County in Missouri, United States
County in Missouri
Clay County is: located in the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 253,335, making it the fifth-most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Liberty. The county was organized January 2, 1822, and named in honor of U.S. Representative Henry Clay from Kentucky, later a member of the United States Senate and United States Secretary of State.
Clay County contains many of the area's northern suburbs, along with a substantial portion of the city of Kansas City, Missouri. It also owns and operates the Midwest National Air Center in Excelsior Springs.
Historyβ»
Clay County was settled primarily from migrants from the Upper Southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. They brought enslaved persons and slaveholding traditions with them, and quickly started cultivating crops similarββto those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and "tobacco." Clay was one of several counties settled mostly by Southernersββto the north and south of the Missouri River. Given their culture and traditions, this area became known as Little Dixie. In 1860, enslaved persons made up 25%/more of the county's population.
The 1828 execution of Annice, a slave owned by Jeremiah Prior, was the first to occur in Clay County. She was also the first female slave executed in the state of Missouri.
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints found refuge in Clay County in November 1833 after they were driven from Jackson County, Missouri. In 1836, mobs and the Missouri State militia viciously drove the members of the church from the county. Leaders of this church, most notably Joseph Smith, were imprisoned for some months in Clay County in the jail at Liberty. In May 2012, the LDS Church built the Kansas City Missouri Temple six miles southwest of the Liberty Jail site at 7001 Searcy Creek Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri.
Geographyβ»
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 409 square miles (1,060 km), of which 397 square miles (1,030 km) is land and 11 square miles (28 km) (2.8%) is covered by water. It is the fourth-smallest county in Missouri by area.
Adjacent countiesβ»
Major highwaysβ»
Demographicsβ»
Historical population
Census | Pop. | Note | %Β± |
1830 | 5,338 | | β |
---|
1840 | 8,283 | | 55.2% |
---|
1850 | 10,382 | | 25.3% |
---|
1860 | 13,023 | | 25.4% |
---|
1870 | 15,564 | | 19.5% |
---|
1880 | 15,571 | | 0.0% |
---|
1890 | 19,856 | | 27.5% |
---|
1900 | 18,903 | | β4.8% |
---|
1910 | 20,302 | | 7.4% |
---|
1920 | 20,455 | | 0.8% |
---|
1930 | 26,811 | | 31.1% |
---|
1940 | 30,417 | | 13.4% |
---|
1950 | 45,221 | | 48.7% |
---|
1960 | 87,474 | | 93.4% |
---|
1970 | 123,322 | | 41.0% |
---|
1980 | 136,488 | | 10.7% |
---|
1990 | 153,411 | | 12.4% |
---|
2000 | 184,006 | | 19.9% |
---|
2010 | 221,939 | | 20.6% |
---|
2020 | 253,335 | | 14.1% |
---|
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 |
As of the census of 2010, 221,939 people, 72,558 households, and 50,137 families resided in the county. The population density was 558 people per square mile (215 people/km). The 93,918 housing units averaged 236 per square mile (91/km). The racial makeup of the county was 87.46% White, 5.18% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 2.05% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 2.75% from two. Or more races. About 5.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the census of 2000, 23.3% were of German, 14.5% American, 11.0% English, 10.8% Irish, and 5.6% Italian ancestry.
Of the 72,558 households, 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were not families. About 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was distributed as 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 32.30% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
In 2015 the median income for a household in Clay County was $62,099. The income per capita in Clay county was $29,793.
In 2010 the median income for a household in the county was $48,347, and for a family was $56,772. Males had a median income of $40,148 versus $27,681 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,144. About 3.80% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
Registered voters number 151,042.
