Town in Shelby County

Living in Center, TX

C-

476th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 36 of 100

Center earns a grade of C- on our index, 476th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for young professionals and people on a budget.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (6 of 100)
  • Safety scores low (7 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Center isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthCenter
Where Center is in Texas.
Population
5,246-1.7% since 2020
Median rent
$82341% lower than Texas
Median home value
$83,30071% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,293Median
Average commute
16 minOne way
Violent crime
653Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Center

Center is a town in Shelby County. 5,246 people lived here in 2025, down 1.7% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Local spots people know include Center Baseball Park, Center Mini Park and Portacool Park.

The median age is 33.3, 47% of households have children, 56% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,293 a year (38% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Center

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $823, 41% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.7 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 16 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Center

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 50% of the 4 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher violent crime. 653 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 68% higher than the Texas rate.
  • Higher unemployment. 10% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 26% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.

Who Center suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 50% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 68% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for families.
  • Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 38% lower than the Texas median, with 48 restaurants and 4 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 23% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 68% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 36% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $823 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $823 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for people on a budget.

Center report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Center with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade A

    Median rent $823, homes cost 1.7x income.

    94 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $48,293, 10% unemployed.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D+

    4 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    30 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade F

    653 violent crimes per 100k, 1,670 property crimes per 100k.

    7 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    7 grocery stores, 48 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.

    73 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 16 min, 1.9% work from home.

    86 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    12% have a bachelor’s degree.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    23% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    56% of homes owner-occupied.

    12 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    83% of homes have broadband.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

Where Center stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 29%23 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.7x52% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $82341% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $48,29338% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 26%12 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Center

Center renters pay a median of $823 a month, 41% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $33,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 29% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $878 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $83,300, 71% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $456 before tax, or $579 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Center pays $1,476 a year, 65% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in CenterStudio$7711 bedroom$8782 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Shelby County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent41% lower than Texas$823$1,403$1,413
Median home value71% lower than Texas$83,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income52% lower than Texas1.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent23 points lower than Texas29%52%51%
Median property tax per year65% lower than Texas$1,476$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them6 points lower than Texas56%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$579
Mortgage payment
$456
Property tax
$123
Median rent, for comparison
$823

Based on a $83,300 home in Center, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Center safe?

In 2025, Center Police Department reported 34 violent crimes and 87 property crimes. That works out to 653 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 68% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,670 property crimes per 100,000, 20% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 134% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Center by yearTexas65320212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
653
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,670
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Center by yearTexas1,67020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Center Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Center

Center has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Center ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
30
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
76
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BCenter High SchoolHigh, Center ISD81 of 100
  • BCenter MiddleMiddle, Center ISD80 of 100
  • CCenter ElementaryElementary, Center ISD72 of 100
  • CF L Moffett PriElementary, Center ISD72 of 100

Daily life in Center

Everyday places mapped inside Center, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Center Baseball Park, Center Mini Park, Portacool Park.

The average one-way commute is 16 minutes, 39% shorter than the Texas average. 2% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $48,293, income per person is $21,106, unemployment is 10% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
7
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
48
Cafes
4
Bars
2
Parks
5
Gyms
4
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income38% lower than Texas$48,293$78,476$80,734
Income per person48% lower than Texas$21,106$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points higher than Texas10%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points higher than Texas26%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas12%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas87%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points higher than Texas23%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas83%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute39% lower than Texas16 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home13 points lower than Texas1.9%14%15%
Workers who work from home1.9%
Workers who take transit0.2%
Workers who walk2.6%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Center

Under 1831%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6433%
65 and over15%

Median age 33.3 years. 47% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White38%
Hispanic or Latino25%
Black30%
Asian0.2%
Other or more than one race7.1%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Center

Center has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 97 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 56 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Center30°50°70°90°58J63F70M77A84M90J94J94A89S80O68N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Center, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingLow
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windVery high

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Center

Nearby, Tenaha gets a D+, Timpson gets a C and Garrison gets a C+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. D+TenahaTown, 1,239 people11 mi
  2. CTimpsonTown, 1,063 people15 mi
  3. C+GarrisonTown, 1,065 people19 mi
  4. FSan AugustineTown, 2,054 people19 mi
  5. C+CarthageTown, 6,601 people27 mi
  6. D-NacogdochesSmall city, 32,197 people30 mi

Living in Center: common questions

Is Center, TX a good place to live?

Center earns a grade of C- on our index, 476th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for young professionals and people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Center?

Renters in Center pay a median of $823 a month, 41% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $83,300, 71% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.7x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $579, including property tax.

Is Center safe?

In 2025, Center Police Department reported 653 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 68% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,670 per 100,000, 20% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Center?

We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Center. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 30 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Center flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Center as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Center?

Summers in Center peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 56 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Center?

The average one-way commute is 16 min, 39% lower than the Texas average. About 1.9% of workers work from home.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.