At a Glance
Median Income
$75,833
$37,232 per capita
Home Value
$148,300
Zillow: $188,956
Median Rent
$620/mo
25.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
20.6%
93.8% high school+
Unemployment
1.0%
0.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.2%
17.2% smoking rate
How Clay Center Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Clay Center's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Clay Center a Good Place to Live?
A
4.0 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Clay Center residents earn a median household income of $75,833 , which is 1% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $37,232. The unemployment rate stands at 1.0% (72% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 276 business establishments, including 9 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Clay Center is $148,300 , 47% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $188,956. Median rent is $620/month, with 25.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 90.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1953.
Education
20.6% of adults in Clay Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(39% below the national average).
93.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 29.8 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population750
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density1,027/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born2.4%
Veterans5.6%
Economy
A+
Median Income$75,833
Per Capita$37,232
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty0.9%
County GDP$469M
Avg Weekly Wage$996
Housing
A+
Home Value$148,300
Rent$620
Ownership82.1%
Zillow$188,956
Housing Units352
Rent Burden25.9%
Health
Obesity41.2%
Diabetes9.7%
Smoking17.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death5,142/100K
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
Rain29.8 in/yr
Elevation1,781 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+20.6%
High School+93.8%
Graduate+7.0%
School Score5.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute21 min
Broadband84.3%
Internet Speed19 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries4
Did You Know?
Clay Center was founded in 1879.
The median home in Clay Center was built in 1953.
The nearest airport is Central Nebraska Regional (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.426 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
13.7% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.