Clay Center city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Clay Center city is a small community located in Kansas, within Clay County. The total population is 4,148. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clay Center city is 42.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 14.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clay Center city is $56,422. This is 22% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $133,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Clay Center city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Clay Center city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Clay Center city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.