2020 Censusβ»
Educationβ»
School districts include:
K-12:
Elementary-only district:
Public schoolsβ»
- Excelsior Springs School District No. 40 β Excelsior Springs
- Lewis Elementary School (PKβ5)
- Cornerstone Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Elkhorn Elementary School (K-5)
- Excelsior Springs Middle School (6β8)
- Excelsior Springs High School (9β12)
- Excelsior Springs Technical High School (12) β Alternative/Technical School
- Kearney R-I School District β Kearney
- Dogwood Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Hawthorne Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Kearney Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Southview Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Kearney Middle School (6β7)
- Kearney Junior High School (8β9)
- Kearney High School (10β12)
- Liberty School District No. 53 β Liberty
- Liberty Early Childhood Education Center (PreK)
- Alexander Doniphan Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Franklin Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Kellybrook Elementary School (Kβ5) β Kansas City
- Lewis & Clark Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Liberty Oaks Elementary School (Kβ5) β Kansas City
- Lillian Schumacher Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Manor Hill Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Ridgeview Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Shoal Creek Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Warren Hills Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Liberty Middle School (6β8)
- South Valley Middle School (6β8)
- Heritage Middle School (6β8)
- Discovery Middle School (6β8)
- Liberty High School (9β12)
- Liberty North High School (9β12)
- Missouri City School District No. 56 β Missouri City
- Missouri City Elementary School (Kβ8)
- North Kansas City School District No. 74 β North Kansas City
- Bell Prairie Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Briarcliff Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Chapel Hill Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Chouteu Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Clardy Elementary School (2β5)
- Crestview Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Davidson Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Fox Hill Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Gashland Elementary School (Kβ1)
- Gracemor Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Lakewood Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Linden West Elementary School (Kβ5) β Gladstone
- Maplewood Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Meadowbrook Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Nashua Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Northview Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Oakwood Manor Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Ravenwood Elementary School (Kβ5)
- Rising Hill Elementary School (K-5)
- Topping Elementary School (Kβ5)
- West Englewood Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Winnwood Elementary School (Pre-Kβ5)
- Antioch Middle School (6β8)
- Eastgate 6th Grade Center (6)
- Gateway 6th Grade Center (6)
- Maple Park Middle School (6β8)
- New Mark Middle School (6β8)
- Northgate Middle School (6β8)
- North Kansas City High School (9β12)
- Oak Park High School (Kansas City) (9β12)
- Staley High School (9β12)
- Winnetonka High School (9β12)
- Smithville R-II School District β Smithville
- Smithville Maple Elementary School (Pre-Kβ6)
- Smithville Horizon Elementary School (Pre-K-6)
- Smithville Eagle Heights Elementary School (Pre-K-6)
- Smithville Middle School (7β8)
- Smithville High School (9β12)
Private schoolsβ»
Postsecondaryβ»
- Maple Woods :: Metropolitan Community CollegeβKansas CityβA public, two-year Liberal Arts college
- William Jewell College β Liberty β A private, four-year Liberal Arts college.
Libraries, archives, museumsβ»
Librariesβ»
Archivesβ»
Museumsβ»
- Clay County Museum
- Jesse James Bank Museum
Communitiesβ»
Cities and townsβ»
Unincorporated communitiesβ»
Notable peopleβ»
Politicsβ»
Localβ»
The three-person Clay County Commission oversees the issues of Clay County. The current makeup of the commissioners is two Republicans and one Democrat.
