Clay Center has arts, employment and culture outside of the big city
Surrounded by boundless farmland in north central Kansas, Clay Center is the social, economic and governmental hub of Clay County. “People here are very helpful, kind and welcoming,” says Natalie Muruato, executive director of Clay County Tourism. “While we’re close to big-box stores in bigger metropolitan areas, we have two grocery stores of our own where they still bag and carry out your groceries. If you have young kids or a family, there’s tons to do.” The downtown area is home to a growing mural scene, diverse retail offerings and parks for outdoor recreation. “We have 33 murals right now, and we’re about to put up another one,” Muruato says. Nearly 4,200 people call this city home, and many work in public services, medical fields and factory jobs in the community. With easy access to nearby cities and competitively priced homes, Clay Center offers a quieter alternative to fast-growing areas like Junction City and Manhattan .
Clay Center shares in the state's efforts to attract new residents to the Midwest. “There are tons of entrepreneurial opportunities here,” Muruato says. “The state offers tons of incentives, and there’s low-interest funding available. A lot of second-career people retire and start up new businesses in Clay Center.”
The median home price in Clay Center is lower than in nearby areas
Clay Center is home to a mixture of century-old residences and brand-new properties. Houses built from 1900 to 2000, including ranch-style homes, Victorians and bungalows, sell for $70,000 to $300,000. Properties from the 2000s through today go for $240,000 to $440,000. Clay Center’s flat, grid-patterned streets are often flanked by trees, sidewalks and small front yards and driveways. This city’s median home price of $245,000 is below Junction City’s median of $284,900 and Manhattan’s at $360,000. Clay Center has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Historic downtown hosts well-established eateries and celebrations
In downtown Clay Center, early-20th-century brick storefronts surround a small park and the county courthouse. The shops - many decorated with recently painted murals - host boutique shops, hardware and drug stores, insurance agencies and restaurants. “We have a 100-year-old bakery, Tasty Pastry, that’s famous for its nut rolls,” Muruato says. “Downtown is packed in the morning as people go out to get doughnuts.” Happy Hippie Studios specializes in health foods like acai bowls and fruit smoothies. Pizza, locally sourced burgers and craft beers are served at 15-24 Brew House. Grocery options include Ray’s Apple Market and Kiers Thriftway. Every Saturday from April to October, a farmers market convenes at the courthouse square and sells fresh food and handmade crafts. The city has held its Piotique Celebration in the same square every September since 1936, bringing live entertainment to the heart of Clay Center.
Local parks feature a zoo, a public pool and seasonal events
Several parks are scattered throughout Clay Center, providing recreational outlets in each neighborhood. Utility Park includes walking paths and a free zoo with bears, foxes, monkeys and many other animals. The western edge of town is home to the Clay Center Aquatic Park, which features a lazy river and a public pool. Huntress Park has a small playground.
The Clay County Fair brings carnival rides, interactive livestock exhibitions, bouncy houses and live music to Clay Center throughout the first half of September. During the holiday season, Courthouse Square comes alive with Christmas spirit. “We have a Christmas square that features a huge tree and 75 individually decorated trees, and Santa even comes down on his sleigh to visit,” Muruato says.
Clay Center Community High School offers career prep programs
Students can start at Lincoln Elementary for kindergarten and first grade. This school receives a B-plus rating from Niche. Garfield Elementary serves grades 4 and 5 and gets a B, as do Clay Center Community Middle and Clay Center Community High. The high school offers diverse career training programs from agriculture and business to media and health care.
Near jobs in larger cities with healthcare options at home
Clay Center’s location at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and K-15 connects it to nearby cities. The employment hubs of Junction City, Fort Riley and Manhattan are each accessible within 35 to 40 miles. Clay Center has its own health care hub at the Clay County Medical Center. “Healthcare is amazing,” Muruato says. “We have a top-ten critical access hospital that’s bringing in professionals all the time, so you don’t have to go out of town for your health care.”
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
