Center blends small-town charms with an industrious base
Center is a small city offering buyers plenty of outdoor spaces, a walkable downtown and a selection of single-family homes. Sitting at the center of Shelby County, where the community derives its name, the county seat has some manufacturing sites belonging to Hallmark Cards and Portacool and a Tyson Foods poultry plant. Despite the industrial presence, the area still maintains a rural and tight-knit feel. “What I usually tell people is we have clean air, low crime, wide open spaces and friendly people,” says Laura Butler Rowe, the broker and owner of Action Team Realtors of Center, with over 30 years of experience. “We have lots of rural properties, lots of farms and a lot of [small] businesses. We have a really unique center square.”
Lower-cost housing with plenty of styles to choose from
Homes in Center vary from Bungalows and ranch-styles to New Traditionals and Farmhouse-styles. The median price is $172,000, lower than the national and state medians. However, depending on age and condition, properties can typically run between $100,000 and $700,000. Inventory also tends to move more slowly, spending an average of 108 days on the market, compared to the national average of 52.
Properties are typically on gridded streets with larger lots with oaks and pines accenting lawns. Homes with more acreage and farmsteads are on the outskirts of Center. Manufactured home communities are also present.
Rowe says that Center has attracted a mix of workers for the local industry and Shelby County’s oil and gas production, as well as ‘snowbirds’ from the Midwest and people from California.
Center Independent School District serves public school student
Students can attend the Center Independent School District, rated B-plus on Niche. They can start at B-minus-graded F.L. Moffett Primary School for pre-kindergarten through second grade and continue to Center Elementary for third through fifth grade, which earns a B-minus. Center Middle and Center High both receive a B-plus, with the latter offering career courses in business, health science and agriculture.
Parks, theatre and events form the backbone of Center’s fun
Green spaces include Portacool park, featuring basketball courts, a soccer field and a playground. The 45-acre Center Park has baseball and softball diamonds and a fishing pier. Perry Sampson Park offers basketball courts and a pavilion. The Center Country Club, north of downtown, is open to the public and has a 9-hole, 3,200-yard layout. The Shelby County Museum has exhibits and artifacts on local history. The Rio Theatre has been in town for almost a century and frequently shows films.
Annual events include the East Texas Poultry Festival in October. The multiday celebration of the local poultry industry features a 5K race, a car show and live music.
Dining and shopping along Hurst and Tenaha Streets
Restaurants are primarily along Hurst Street and Tenaha Street and include a mix of chain and local spots. T/R’s Steaks & More features a buffet. Diamond B Cafe has breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches. Estrella Restaurant serves Mexican dishes.
The locale has several large retailers, including Bealls and Walmart, as well as an H&S Discount Foods. Dollar stores and independent grocers are also present.
Weather and environment in Center
Maps show a risk of flooding in parts of the Center. Tornadoes and severe storms can be present. Rowe says that smells can be omitted from the Tyson Foods plant.
State and U.S. highways are the main routes out, with airports further
Center does not have any public transit links and is car-dependent. Highway 7 leads to Nacogdoches, 33 miles west, while U.S. Highway 96 leads to Carthage, 27 miles north. Shreveport Regional Airport is 57 miles northeast, while East Texas Regional is 59 miles northwest.
Nacogdoches Medical Center provides an emergency center and imaging clinic south of downtown.
