Clay County
County
Clay County Courthouse in Clay Center (2006)
Clay County Courthouse in Clay Center (2006)
Map of Kansas highlighting Clay County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°21′N 97°10′W / 39.350°N 97.167°W / 39.350; -97.167
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 20, 1857
Named forHenry Clay
SeatClay Center
Largest cityClay Center
Area
 • Total656 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total8,117
 • Density12.6/sq mi (4.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code785
Congressional district1st
WebsiteClayCountyKansas.org

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Clay Center.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,117.[1] The county was named for Henry Clay, an influential U.S. Senator from Kentucky.

History

Early history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1857, Clay County was established.

When the first counties were created by the Kansas legislature in 1855, the territory within the present limits of the county was attached to Riley County for all revenue and judicial purposes. Subsequently, Clay was attached to Geary County. In 1857, Clay was created and named in honor of the famous American statesman Henry Clay,[3] a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century.

In 1887, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled, but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

21st century

In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed north to south through Clay County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[4][5] A pumping station named Riley was built along the pipeline.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 645 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas,[7] U.S. Census Bureau[8]

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860163—
18702,9421,704.9%
188012,320318.8%
189016,14631.1%
190015,833−1.9%
191015,251−3.7%
192014,365−5.8%
193014,5561.3%
194013,281−8.8%
195011,697−11.9%
196010,675−8.7%
19709,890−7.4%
19809,802−0.9%
19909,158−6.6%
20008,822−3.7%
20108,535−3.3%
20208,117−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 8,822 people, 3,617 households, and 2,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 4,084 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.72% White, 0.57% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 3,617 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 20.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,965, and the median income for a family was $41,103. Males had a median income of $28,817 versus $17,760 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,939. About 6.80% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Clay County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,177 75.97% 894 21.38% 111 2.65%
2016 2,891 74.94% 677 17.55% 290 7.52%
2012 2,788 75.64% 834 22.63% 64 1.74%
2008 2,998 73.95% 1,009 24.89% 47 1.16%
2004 3,174 79.15% 793 19.78% 43 1.07%
2000 2,998 73.34% 951 23.26% 139 3.40%
1996 2,793 66.87% 963 23.05% 421 10.08%
1992 2,198 47.89% 947 20.63% 1,445 31.48%
1988 2,997 72.10% 1,112 26.75% 48 1.15%
1984 3,559 78.76% 919 20.34% 41 0.91%
1980 3,449 73.90% 932 19.97% 286 6.13%
1976 3,085 63.85% 1,610 33.32% 137 2.84%
1972 3,562 78.42% 887 19.53% 93 2.05%
1968 3,335 71.95% 926 19.98% 374 8.07%
1964 3,030 62.18% 1,806 37.06% 37 0.76%
1960 3,937 75.33% 1,246 23.84% 43 0.82%
1956 4,378 80.17% 1,034 18.93% 49 0.90%
1952 5,059 84.87% 831 13.94% 71 1.19%
1948 3,763 65.89% 1,804 31.59% 144 2.52%
1944 4,101 74.01% 1,391 25.10% 49 0.88%
1940 4,699 68.74% 2,067 30.24% 70 1.02%
1936 3,525 50.45% 3,441 49.25% 21 0.30%
1932 3,115 47.26% 3,289 49.90% 187 2.84%
1928 4,457 73.74% 1,515 25.07% 72 1.19%
1924 3,767 62.93% 1,417 23.67% 802 13.40%
1920 3,521 72.69% 1,155 23.84% 168 3.47%
1916 2,692 47.70% 2,632 46.63% 320 5.67%
1912 843 22.69% 1,373 36.96% 1,499 40.35%
1908 1,858 52.96% 1,495 42.62% 155 4.42%
1904 2,262 68.57% 403 12.22% 634 19.22%
1900 2,001 51.47% 1,826 46.97% 61 1.57%
1896 1,655 45.55% 1,929 53.10% 49 1.35%
1892 1,666 43.67% 0 0.00% 2,149 56.33%
1888 1,914 50.80% 920 24.42% 934 24.79%

Like all of Kansas outside the eastern cities, Clay County is overwhelmingly Republican. When Lyndon B. Johnson became in 1964 the last Democrat to carry the state's electoral votes, Clay County was his weakest in the state, giving over 62 percent of its votes to Barry Goldwater. The solitary Democrat to win a majority of Clay County's votes has been William Jennings Bryan in 1896, although Woodrow Wilson in a four-way race in 1912, and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 both obtained slim pluralities. Roosevelt in 1936, when he lost to Kansan Alf Landon by eighty-four votes, remains the last Democrat to win forty percent of the county's vote, and Jimmy Carter in 1976 is the last to pass thirty percent.

