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Central City, KY
City in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
Population
5,707
Land area
5.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,077
ZIP codes
0
Central City and its ZIP codes
Central City at a glance
- Central City is about 9.4 times as dense as Kentucky as a whole.
- It is the 82nd most populous of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
- Households here earn a median of $50,885 a year, 20% less than the Kentucky figure of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $143,600 (30% below Kentucky) and median rent is $683 a month.
Local data for Central City, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Central City, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$50,885
Poverty rate
25.6%
Median home value
$143,600
Median rent
$683/mo
Homeownership
59.4%
Bachelor's or higher
5.7%
Median age
37.5
Average commute
24.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (439), German Americans (225), Scottish Americans (180).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Muhlenberg County. PPP loans are for Central City.
Unemployment rate
5.3%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,157
7,845 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,963
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$229M
FY 2026, $7,409 per person
How people get to work
Central City, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone92.7%
- Carpooled4.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home1.0%
Average one-way commute: 24.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Central City, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
799
Countywide, mostly flood
Flood insurance policies
25
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 24°F
50.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Crime in Central City
Central City Police Department, reported to the FBI for 2025
- Violent crime
- 139
- per 100,000 people · 65% of the KY rate
- Property crime
- 715
- per 100,000 people · 56% of the KY rate
Cities near Central City
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| CleatonCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 0.6 |
| South CarrolltonCity | 3.4 mi | 0.3 |
| PowderlyCity | 4.1 mi | 1.6 |
| GreenvilleCity | 6 mi | 5.1 |
| DrakesboroCity | 6.3 mi | 0.6 |
| RockportCity | 7.5 mi | 0.7 |
| BremenCity | 7.5 mi | 0.2 |
| BeechmontCensus-designated place | 9.4 mi | 1.8 |
| IslandCity | 11 mi | 0.3 |
| CentertownCity | 11 mi | 0.3 |
| SacramentoCity | 12 mi | 0.4 |
| McHenryCity | 12 mi | 0.6 |
| RochesterCity | 14 mi | 0.5 |
| LivermoreCity | 14 mi | 1 |
| Beaver DamCity | 16 mi | 3 |
| White PlainsCity | 16 mi | 3.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Central City, KY in?
- Central City is in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
- What is the population of Central City, KY?
- About 5,707 people live in Central City, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Central City?
- Nearby places include Cleaton (3.1 mi), South Carrollton (3.4 mi), Powderly (4.1 mi), Greenville (6 mi), Drakesboro (6.3 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023