Central spent less per resident in 2022 than 96% of similar cities
Central’s city government spent $13.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $455 per resident.
What stands out about how Central is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$384 per resident in 2022: less than 96% of them
Central’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($384 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 27 Louisiana cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,517, and the middle half spent $1,188–$1,752. Central spent less than 96% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Louisiana cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Central itself left out).
About $455 per resident a year, or $1.25 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 7%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 21% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Central reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $384 · 2023: $455.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $1,868 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.65% of the home’s value, vs 0.55% across Louisiana.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Central’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Central’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Central →
Who’s in charge in Central
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Central’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on centralgov.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 2,497 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2023 finance file (29,958).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Central Community School District
Central’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $12,525 per pupil, $6,814 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Louisiana districts overall: 47% local, 34% state, 19% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Central.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: centralgov.com ↗
- 2Louisiana HouseCentral is split between 2 districts
- 3Louisiana SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Louisiana
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Central compares with the towns next door
Central spent $384 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,113 to $2,052. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Zachary | $1,113 | $1,943 |
| Denham Springs | $2,052 | $713 |
| St. George | estimate | — |
| Central | $384 | $1,868 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Central’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Central’s government
How much does Central spend per resident?
About $455 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $384 was less than 96% of 27 Louisiana cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Central?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,868 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.65% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.55% across Louisiana. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see centralgov.com.
Who runs Central’s government?
See centralgov.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Central yet.
How many people work for Central?
12 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $24,949 (about $299,388 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Central in the state legislature?
Central is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Louisiana Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 6 (Rick Edmonds). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Central’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →