1st Advantage MortgageIn Clay County, Kansas, the typical household earns $66,176 a year and the typical rent is $937. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Clay County at a glance
- How Clay County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Clay County
- Renting and owning in Clay County
- The communities that make up Clay County
- Counties near Clay County
- Clay County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Clay County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Clay County median
- Four steps for Clay County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- More guides for Clay County
- Frequently asked questions
Clay County at a glance
Roughly 8,048 residents live in Clay County, Kansas, 47th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 645 square miles, that works out to roughly 12.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Clay County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside Clay County, Clay Center leads by population with about 4,132; 8 of the 9 are incorporated. Because Clay County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Clay County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Clay County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (11%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Clay County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% | -3.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +3.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -1.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Clay County
The median household income in Clay County is $66,176; statewide it is $74,275, so Clay County runs 11% below Kansas as a whole. That places it 42nd among Kansas's 105 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Clay County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.3% | +3.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.1% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -2.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Clay County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 13.4%, 2 points higher than the state's 11.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.431 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Clay County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Clay County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $937 in Clay County versus $1,060 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,900, about 2.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Clay County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $937/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,900 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The communities that make up Clay County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Clay County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 6,037 people, so roughly 25% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Center | city | 4,132 | $62,695 | $983 | 3 mi |
| Wakefield | city | 1,031 | $68,594 | $819 | 12 mi |
| Clifton | city | 442 | $62,625 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Morganville | city | 176 | $49,500 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Green | city | 95 | $80,179 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Vining | city | 58 | $24,205 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Longford | city | 51 | $48,750 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Idana | CDP | 33 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Oak Hill | city | 19 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Counties near Clay County
Riley County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Dickinson County, is 33 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Clay County; Ottawa County is highest at $74,018 and Cloud County lowest at $58,770.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | - | $66,176 | $937/mo | 78% |
| Riley County, KS | 24 mi | $61,098 | $1,046/mo | 46% |
| Cloud County, KS | 27 mi | $58,770 | $769/mo | 74% |
| Ottawa County, KS | 30 mi | $74,018 | $809/mo | 77% |
| Washington County, KS | 30 mi | $65,482 | $562/mo | 78% |
| Geary County, KS | 32 mi | $59,317 | $1,104/mo | 44% |
| Dickinson County, KS | 33 mi | $68,417 | $901/mo | 79% |
Clay County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. 5.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Clay County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.5% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.0% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Reading the Clay County data as a borrower
Where the Clay County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Budget math at the Clay County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Clay County's medians:
- $5,515 a month: gross income for a household at the Clay County median
- Housing at the median rent of $937 uses 17%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,269 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Clay County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Four steps for Clay County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Clay County, check the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Kansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Clay County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Clay County?
$66,176 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 42nd of 105 in the state.
Is Clay County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $937 against $1,060 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Clay County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Clay Center, Wakefield, Clifton, Morganville, Green.
Is the fit check different in Clay County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Clay County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.