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CITY

Clay Center

Kansas · 4,061 residents (2025 est.) · 3.191 sq mi
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The short version

Clay Center has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,695. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $143,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,132
−9%since 2000
from 4,564 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,295 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,430 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.3
−2%since 2000
from 43.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,061 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Clay Center
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,695
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,531 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,985
+72%since 2000
from $19,128 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.4%
+19.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.384
−17%since 2010
from 0.463 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade8.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Information7.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$143,600
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$983
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $320 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.3%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.2% in 2000
33.7% rent
Vacancy rate
7.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.8%
−10.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.3%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+37%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay Center on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(4,455)
Black0.6%(29)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(24)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.3%(153)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.4%(3,695)
Black4.1%(171)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(148)
Asian0.7%(29)
Other2.2%(89)
Diversity Score24.6%(1,017)
Diversity Score
25
+636%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+27%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 80.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 1.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.3%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.1%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
47.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
15.8%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2012
from 18.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−86.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.5%
+30.9 ptssince 2017
from 61.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Clay Center to nearby cities

CLAY CENTER VS
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Income$54,362−13%
Home value$222,100+55%
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CLAY CENTER VS
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Home value$171,500+19%
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CLAY CENTER VS
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Home value$246,700+72%
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CLAY CENTER VS
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Home value$173,200+21%
Population46,094+1035%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay Center, Kansas?

Clay Center, Kansas has about 4,132 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clay Center, Kansas?

The typical household in Clay Center, Kansas earns about $62,695 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay Center, Kansas expensive?

In Clay Center, Kansas, the median home is worth about $143,600, and the typical rent is about $983 a month.

How educated are people in Clay Center, Kansas?

About 23.4% of adults age 25 and over in Clay Center, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay Center, Kansas?

About 13.1% of people in Clay Center, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay Center, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay Center, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 481 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →