AbstractCentral compact objects (CCOs) are neutron stars that are found near the center of supernova remnants, and their association with supernova remnants indicates these neutron stars are young (≲ 10⁴ yr). Here we review the observational properties of CCOs and discuss implications, especially their inferred magnetic fields. X-ray timing and spectral measurements suggest CCOs have relatively weak surface magnetic fields (~ 10¹⁰ − 10¹¹ G). We argue that, rather than being created with intrinsically weak fields, CCOs are born with strong fields and we are only seeing a weak surface field that is transitory and evolving. This could imply that CCOs are one manifestation in a unified picture of neutron stars.