Centralia is a city in Boone County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,541 at the 2020 census, with an estimated population of 4,244 in 2018. A very small portion of the city lies in Audrain County. The Boone County portion of Centralia (which forms the majority of the city) is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area, while a small part in Audrain County is part of the Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Centralia ranks

All →

#6Highest graduation rate in MO #27Cheapest rent in MO #19Safest in MO All MO rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code65240

Area code573

Living in Centralia

Housing in Centralia

$281K▲ 5.6% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Centralia home is worth about $281,000, up 5.6% in a year, close to the Missouri typical home.

A strong seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market32

Sold in May11

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Centralia

B⁺

Safety Grade B+

Centralia reports less crime per resident than 70% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Centralia 0.4

Missouri 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Centralia 6

Missouri 16.9

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Centralia

Full picture →

About one in 5 of Centralia’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Columbia (39%), Mexico (4%) and Jefferson City (4%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Columbia

39%

Mexico

Jefferson City

Fulton

22%Work in townlive and work in Centralia 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,758Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Centralia →

Health in Centralia

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 50% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 68% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Missouri

≈Just like Missouri

No difference on any of 32 measures is outside the margin of error.

Conditions all close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

Nothing stands out: Centralia tracks Missouri closely.

Care nearby

Boone Hospital CenterColumbia · 20.5 mi · ER

Arthur Center Community HealthMexico · 14 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Centralia · CMS · HRSAHealth in Centralia →

Natural hazards in Centralia

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 50% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌡️ Heat waves

0Does Centralia flood?no paid flood claims on record 8Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Centralia

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Centralia →

Climate in Centralia

Full climate →

Centralia has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 20°, and about 15 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

40° / 23°Winter

64° / 43°Spring

85° / 65°Summer

66° / 45°Fall

How much snow does Centralia get?About 15 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 25, with the last in spring around Apr 11.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Centralia →

Schools in Centralia

All Centralia schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Centralia’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 79% of Missouri’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#72Best public schoolsof 226 in MO

DistrictCENTRALIA R-VISchools4

Chance Elem.Elementary · Grades PK–2 · 370 students Centralia Intermediate B+Elementary · Grades 3–5 · 273 students Chester Boren Middle BMiddle · Grades 6–8 · 302 students Centralia High AHigh · Grades 9–12 · 398 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MO. Ratings are from neighbors.