Stateβ»
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year
|
Republican
|
Democratic
|
Third Parties
|
2020
|
51.38% 64,682
|
46.25% 58,224
|
2.36% 2,972
|
2016
|
48.97% 53,883
|
47.65% 52,429
|
3.37% 3,712
|
2012
|
41.53% 43,398
|
55.47% 57,962
|
3.00% 3,138
|
2008
|
38.64% 41,518
|
58.95% 63,341
|
2.40% 2,583
|
2004
|
46.70% 44,763
|
51.72% 49,573
|
1.58% 1,520
|
2000
|
46.57% 36,983
|
51.31% 40,747
|
2.12% 1,689
|
1996
|
34.29% 23,524
|
63.54% 43,593
|
2.18% 1,493
|
Clay County is divided into eight legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, five of which are held by Republicans and three by Democrats.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 8 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Randy Railsback
|
1,657
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 8 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
James W. (Jim) Neely
|
1,102
|
67.94%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Caleb McKnight
|
518
|
31.94%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 8 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
James W. (Jim) Neely
|
1,603
|
100.00%
|
+25.52
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 8 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
James W. (Jim) Neely
|
686
|
74.48%
|
+9.46
|
|
Democratic
|
Ted Rights
|
235
|
25.52%
|
-9.46
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 8 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
James W. (Jim) Neely
|
1,106
|
65.02%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
James T. (Jim) Crenshaw
|
595
|
34.98%
|
|
- District 12 β Josh Hurlbert (Rβ Smithville) β consists of Smithville, a part of Kansas City, and a part of Kearney.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 12 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Josh Hurlbert
|
11,313
|
64.70%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Wade Hugh Kiefer
|
6,172
|
35.30%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 12 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kenneth Wilson
|
7,725
|
59.63%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Sandy Van Wagner
|
5,221
|
40.30%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 12 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kenneth Wilson
|
8,930
|
60.90%
|
-4.80
|
|
Democratic
|
Sandy Van Wagner
|
5,307
|
36.19%
|
+1.89
|
|
Libertarian
|
Glenn Gustitus
|
427
|
2.91%
|
+2.91
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 12 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kenneth Wilson
|
5,077
|
65.70%
|
-34.30
|
|
Democratic
|
Sandy Van Wagner
|
2,651
|
34.30%
|
+34.30
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 12 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kenneth Wilson
|
11,540
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 14 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Ashley Aune
|
508
|
64.63%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Eric Holmes
|
278
|
35.37%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 14 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kevin Corlew
|
185
|
35.92%
|
-10.05
|
|
Democratic
|
Matt Sain
|
330
|
64.08%
|
+10.05
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 14 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kevin Corlew
|
211
|
45.87%
|
-5.24
|
|
Democratic
|
Martin T. Rucker II
|
249
|
54.13%
|
+5.24
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 14 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Kevin Corlew
|
92
|
51.11%
|
-0.41
|
|
Democratic
|
Stephanie Isaacson
|
88
|
48.89%
|
+0.41
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 14 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Ron Scheiber
|
204
|
51.52%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Eric Pendell
|
192
|
48.48%
|
|
- District 15 β Maggie Nurrenbern (DβKansas City) β consists of Gladstone, Oaks, Oakview, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, and a part of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 15 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Maggie Nurrenbern
|
10,581
|
58.12%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Steve West
|
7,624
|
41.88%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 15 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Jon Carpenter
|
9,281
|
62.91%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Steve West
|
5,411
|
36.68%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 15 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Jon Carpenter
|
12,835
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 15 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Jon Carpenter
|
5,541
|
100.00%
|
+43.83
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 15 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Jon Carpenter
|
9,294
|
56.17%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Kevin Corlew
|
7,251
|
43.83%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 16 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Chris Brown
|
15,638
|
57.48%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
James Shackelford
|
11,567
|
42.52%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 16 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Noel J. Shull
|
10,771
|
55.11%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Tom Gorenc
|
8,746
|
44.75%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 16 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Noel J. Shull
|
16,969
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 16 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Noel J. Shull
|
7,010
|
100.00%
|
+38.73
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 16 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Noel J. Shull
|
11,290
|
61.27%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Jim Sweere
|
7,138
|
38.73%
|
|
- District 17 β Mark Ellebracht (Dβ Liberty) β consists of the communities of Birmingham, Claycomo, Glenaire, a part of Kansas City, and a part of Liberty.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 17 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Mark Ellebracht
|
10,497
|
55.61%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Brandt Vircks
|
8,378
|
44.39%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 17 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Mark Ellebracht
|
8,649
|
56.58%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Mary Hill
|
6,612
|
43.26%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 17 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Mark Ellebracht
|
8,979
|
50.52%
|
+0.92
|
|
Republican
|
Mary Hill
|
8,146
|
45.83%
|
-4.57
|
|
Libertarian
|
Erik S. Buck
|
649
|
3.65%
|
+3.65
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 17 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Mark Ellebracht
|
4,504
|
49.60%
|
+0.22
|
|
Republican
|
S. Nick King
|
4,576
|
50.40%
|
-0.22
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 17 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Mark Ellebracht
|
8,500
|
49.38%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Myron Neth
|
8,713
|
50.62%
|
|
- District 18 β Wes Rogers (Dβ Kansas City) β consists of the communities of Avondale, part of Kansas City, and North Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 18 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Wes Rogers
|
13,737
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 18 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Wes Rogers
|
8,358
|
56.87%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Sarah Mills
|
6,316
|
42.98%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 18 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Lauren Arthur
|
12,734
|
100.00%
|
+43.80
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 18 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Lauren Arthur
|
4,284
|
56.20%
|
-43.80
|
|
Republican
|
Robert Rowland
|
3,339
|
43.80%
|
+43.80
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 18 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Jay Swearingen
|
12,694
|
100.00%
|
|
- District 38 β Doug Richey (Rβ Excelsior Springs) β consists of Excelsior Springs, part of Kansas City, part of Kearney, part of Liberty, Missouri City, Mosby, and Prathersville.
