| Clay Center, Kansas | |
| Settlement Type: | City and county seat |
| Image Map1: | Map of Clay Co, Ks, USA.png |
| Map Caption1: | KDOT map of Clay County (legend) |
| Coordinates: | 39.38°N -97.1231°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kansas |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Clay |
| Subdivision Type3: | Township |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1862 |
| Established Title1: | Platted |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | 1875 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | James Thatcher |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 3.19 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 3.19 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Area Total Km2: | 8.27 |
| Area Land Km2: | 8.26 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.01 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Elevation Ft: | 1204 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 4199 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 67432 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 785 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 20-13625 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 485555 |
Clay Center is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 4,199.[2]
Clay Center was first settled in 1862.[3] It was named from its position near the geographical center of Clay County.[4]
The first post office was established in Clay Center on July 3, 1862.[5]
Clay Center was located on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads.[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.08sqmi, all of it land.[7] Clay Center is unique, because it is the geographic midpoint between Los Angeles, California and New York City, the two largest American cities. Both cities are exactly 1224miles from Clay Center.[8]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clay Center has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]
The 2020 United States census counted 4,199 people, 1,809 households, and 1,116 families in Clay Center.[10] The population density was 1,315.9 per square mile (508.1/km). There were 2,103 housing units at an average density of 659.0 per square mile (254.5/km).[11] [12] The racial makeup was 92.62% (3,889) white or European American (91.86% non-Hispanic white), 0.86% (36) black or African-American, 0.79% (33) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.79% (33) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.98% (41) from other races, and 3.98% (167) from two or more races.[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.02% (127) of the population.[14]
Of the 1,809 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18; 48.2% were married couples living together; 27.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.7.[15] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 15.7% of the population.[16]
23.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 109.1 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $43,191 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,863) and the median family income was $67,677 (+/- $6,899).[17] Males had a median income of $45,605 (+/- $9,734) versus $21,250 (+/- $3,104) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,169 (+/- $2,538).[18] Approximately, 8.9% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 1.2% of those ages 65 or over.[19] [20]
As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 4,334 people, 1,920 households, and 1,172 families living in the city. The population density was 1407.1PD/sqmi. There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of 700.6/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.8% of the population.
There were 1,920 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.0% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age in the city was 44.5 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,564 people, 1,979 households, and 1,258 families living in the city. The population density was 1762.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 2,191 housing units at an average density of 846sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% White, 0.64% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.53% of the population.
There were 1,979 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,531, and the median income for a family was $45,567. Males had a median income of $29,526 versus $16,149 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,128. About 5.9% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
The Piotique Festival is an annual pioneer and antique festival, featuring food, crafts, activities, live entertainment, and dancing.[22]
The Clay Center government consists of a mayor and eight council members, which meets twice a month.
The community is served by Clay County USD 379 public school district, and Clay Center Community High School.
The Clay Center Carnegie Library is the public library for this community.
See main article: List of people from Clay County, Kansas.