[4] Long an unincorporated suburb of Baton Rouge, the citizens of Central voted to incorporate as a city on April 23, 2005,[5] despite opposition from the parish.

Businessman Russell Starns headed the incorporation movement, saying it was based on residents' desire to establish a school system separate from that of East Baton Rouge Parish.

The Louisiana State Legislature allowed Central to operate a separate school system only after the city incorporated.

[6] Former Central High School principal Shelton "Mac" Watts became the temporary mayor upon the incorporation of the city.

[citation needed] In November 2006, the voters of the state passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the creation of the Central Community School District.

[7] On January 9, 2007, Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed the interim members of the new Central Community School Board.

[9] Mayor Jr. Shelton stated that the number of people living in Central who were affected by the flooding was 25,000.

Louisiana Highway 408 passes through the center of Central, leading west 7 miles (11 km) to Interstate 110 in the northern part of Baton Rouge.

[10] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 29,565 people, 10,233 households, and 7,781 families residing in the city.

The city government does not pay to maintain many of the roads as they are owned by the State of Louisiana and/or East Baton Rouge Parish.