Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Clay Center, Kansas is a smaller city with a population of 4,118 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (98% White). Given that fact, Clay Center could be considered less diverse than other cities. Clay Center has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 72% of the population is classified as married and 38% have kids. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Clay Center is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Clay Center, Kansas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Clay Center and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Clay Center has a livability score of 71 out of 100 and is ranked #120 in Kansas and #6,261 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Clay Center has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Clay Center, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and crime (D).
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Clay Center has a violent crime rate of 123 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Clay Center, the unemployment rate stands at 1.7%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Clay Center excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Clay Center is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Clay Center come in at $170,108, which is 31% lower than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Clay Center, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Clay Center | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 89.3% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.9% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.1% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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