Education

Unified school districts that serve portions of the county include:[15]

Communities

2005 KDOT map of Clay County (map legend)

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

  • Broughton
  • Browndale
  • Athelstane
  • Bateham
  • Broughton, razed when Milford Lake was built
  • Browndale
  • Exeter
  • Fact
  • Fancy Creek
  • Garfield Center
  • Gatesville
  • Northern
  • Republican City
  • Lovejoy
  • Powellsburgh
  • Delavan
  • Riverdale
  • Uniondale
  • Stitt
  • Chapmanville
  • Wilson
  • Hebron
  • Lund
  • Peach Grove
  • Mulberry
  • Morgan City
  • Fayetteville
  • Otter Creek
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Fancy Creek
  • Oberg
  • Carter Creek
  • Tabor
  • Morena
  • Bachelder
  • Lima

Townships

Clay County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Clay Center is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Athelstane029501442 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°10′17″N 97°12′35″W / 39.17139°N 97.20972°W / 39.17139; -97.20972
Blaine070502592 (6)109 (42)1 (0)0.94%39°20′38″N 97°11′11″W / 39.34389°N 97.18639°W / 39.34389; -97.18639
Bloom073251251 (3)122 (47)1 (0)0.53%39°26′29″N 97°16′51″W / 39.44139°N 97.28083°W / 39.44139; -97.28083
Chapman12525Longford2022 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.09%39°10′21″N 97°19′35″W / 39.17250°N 97.32639°W / 39.17250; -97.32639
Clay Center136503684 (10)98 (38)1 (1)1.46%39°21′30″N 97°6′17″W / 39.35833°N 97.10472°W / 39.35833; -97.10472
Exeter22100811 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.08%39°15′24″N 97°11′36″W / 39.25667°N 97.19333°W / 39.25667; -97.19333
Five Creeks234751592 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%39°21′22″N 97°18′14″W / 39.35611°N 97.30389°W / 39.35611; -97.30389
Garfield255001071 (3)91 (35)0 (0)0.05%39°31′55″N 97°7′5″W / 39.53194°N 97.11806°W / 39.53194; -97.11806
Gill262501402 (5)78 (30)0 (0)0.04%39°10′10″N 97°6′3″W / 39.16944°N 97.10083°W / 39.16944; -97.10083
Goshen27025921 (3)91 (35)0 (0)0%39°31′4″N 97°0′14″W / 39.51778°N 97.00389°W / 39.51778; -97.00389
Grant275001322 (5)74 (29)13 (5)14.83%39°16′12″N 96°59′27″W / 39.27000°N 96.99083°W / 39.27000; -96.99083
Hayes308752062 (6)92 (36)0 (0)0%39°26′9″N 97°5′58″W / 39.43583°N 97.09944°W / 39.43583; -97.09944
Highland31825Green3103 (9)92 (35)0 (0)0.07%39°25′28″N 97°0′1″W / 39.42444°N 97.00028°W / 39.42444; -97.00028
Mulberry49000Clifton (part)3313 (9)97 (38)2 (1)1.99%39°32′19″N 97°16′23″W / 39.53861°N 97.27306°W / 39.53861; -97.27306
Oakland517251101 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0%39°15′30″N 97°20′21″W / 39.25833°N 97.33917°W / 39.25833; -97.33917
Republican59025Wakefield1,02414 (36)73 (28)10 (4)12.46%39°12′7″N 97°0′50″W / 39.20194°N 97.01389°W / 39.20194; -97.01389
Sherman64850Morganville3284 (10)85 (33)1 (0)1.00%39°30′15″N 97°12′42″W / 39.50417°N 97.21167°W / 39.50417; -97.21167
Union720751402 (4)92 (35)0 (0)0.38%39°16′16″N 97°4′53″W / 39.27111°N 97.08139°W / 39.27111; -97.08139
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

See List of people from Clay County, Kansas

Two former Kansas Governors resided in Clay County. George Docking was the 35th Governor, serving from January 14, 1957, until January 9, 1961.[16] William H. Avery was the 37th Governor, from January 11, 1965, until January 9, 1967.[17]

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Clay County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 83.
  4. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010. Archived October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  15. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Clay County, KS/" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2022. - Text list
  16. ↑ "To Seek Third Term". The Fort Scott Tribune. May 2, 1970. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Former Kan. Gov. Avery dies at the age of 98". Associated Press. November 5, 2009.
Notes

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