Central, TN Demographics

A map of Central's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,875	1,933	96.7%	91.4%
Native American/Other	32	10	1.7%	0.5%
Hispanic	18	29	0.9%	1.4%
Multiracial	13	112	0.7%	5.3%
Black	0	13	0.0%	0.6%
Asian	0	17	0.0%	0.8%

Central, Tennessee has an estimated population of 1,938, a decrease from the 2,114 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 96.7% White, 1.7% Native American/Other, 0.9% Hispanic, 0.7% Multiracial, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Asian. 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 considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Tennessee 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 16.1% in 2020 and 6.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Central is ranked the 222nd most populous place in Tennessee, out of 504 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 195th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Central's White Population

1,875 residents of Central, or 96.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Central is significantly higher than in Tennessee overall, where 71% of the population is White. Central ranks 167th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's White population has declined by an estimated 3.0%. White residents' share of Central's population has increased from 91.4% to 96.7%.

Central is more White than neighboring Pine Crest (91.3% White), Watauga (85.9% White), Elizabethton (89.6% White), Biltmore (94.7% White), and Johnson City (81.8% White).

Central's Black Population

0 residents of Central, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Central is significantly lower than in Tennessee overall, where 15.4% of the population is Black. Central ranks 380th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

Central is less Black than neighboring Pine Crest (2.9% Black), Watauga (5.4% Black), Elizabethton (4% Black), and Johnson City (5.8% Black).

Central's Asian Population

0 residents of Central, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Central is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 1.9% of the population is Asian. Central ranks 149th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.

Central is less Asian than neighboring Elizabethton (0.4% Asian), and Johnson City (2% Asian).

Central's Hispanic Population

18 residents of Central, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Central is lower than in Tennessee overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Central ranks 417th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 37.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Central's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Central is less Hispanic than neighboring Pine Crest (4.5% Hispanic), Watauga (7.6% Hispanic), Elizabethton (2.4% Hispanic), Biltmore (3.2% Hispanic), and Johnson City (5.4% Hispanic).

Central's Native American/Other Population

32 residents of Central, or 1.7% 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 Tennessee overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Central ranks 282nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 220.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Central's population has increased from 0.5% to 1.7%.

Central is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pine Crest (0% Native American/Other), Watauga (0% Native American/Other), Elizabethton (0.3% Native American/Other), Biltmore (0.1% Native American/Other), and Johnson City (0.7% Native American/Other).

Central's Multiracial Population

13 residents of Central, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Central is slightly lower than in Tennessee overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Central ranks 71st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 88.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Central's population has decreased from 5.3% to 0.7%.

Central is less Multiracial than neighboring Pine Crest (1.4% Multiracial), Watauga (1.1% Multiracial), Elizabethton (3.3% Multiracial), Biltmore (2% Multiracial), and Johnson City (4.3% 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.