Clay Center, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay Center, Kansas had a total population of 4,132, the 73rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $62,695, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Clay Center Quick Facts
How Clay Center Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,148 | 4,132 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $56,422 | $62,695 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $133,600 | $143,600 | +7.5% |
How Clay Center Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Center Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
Cities Similar to Clay Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugoton | 3,974 | $62,773 | $120,900 | 21.6% | 15.8% |
| Osawatomie | 4,182 | $66,991 | $155,100 | 11.7% | 16.6% |
| Russell | 4,217 | $56,832 | $135,600 | 19.0% | 17.8% |
| Goodland | 4,121 | $52,258 | $112,700 | 18.1% | 11.7% |
| Scott City | 3,800 | $54,880 | $162,200 | 30.7% | 2.8% |
Population Overview
Clay Center is a small community located in Kansas, within Clay County. The total population is 4,132. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay Center is 42.3 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 12.8% 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 is $62,695. This is 16% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $143,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Clay Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay Center, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clay Center, Kansas?
Clay Center, Kansas has a population of 4,132 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay Center, KS?
The median household income in Clay Center is $62,695, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clay Center, KS?
The poverty rate in Clay Center is 13.1%. This means approximately 522 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay Center, Kansas?
Clay Center's population is 89.4% White, 4.1% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay Center, KS?
The median home value in Clay Center is $143,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Clay Center, Kansas?
23.4% of adults (25+) in Clay Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.