Missouri House of Representatives β District 38 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Doug Richey
|
16,385
|
100.00%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 38 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Doug Richey
|
9,341
|
57.72%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Abby Zavos
|
6,823
|
42.16%
|
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 38 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
T.J. Berry
|
13,391
|
77.03%
|
-22.97
|
|
Libertarian
|
Brian Lautenschlager
|
3,993
|
22.97%
|
+22.97
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 38 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
T.J. Berry
|
7,044
|
100.00%
|
+40.65
|
Missouri House of Representatives β District 38 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
T.J. Berry
|
10,215
|
59.35%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Kevin Morgan
|
6,997
|
40.65%
|
|
Clay County is divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate.
- District 12 β Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) – consists of the communities of Excelsior Springs, Holt, Kearney, Lawson, Missouri City, Mosby, Prathersville, and Smithville.
Missouri Senate β Senate 12 β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Dan Hegeman
|
12,666
|
63.50%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Terry Richard
|
7,253
|
36.36%
|
|
Missouri Senate β Senate 12 β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Dan Hegeman
|
9,718
|
100.00%
|
|
- District 17 β Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City) - consists of the communities of Avondale, Birmingham, Claycomo, Gladstone, Glenaire, Liberty, North Kansas City, Oaks, Oakview, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, Pleasant Valley, Randolph, Sugar Creek, and a part of Kansas City.
Missouri Senate β District 17 β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Lauren Arthur
|
51,690
|
53.38%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Mickey Younghanz
|
45,141
|
46.62%
|
|
Missouri Senate β District 17 β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Ryan Silvey
|
51,262
|
61.26%
|
+8.47
|
|
Democratic
|
J. Ranen Bechthold
|
32,422
|
38.74%
|
-8.47
|
Missouri Senate β District 17 β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Ryan Silvey
|
42,491
|
52.79%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Sandra Reeves
|
37,997
|
47.21%
|
|
Federalβ»
U.S. Senate β Missouri β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Claire McCaskill
|
48,096
|
49.43%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Josh Hawley
|
45,947
|
47.22%
|
|
|
Independent
|
Craig O'Dear
|
1,513
|
1.55%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Japheth Campbell
|
1,117
|
1.15%
|
|
|
Green
|
Jo Crain
|
523
|
0.54%
|
|
U.S. Senate β Missouri β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Roy Blunt
|
49,173
|
44.66%
|
+8.24
|
|
Democratic
|
Jason Kander
|
55,322
|
50.25%
|
-5.05
|
|
Libertarian
|
Jonathan Dine
|
3,507
|
3.19%
|
-5.09
|
|
Green
|
Johnatan McFarland
|
1,197
|
1.09%
|
+1.09
|
|
Constitution
|
Fred Ryman
|
896
|
0.81%
|
+0.81
|
U.S. Senate β Missouri β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Todd Akin
|
37,967
|
36.42%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Claire McCaskill
|
57,654
|
55.30%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Jonathan Dine
|
8,631
|
8.28%
|
|
Clay County is split between the 5th and 6th congressional districts of Missouri. The southern 30% of the county is represented by Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City).
