The French-based European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reports the 4.2 magnitude quake struck at 2:12 p.m. Central European Time 11 miles west-southwest of the city of Perugia, where the shaking was felt most strongly.
Television reports from Perugia showed bricks scattered in the street and some damage to walls.
Ten miles south of Perugia, in the village of Marsciano, about 500 residents of older buildings were evacuated after their homes sustained damage during the shaking.
They were being housed in a local gymnasium while building inspectors assessed the extent of the damage.
Many schools in the region were ordered closed through Wednesday so they could be checked for safety.
Parts of the Umbria region were rocked by a 6.3 magnitude quake in April that flattened buildings, especially in the city of L’Aquila. The quake disaster left tens of thousands of residents homeless for months.