Central is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in western Carter County, Tennessee, United States.

[5] It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.

According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2000 the CDP had a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), all of it land.

There were 1,259 housing units at an average density of 293.5 per square mile (113.3/km2).

27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.