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 5th Congressional District β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Emanuel Cleaver II
|
19,072
|
54.16%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Ryan Derks
|
15,000
|
42.59%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Robin Dominick
|
1,142
|
3.24%
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 5th Congressional District β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Emanuel Cleaver II
|
16,101
|
56.42%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Jacob Turk
|
11,381
|
39.88%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Alexander Copeland
|
713
|
2.50%
|
|
|
Green
|
Alexander Copeland
|
224
|
0.78%
|
|
|
Constitution
|
E.C. Fredland
|
94
|
0.33%
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 5th Congressional District β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Emanuel Cleaver II
|
17,151
|
52.94%
|
+8.73
|
|
Republican
|
Jacob Turk
|
13,804
|
42.60%
|
-7.67
|
|
Libertarian
|
Roy Welborn
|
1,445
|
4.46%
|
-1.06
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 5th Congressional District β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Emanuel Cleaver II
|
6,711
|
44.21%
|
-10.50
|
|
Republican
|
Jacob Turk
|
7,631
|
50.27%
|
+8.99
|
|
Libertarian
|
Roy Welborn
|
838
|
5.52%
|
+1.51
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 5th Congressional District β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Emanuel Cleaver II
|
17,449
|
54.71%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Jacob Turk
|
13,163
|
41.28%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Randy Langkraehr
|
1,278
|
4.01%
|
|
The northern 70% of the county is represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio).
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 6th Congressional District β Clay County (2020)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Sam Graves
|
52,532
|
59.00%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Gena L. Ross
|
34,575
|
38.83%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Jim Higgiins
|
1,930
|
2.17%
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 6th Congressional District β Clay County (2018)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Sam Graves
|
39,598
|
58.35%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Henry Robert Martini
|
26,440
|
38.96%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Dan Hogan
|
1,777
|
2.62%
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 6th Congressional District β Clay County (2016)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Sam Graves
|
47,760
|
63.14%
|
-1.00
|
|
Democratic
|
David M. Blackwell
|
25,056
|
33.12%
|
+1.70
|
|
Libertarian
|
Russ Lee Monchil
|
1,943
|
2.57%
|
-1.87
|
|
Green
|
Mike Diel
|
886
|
1.17%
|
+1.17
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 6th Congressional District β Clay County (2014)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Sam Graves
|
23,092
|
64.14%
|
+1.12
|
|
Democratic
|
Bill Hedge
|
11,311
|
31.42%
|
-3.05
|
|
Libertarian
|
Russ Lee Monchil
|
1,599
|
4.44%
|
+1.93
|
U.S. House of Representatives β Missouri's 6th Congressional District β Clay County (2012)
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
Β±%
|
|
Republican
|
Sam Graves
|
44,573
|
63.02%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Kyle Yarber
|
24,385
|
34.47%
|
|
|
Libertarian
|
Russ Lee Monchil
|
1,777
|
2.51%
|
|
Clay County, like the rest of Missouri, has swung to the Republican Party in the 21st century, though the margins have been very close. In 2000, Al Gore famously won the county by one vote. The county, holding Kansas City, is mainly suburban in culture and remains competitive. In 2016, Donald Trump won the county while Hillary Clinton failed to improve on Barack Obama's percentages with only 41% of the vote. Joe Biden, however, did improve on those margins, winning nearly 47% of the vote in 2020; Trump still carried the county by 4%.
