Central
Central is where El Paso still acts like a border city instead of a suburb pretending otherwise. The bones are older here, Sunset Heights, Kern Place, Mission Hills, with brick bungalows climbing toward the Franklins and downtown's slow rehab finally producing somewhere to walk after dark. UTEP anchors the west end, which keeps the rental stock honest and the coffee shops crowded past 22:00. The tradeoff is real: housing skews older, parking gets theatrical near campus, and not every block has shaken off the long downtown lull. But if you want to live in El Paso rather than just near it, Central is the address.
Central by the numbers
Central runs male-heavy, about 53% men to 47% women.
Median individual income in Central is about $19,800.
Texas doesn’t register by party; by the 2024 presidential vote El Paso County leaned Democratic, about 57% Harris to 42% Trump - one of the bluest big counties in red Texas.
The median renter in Central pays about $900 a month.
About 2,700 Central residents ages 22 to 50 are single.
Local date spots
- CentralDining
L & J Cafe
- CentralCafés
787 Coffee
- CentralCafés
Coffee Box
- CentralDrinks
The District Pub & Kitchen
- CentralDining
Ambar Restaurante
- CentralDrinks
Coconuts
- CentralDining
The Junction Brunch House
- CentralCafés
District Coffee Co.
- CentralCafés
Glia's Coffee Co.
- CentralDrinks
Timmy'z Central
- CentralDrinks
Monarch
- CentralActivity
Roaring Rage Room & Axe Throwing
LGBTQ+ friendlyWheelchair access - CentralActivity
International Museum of Art
Wheelchair access - CentralDining
Neighbor Good Kitchen & Bar