County · Missouri
Clay County, Missouri
Clay County, Missouri. Clay County had 265,032 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 26 places (25 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 55 census tracts. GEOID 29047.
Clay County is one of the 14 counties of the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
265,032
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 253,335 · ACS 2020-2024: 258,122
Median household income
$88,468
±$2,010 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$275,600
±$4,758 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$1,243
±$32 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 253,335 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 265,032 for July 1, 2025, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 258,122 over 398 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 258,122 | 6,191,814 | +15,606 |
| Households | 102,171±719 | 2,508,227 | +10,933 |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.02 | 2.40 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 107,719±89 | 2,825,287 | +9,851 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 184,006 in 2000 to 265,032 in 2025: up 44.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Clay County?
Clay County holds 26 places: 25 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Kansas City with 521,220 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kansas City | 508,090 | $69,166 |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 30,167 | $88,542 |
| Gladstone | 27,063 | $79,271 |
| Smithville | 10,406 | $101,165 |
| Kearney | 10,404 | $103,622 |
| Excelsior Springs | 10,553 | $72,609 |
| North Kansas City | 4,467 | $49,682 |
| Pleasant Valley | 2,743 | $75,682 |
| Claycomo | 1,343 | $49,343 |
| Glenaire | 539 | $92,813 |
| Avondale | 436 | $53,125 |
| Holt | 471 | $73,125 |
| Oakview | 366 | $69,141 |
| Missouri CityGEOID 2948980 | 217 | $37,083 |
| OakwoodGEOID 2953894 | 198 | $125,000 |
| Oakwood ParkGEOID 2953948 | 189 | $101,250 |
| BirminghamGEOID 2905824 | 189 | $62,000 |
| Lawson | 2,541 | $65,941 |
| OaksGEOID 2953804 | 128 | not published |
| PrathersvilleGEOID 2959816 | 121 | $72,917 |
| MosbyGEOID 2950168 | 101 | $48,750 |
| ParadiseGEOID 2956126 | 75 | not published |
| RandolphGEOID 2960590 | 57 | $50,000 |
| Excelsior EstatesGEOID 2923077 | 209 | $79,844 |
| Independence | 123,011 | $60,339 |
| Sugar Creek | 3,271 | $62,165 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clay County?
The median resident of Clay County is 37.9 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 15.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.0%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clay County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9±0.3 | 39.0 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 23.5% | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.3%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.0% | 5.2% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.0%±0.2 pts | 76.3% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.8%±0.3 pts | 10.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.9%±0.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±0.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.3%±0.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±0.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.2%±0.5 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.5%±0.9 pts | 32.4% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.8%±0.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Clay County earn?
Half of Clay County's 102,171 households earn less than $88,468 a year (±$2,010), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $86,776 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,468±$2,010 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $108,962±$2,622 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,986±$1,069 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.5%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.3%±1.9 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.0%±0.7 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.2%±0.9 pts | 89.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Clay County?
Owners occupy 69.5% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 30.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $275,600 by its owner (±$4,758). The median renter pays $1,243 a month including utilities, and 36.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $275,600±$4,758 | $230,300 | +$60,352 |
| Median gross rent | $1,243±$32 | $1,033 | +$55 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.4%±2.5 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,757±$31 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.5%±1.1 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 107,719±89 | 2,825,287 | +9,851 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.1%±1.0 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 13.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Clay County building?
Builders took permits for 297 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (207 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Clay County get to work?
74.8% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 15.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Clay County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.0%±0.7 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.6 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.8%±1.0 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.9%±0.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.9%±0.9 pts | 13.0% | +10.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.8 min±0.5 | 23.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Clay County's census tracts?
Clay County is divided into 55 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,667 (Tract 210.01) to $183,989 (Tract 213.09).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clay County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 22nd of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 115 |
| Median household income | 4th of 115 |
| Median home value | 6th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 106th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 115 |
| Median age | 99th of 115 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Clay County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.