | 5.8% | 2002 | $1,962 | 39.2% | 96.1% | 1.3% |
| Westwood Richland | 2.96 | 37.9 | 14.5% | 30.6% | 10.6% | 1960 | $1,246 | 18.5% | 85.5% | 1.8% |
| Cobb Park Area | 2.65 | 32.1 | 28.0% | 43.6% | 19.3% | 1953 | $1,035 | 11.8% | 78.8% | 2.8% |
| Sears Park Area | 2.71 | 35.4 | 24.3% | 54.3% | 14.4% | 1962 | $1,000 | 12.9% | 76.7% | 2.7% |
| North College | 2.64 | 23.9 | 28.4% | 54.0% | 22.0% | 1953 | $886 | 18.2% | 88.1% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: South Burlington North, South Burlington, VT · Fairview, Anchorage, AK · Fishers Landing East, Vancouver, WA · Floresta Gardens-Bradrick, San Leandro, CA · Franklin Randolph, Boise, ID · Meridian Park, Shoreline, WA · Newhallville, New Haven, CT · Periwinkle, Albany, OR · Prattville, Chelsea, MA · Shannon Park, Charlotte, NC
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 Park Central Area. 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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