Centralia: Demographics & People
Centralia's population stands at 11,856 people, in 5,094 households. Population shrank 1.3% from 12,009 (2022) to 11,856 (2024). Median age 39.1 years. (2.4y younger than Marion County; 1.4y older than Illinois). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 81% White (non-Hispanic) and 7% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.28). 52% of households are family-led. County is losing 451 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Illinois avg 2.5).
- 48% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Illinois 38%).
- 87 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Illinois 64).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 1.3% from 12,009 (2022) to 11,856 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~11,705 (extrapolated at -0.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 11,508.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 36,899 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -1.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 12,009 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 11,856 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 11,856 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Population Estimate | 11,508 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 39.1y is 0.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 39.1 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 24.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 11,856 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,891 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 2,548.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 3,802.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,615 |
| Population under 18 | 2,891 |
| Median age | 39.1 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 11,856 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.28 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 9,883 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,161 |
| Asian residents | 194 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 471 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 27.6% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.4% |
| Asian population | 1.6% (vs Illinois 6.1%) |
| Black population | 6.9% (vs Illinois 9.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.9% (vs Illinois 17.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 80.7% (vs Illinois 54.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 9,277 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 2,127 |
| Share born in this state | 78.2% |
| Share born in another state | 21.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 17.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 409 |
| From Europe | 24 |
| From Africa | 213 |
| From Latin America | 43 |
Households & Family Composition
5,094 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 52% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,684 families, 26% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 2,811 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,684 |
| Married couples with children | 706 |
| Single-parent households | 80 |
| Average household size | 2.20 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 93 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 30 |
| Family households | 2,671 households (vs Illinois 9,709) |
| Households that are families | 52.4% (vs Illinois 62.4%) |
| Total households | 5,094 households (vs Illinois 14,867) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 10.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 451 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 34,599 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 35,050 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -451 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,147 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 9.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 591 residents live in group quarters (5.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 591 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 15 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 17027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 17 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Clinton |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 11.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 8.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 17027 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Clinton County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,012 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 17027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Clinton County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 66.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 61.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 52.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 37,562 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 15 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 5 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 24.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 11,856, declining, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 11,856 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Town Summary · County | Clinton County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade