Median Income
$75,833
1% higher than US avg
Home Value
$148,300
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
20.6%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$620
47% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
0.9%
93% lower than US avg
How Clay Center Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population750
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density1,027/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Economy
A+
Median Income$75,833
Per Capita$37,232
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty0.9%
County GDP$469M
Commute21 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$148,300
Rent$620
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$176,287
Health
Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.1%
Heart Disease5.8%
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain29.8 in/yr
Elevation1,781 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+20.6%
High School+93.8%
School Score5.81
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute21 min
Libraries4
Is Clay Center a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Clay Center receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Clay Center stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Clay Center is $75,833, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 0.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Clay Center is $148,300, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $620 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
20.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.
Climate & Weather
Clay Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches, including 18.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Clay Center has a population of 750 with a density of 1,027 people per square mile. The median age is 39.7 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.
Population
39.7yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Clay Center vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 97.2% |
| 24% above US avg |
| Spanish | 2.8% |
| 79% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Clay Center vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Clay Center is $75,833, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Income: Clay Center vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $75,833 |
| 1% above US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $37,232 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $996 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $80,128 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.7% |
| 81% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 0.9% |
| 93% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 276 |
| County GDP | $469M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 9 |
| Healthcare | 13 |
| Retail | 19 |
| Manufacturing | 4 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,829 |
| 9% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.58% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 20.9 min |
| Work from Home | 5.3% |
The median home value in Clay Center is $148,300, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $620 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $176,287.
Home Values
| Census Median | $148,300 |
| 47% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $176,287 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $620 |
| 47% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $706 |
| 1 Bedroom | $791 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,001 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,274 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,409 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,829 |
| 9% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.58% |
In Clay Center, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.1% report depression. 27.2% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Clay Center vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 41.2% |
| 28% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.7% |
| Heart Disease | 5.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.8% |
| Asthma | 9.9% |
| COPD | 6.6% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 22.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.2% |
| Depression | 19.1% |
| Mental Distress | 16.2% |
| Physical Distress | 12.5% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 95.9% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 73.1% |
| Premature Death | 5,142/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 39.9% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 13 |
Crime Rates: Clay Center vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
Safety Score
Clay Center has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 29.8 inches |
| 22% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 18.5 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,781 ft (543 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,027/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5255°N, 98.0550°W |
| County FIPS | 31035 |