Central, LA Demographics

A map of Central's Population by Race

Central, Louisiana has an estimated population of 29,783, a less than 1% change from the 29,565 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.1% White, 9.8% Black, 5.6% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, 0.4% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Central, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Central is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Louisiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Central, that probability was 36.0% in 2020 and 35.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Central is ranked the 14th most populous place in Louisiana, out of 489 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Central was ranked the 14th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Central's White Population

23,558 residents of Central, or 79.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Central is significantly higher than in Louisiana overall, where 55.7% of the population is White. Central ranks 136th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Central's population has remained roughly unchanged at 79.1%.

Central is more White than neighboring Monticello (6.5% White), Brownfields (17.8% White), Merrydale (0.4% White), and Denham Springs (73.5% White). Central is less White than neighboring Watson (85.9% White).

Central's Black Population

2,915 residents of Central, or 9.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Central is significantly lower than in Louisiana overall, where 30.5% of the population is Black. Central ranks 323rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Black population has declined by an estimated 15.2%. Black residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 11.6% to 9.8%.

Central is more Black than neighboring Watson (0% Black). Central is less Black than neighboring Monticello (91.8% Black), Brownfields (72% Black), Merrydale (96.8% Black), and Denham Springs (10% Black).

Central's Asian Population

117 residents of Central, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Central is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Central ranks 139th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Asian population has declined by an estimated 49.4%. Asian residents' share of Central's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Central is more Asian than neighboring Monticello (0% Asian), Brownfields (0% Asian), Watson (0% Asian), Merrydale (0% Asian), and Denham Springs (0% Asian).

Central's Hispanic Population

1,660 residents of Central, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Central is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 7.2% of the population is Hispanic. Central ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 23.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Central's population has increased from 4.6% to 5.6%.

Central is more Hispanic than neighboring Monticello (0.5% Hispanic), Brownfields (1.8% Hispanic), and Merrydale (1.7% Hispanic). Central is less Hispanic than neighboring Watson (8.8% Hispanic), and Denham Springs (12.4% Hispanic).

Central's Native American/Other Population

54 residents of Central, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Central is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Central ranks 287th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 66.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Central's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Central is more Native American/Other than neighboring Watson (0% Native American/Other), and Merrydale (0.1% Native American/Other). Central is less Native American/Other than neighboring Monticello (0.4% Native American/Other), Brownfields (3.4% Native American/Other), and Denham Springs (0.3% Native American/Other).

Central's Multiracial Population

1,479 residents of Central, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Central is comparable to the share in Louisiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Central ranks 215th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 489 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 40.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Central's population has increased from 3.6% to 5.0%.

Central is more Multiracial than neighboring Monticello (0.8% Multiracial), Merrydale (1% Multiracial), and Denham Springs (3.8% Multiracial). Central is less Multiracial than neighboring Watson (5.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.