Central, SC Demographics

A map of Central's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,255	3,375	61.2%	64.3%
Multiracial	683	216	12.8%	4.1%
Black	570	911	10.7%	17.4%
Asian	474	305	8.9%	5.8%
Hispanic	328	387	6.2%	7.4%
Native American/Other	10	53	0.2%	1.0%

Central, South Carolina has an estimated population of 5,320, a slight increase from the 5,247 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.2% White, 12.8% Multiracial, 10.7% Black, 8.9% Asian, 6.2% Hispanic, 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 has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than South Carolina 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 54.5% in 2020 and 58.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Central is ranked the 100th most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 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 101st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Central's White Population

3,255 residents of Central, or 61.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Central is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Central ranks 219th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's White population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. White residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 64.3% to 61.2%.

Central is less White than neighboring Cateechee (83.4% White), Norris (93.1% White), Clemson (76.9% White), Clemson University (83% White), and Pendleton (74% White).

Central's Black Population

570 residents of Central, or 10.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Central is considerably lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Central ranks 294th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Black population has declined by an estimated 37.4%. Black residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 17.4% to 10.7%.

Central is more Black than neighboring Cateechee (7.5% Black), Norris (1.8% Black), Clemson (8.1% Black), and Clemson University (9.4% Black). Central is less Black than neighboring Pendleton (19.1% Black).

Central's Asian Population

474 residents of Central, or 8.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Central is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Central ranks 7th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Asian population has grown by an estimated 55.4%. Asian residents' share of Central's population has increased from 5.8% to 8.9%.

Central is more Asian than neighboring Cateechee (0% Asian), Norris (0% Asian), Clemson (5.3% Asian), Clemson University (1.3% Asian), and Pendleton (1.5% Asian).

Central's Hispanic Population

328 residents of Central, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Central is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Central ranks 104th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 15.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 7.4% to 6.2%.

Central is more Hispanic than neighboring Cateechee (1.4% Hispanic), Norris (2.9% Hispanic), Clemson (3% Hispanic), Clemson University (4.3% Hispanic), and Pendleton (0% Hispanic).

Central's Native American/Other Population

10 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 South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Central ranks 119th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 81.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.2%.

Central is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cateechee (0% Native American/Other), and Norris (0% Native American/Other). Central is less Native American/Other than neighboring Clemson (0.8% Native American/Other), Clemson University (0.9% Native American/Other), and Pendleton (0.4% Native American/Other).

Central's Multiracial Population

683 residents of Central, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Central is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Central ranks 154th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 216.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Central's population has increased from 4.1% to 12.8%.

Central is more Multiracial than neighboring Cateechee (7.6% Multiracial), Norris (2.2% Multiracial), Clemson (6% Multiracial), Clemson University (1.2% Multiracial), and Pendleton (5.1% 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.