Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Center, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

5,271

Median Agei

33.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

37.7%1,988

Black

29.8%1,573

Hispanic/Latino

25.1%1,325

Two or More

3.4%180

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

3.4%177

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.4%19

Asian

0.2%9

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.1%192

High School Diploma

39%1,224

Some College (<1 yr)

13.6%427

Some College (1+ yr)

12.1%380

Associate's Degree

3.6%112

Bachelor's Degree

8.1%254

Master's Degree

3.2%100

Professional Degree

0.7%22

Doctorate

0.3%10

HS or Higher

86.8%

BA or Higher

12.3%

Graduate+

4.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$83,300

Median Renti

$823

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

56.5%1,104

Renter-Occupied

43.5%850

Total Units

2,262

Homeownership

56.5%

Vacancy Rate

13.6%

Rent Distribution

Under $500

101

$500–$750

183

$750–$1,000

172

$1,000–$1,250

300

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

Year Built

2020 or later

0.5%12

2010–2019

8.4%191

2000–2009

12.2%275

1990–1999

10.3%234

1980–1989

24.5%555

1970–1979

19.8%448

1960–1969

8.1%183

1950–1959

10.9%246

1940–1949

1.3%29

1939 or earlier

3.9%89

Heating Fuel

Electricity

74.9%1,464

Utility Gas

21.5%421

Bottled/LP Gas

2.1%42

Wood

1.4%27

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$48,293

Mean Household Incomei

$57,886

Per Capita Incomei

$21,106

Poverty Ratei

25.5%

Unemploymenti

10.3%

Labor Forcei

2,157

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

4578.7%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

448

Workforce

Total Employed

1,934

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

175(4.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

74%Insured

26%Uninsured