Clay Center, Kansas

Clay Center, Kansas
City and county seat
Clay County Courthouse (2006)
Location within Clay County and Kansas
KDOT map of Clay County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°22′48″N97°07′23″W / 39.38000°N 97.12306°W / 39.38000; -97.12306 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Clay
Founded	1862
Incorporated	1875
Government
•  Mayor	James Thatcher
Area [2]
• Total	3.19 sq mi (8.27 km2)
• Land	3.19 sq mi (8.26 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,204 ft (367 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	4,199
• Density	1,300/sq mi (510/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67432
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-13625
GNIS ID	485555 [1]
Website	cityofclaycenter.com

Clay Center is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 4,199. ^[3]

History

Clay Center was first settled in 1862. ^[4] It was named from its position near the geographical center of Clay County. ^[5]

The first post office was established in Clay Center on July 3, 1862. ^[6]

Clay Center was located on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.08 square miles (7.98 km²), all of it land. ^[8] 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 1,224 mi (1,970 km) from Clay Center. ^[9]

Climate

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. ^[10]

Climate data for Clay Center, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	77 (25)	85 (29)	93 (34)	99 (37)	105 (41)	116 (47)	116 (47)	117 (47)	111 (44)	101 (38)	88 (31)	76 (24)	117 (47)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	61.5 (16.4)	68.1 (20.1)	79.1 (26.2)	85.9 (29.9)	92.2 (33.4)	97.9 (36.6)	102.3 (39.1)	101.1 (38.4)	95.9 (35.5)	87.8 (31.0)	73.3 (22.9)	63.6 (17.6)	103.6 (39.8)
Average high °F (°C)	38.7 (3.7)	43.7 (6.5)	55.3 (12.9)	65.7 (18.7)	75.7 (24.3)	86.0 (30.0)	91.1 (32.8)	88.6 (31.4)	80.8 (27.1)	68.2 (20.1)	53.4 (11.9)	41.6 (5.3)	65.7 (18.7)
Daily mean °F (°C)	28.3 (−2.1)	32.5 (0.3)	43.1 (6.2)	53.4 (11.9)	64.5 (18.1)	74.9 (23.8)	79.8 (26.6)	77.2 (25.1)	68.9 (20.5)	55.9 (13.3)	42.1 (5.6)	31.5 (−0.3)	54.3 (12.4)
Average low °F (°C)	17.8 (−7.9)	21.3 (−5.9)	30.8 (−0.7)	41.2 (5.1)	53.4 (11.9)	63.7 (17.6)	68.4 (20.2)	65.8 (18.8)	56.9 (13.8)	43.6 (6.4)	30.9 (−0.6)	21.4 (−5.9)	42.9 (6.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−1.1 (−18.4)	3.7 (−15.7)	12.9 (−10.6)	26.0 (−3.3)	38.1 (3.4)	51.3 (10.7)	57.0 (13.9)	55.1 (12.8)	41.5 (5.3)	26.6 (−3.0)	15.4 (−9.2)	4.0 (−15.6)	−4.7 (−20.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−23 (−31)	−35 (−37)	−15 (−26)	7 (−14)	21 (−6)	39 (4)	45 (7)	38 (3)	25 (−4)	13 (−11)	−6 (−21)	−24 (−31)	−35 (−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.72 (18)	1.09 (28)	1.94 (49)	2.83 (72)	4.90 (124)	4.50 (114)	3.98 (101)	4.13 (105)	2.89 (73)	2.24 (57)	1.49 (38)	1.14 (29)	31.85 (808)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	3.1 (7.9)	2.0 (5.1)	0.8 (2.0)	0.6 (1.5)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)	0.9 (2.3)	3.2 (8.1)	10.8 (27.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.9	4.3	5.7	7.9	10.1	8.4	8.5	8.1	6.3	6.1	4.8	3.8	77.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	1.9	1.7	0.7	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.6	1.6	6.9
Source 1: NOAA [11]
Source 2: National Weather Service [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	1,753		—
1890	2,802		59.8%
1900	3,069		9.5%
1910	3,438		12.0%
1920	3,715		8.1%
1930	4,386		18.1%
1940	4,518		3.0%
1950	4,528		0.2%
1960	4,613		1.9%
1970	4,963		7.6%
1980	4,948		−0.3%
1990	4,613		−6.8%
2000	4,564		−1.1%
2010	4,334		−5.0%
2020	4,199		−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 4,334 people, 1,920 households, and 1,172 families living in the city. The population density was 1,407.1 inhabitants per square mile (543.3/km²). There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of 700.6 per square mile (270.5/km²). 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.

2000 census

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 1,762.4 inhabitants per square mile (680.5/km²). There were 2,191 housing units at an average density of 846.0 per square mile (326.6/km²). 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.

Arts and culture

The Piotique Festival is an annual pioneer and antique festival, featuring food, crafts, activities, live entertainment, and dancing. ^[14]

Government

The Clay Center government consists of a mayor and eight council members, which meets twice a month.

Education

Clay Center Carnegie Library (2015)

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.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Clay County, Kansas

• Herb Bradley, professional baseball player
• Tracy Claeys, Washington State football defensive coordinator and former University of Minnesota football head coach
• Warren Henry Cole, surgeon who pioneered X-ray use in medicine
• George Docking, former governor of Kansas
• Steve Doocy, host for Fox News, Fox & Friends TV talk show; author
• Tenney Frank, noted scholar and historian
• Nicole Ohlde, basketball player and WNBA player
• Otto D. Unruh, two-time Bethel College football coach and 21-year coaching career at Clay Center Kansas High School
• William D. Vincent, United States Representative

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Clay Center, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Clay Center, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
4. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  361.
5. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp.  160.
6. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
7. "Geohydrology of Clay County". Kansas Geological Survey. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
9. ""As The Crow Flies" Distance Calculator". Tjpeiffer.
10. Climate Summary for Clay Center, Kansas
11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Clay CTR, KS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
12. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Topeka". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
14. "Piotique Celebration | Clay Center Chamber of Commerce".

Further reading

• Kansas portal

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

See also: List of books about Clay County, Kansas

External links

• Clay Center - official
• Clay Center - Directory of Public Officials
• Clay Center Chamber
• Clay Center city map, KDOT