Clay Center was first settled in 1862. It was named from its position near the geographical center of Clay County. The first post office was established in Clay Center on July 3, 1862. Clay Center was located on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads.
Geography
Clay Center is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all of it land. 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 from Clay Center.
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,334 people, 1,920 households, and 1,172 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of. 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 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 people per square mile. There were 2,191 housing units at an average density of 846.0 per square mile. 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 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.
Area events
Piotique Festival - Held each year on the last Saturday of September, Piotique is a portmanteau of Pioneer and Antique. Each year, hundreds of people come to Clay Center. Participants enjoy food vendors, craft booths, activities, live entertainment, and dancing on the Clay County Courthouse lawn. The festival kicks off downtown at 7:30 AM with the Piotique Road race.
Government
The Clay Center government consists of a mayor and eight council members, which meets twice a month.
