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CITY

Clay Center

Nebraska · 730 residents (2025 est.) · 0.731 sq mi
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The short version

Clay Center has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $82,500. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $141,300. Poverty is rare here, at 4.1% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
802
−7%since 2000
from 861 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,097 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 1,178 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.1
−1%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:730 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7227607988368741990201020202024Clay Center
2024802
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,500
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,597 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,073
+117%since 2000
from $17,577 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.8%
+34.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.1%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.367
+9%since 2010
from 0.338 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing17.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction17.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade11.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,300
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$625
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.7%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.4% in 2000
14.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.1%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+9%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay Center on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95%(818)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino3%(26)
Asian0.9%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.2%(88)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.5%(686)
Black1%(8)
Hispanic / Latino8%(64)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other5.4%(43)
Diversity Score32.4%(260)
Diversity Score
32
+218%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 94.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+29%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 76.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.2%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.3%
−21.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.5%
−46.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2012
from 10.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
−78.8 ptssince 2013
from 84.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.2%
+15.4 ptssince 2017
from 76.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.8%
−3.7 ptssince 2016
from 95.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Clay Center to nearby cities

CLAY CENTER VS
Hastings
Income$64,048−22%
Home value$184,700+31%
Population25,121+3341%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY CENTER VS
Grand Island
Income$63,795−23%
Home value$218,600+55%
Population53,943+7289%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY CENTER VS
York
Income$63,265−23%
Home value$180,900+28%
Population8,284+1035%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY CENTER VS
Kearney
Income$69,724−15%
Home value$244,600+73%
Population34,782+4665%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay Center, Nebraska?

Clay Center, Nebraska has about 802 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clay Center, Nebraska earns about $82,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay Center, Nebraska expensive?

In Clay Center, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $141,300, and the typical rent is about $625 a month.

How educated are people in Clay Center, Nebraska?

About 18.7% of adults age 25 and over in Clay Center, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay Center, Nebraska?

About 4.1% of people in Clay Center, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay Center, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay Center, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 23 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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