The community was originally named Giles City after land owner Stelle Giles. J. Hamilton bought the land from Giles then changed the name to Claflin in honor of the maiden name of his wife. Claflin was first settled in 1887 after the Missouri Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. The city was incorporated in 1901.
As of the census of 2010, there were 645 people, 267 households, and 175 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 299 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population. There were 267 households of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couplesliving together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 42.6 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 705 people, 280 households, and 189 families living in the city. The population density was 2,120.3 people per square mile. There were 316 housing units at an average density of 950.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.43% White, 0.14% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population. There were 280 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.22. In the city, the population was spread out with 30.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,521, and the median income for a family was $35,417. Males had a median income of $29,659 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,819. About 2.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The community is served by Central Plains USD 112public school district. The Central Plains High School mascot is the "Oilers" and current Principal is Toby Holmes. Prior to a consolidation, the school & mascot were known as the Claflin High School "Wildcats". As the Claflin Wildcats, they won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DII football championship in 1991 and 1992 as well as the 2-1A football championship in 1997, 1998 and 1999. The Central Plains Oilers won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DI football championship in 2014, and again in 2018 after an undefeated season, finishing 13–0 with the Kansas State Ranking of #1 for their classification, and a National ranking of #8 in the country. They have also won 5 straight KSHSAA 2A girls basketball titles dating back to 2014. Historic feat: In the 2017-2018 basketball season, the girls varsity basketball team had an undefeated season and went on to win the State Championship in Manhattan, Kansas. Not to be outdone, the boys varsity basketball team had an undefeated season also, and went on to with the State Championship in Manhattan, Kansas too. Within the same season, both teams finished the season 26–0, as each took home the Kansas State Championship trophy for their classification.
