Clay
Kansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the school test score is in the top 5% of American counties (3.48 where 3.0 is grade level), and high-school completion is in the top 10% of American counties (94%). Within Kansas it ranks 65th of 105 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Kansas. 8,088 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3).

Kansas stopped taxing Social Security entirely in 2024 and consolidated its brackets, and property taxes fall heavily on homeowners because agricultural land is assessed on use value. Johnson County, in the Kansas City suburbs, has the state's best-rated schools and highest home prices. The state sits squarely in Tornado Alley.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,765 a year, lower than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $40,138. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 79% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,136 a year.

Home

The median home costs $170K, cheaper than 76% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $788 a month. Property tax is 1.37% of home value, roughly $1,875 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 86% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 17.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 8.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.42 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 67 and lows near 44, colder than 51% of American counties. About 26 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 21 out of 100, safer than 79% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 180 Mbps down, slower than 59% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.