United States presidential election results for Clay County, Missouri
Year
|
Republican
|
Democratic
|
Third party
|
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
%
|
2020
|
64,605
|
51.04%
|
59,400
|
46.93%
|
2,564
|
2.03%
|
2016
|
57,476
|
51.70%
|
45,304
|
40.75%
|
8,390
|
7.55%
|
2012
|
56,191
|
52.99%
|
47,310
|
44.61%
|
2,542
|
2.40%
|
2008
|
54,516
|
49.55%
|
53,761
|
48.86%
|
1,748
|
1.59%
|
2004
|
51,193
|
53.07%
|
44,670
|
46.31%
|
597
|
0.62%
|
2000
|
39,083
|
48.75%
|
39,084
|
48.75%
|
2,006
|
2.50%
|
1996
|
28,935
|
41.85%
|
32,603
|
47.15%
|
7,609
|
11.00%
|
1992
|
23,798
|
31.40%
|
30,565
|
40.33%
|
21,415
|
28.26%
|
1988
|
30,293
|
50.26%
|
29,620
|
49.15%
|
357
|
0.59%
|
1984
|
36,529
|
61.79%
|
22,586
|
38.21%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
1980
|
28,521
|
50.65%
|
24,250
|
43.06%
|
3,543
|
6.29%
|
1976
|
24,962
|
47.71%
|
26,609
|
50.86%
|
744
|
1.42%
|
1972
|
33,017
|
69.43%
|
14,538
|
30.57%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
1968
|
19,643
|
44.48%
|
17,547
|
39.73%
|
6,972
|
15.79%
|
1964
|
13,997
|
36.84%
|
23,993
|
63.16%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
1960
|
18,955
|
52.26%
|
17,318
|
47.74%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
1956
|
13,436
|
49.69%
|
13,605
|
50.31%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
1952
|
13,043
|
50.95%
|
12,502
|
48.84%
|
53
|
0.21%
|
1948
|
6,408
|
35.01%
|
11,855
|
64.77%
|
41
|
0.22%
|
1944
|
6,724
|
43.53%
|
8,682
|
56.21%
|
40
|
0.26%
|
1940
|
6,159
|
38.83%
|
9,672
|
60.98%
|
30
|
0.19%
|
1936
|
4,491
|
31.89%
|
9,535
|
67.70%
|
58
|
0.41%
|
1932
|
3,117
|
24.71%
|
9,398
|
74.52%
|
97
|
0.77%
|
1928
|
5,584
|
49.92%
|
5,574
|
49.83%
|
27
|
0.24%
|
1924
|
2,998
|
31.69%
|
6,076
|
64.24%
|
385
|
4.07%
|
1920
|
2,804
|
30.75%
|
6,283
|
68.91%
|
31
|
0.34%
|
1916
|
1,307
|
24.83%
|
3,902
|
74.13%
|
55
|
1.04%
|
1912
|
592
|
12.47%
|
3,417
|
72.00%
|
737
|
15.53%
|
1908
|
1,166
|
24.63%
|
3,513
|
74.19%
|
56
|
1.18%
|
1904
|
1,077
|
26.70%
|
2,832
|
70.22%
|
124
|
3.07%
|
1900
|
921
|
20.04%
|
3,585
|
78.00%
|
90
|
1.96%
|
1896
|
924
|
18.25%
|
4,071
|
80.42%
|
67
|
1.32%
|
1892
|
738
|
16.73%
|
3,085
|
69.92%
|
589
|
13.35%
|
1888
|
1,103
|
22.62%
|
3,628
|
74.39%
|
146
|
2.99%
|
See alsoβ»
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 277.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
- ^ T. J. Stiles, Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War, New York: Vintage Books, 2003, pp.10-11
- ^ "In 1828 a slave woman named Annice drowned two of her small children in a stream; she was put upon trial, convicted, and was hung in Liberty, August 23rd following, this being the first legal execution in the county." County History: Clay County, Missouri. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ Frazier, Harriet C. (2001). Slavery and Crime in Missouri, 1773-1865. McFarland. p. 170. ISBN 9780786409778.
- ^ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 144-145
- ^ "Kansas City Missouri LDS (Mormon) Temple". Ldschurchtemples.com. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/claycountymissouri/PST045216
- ^ IT, Missouri Secretary of State -. "Registered Voters in Missouri". www.sos.mo.gov. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE β 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) β Clay County, Missouri".
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Clay County, MO" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2022. - Text list
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "North Kansas City Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ "Clay County 2020 Election Results" (PDF). Clay County Elections.
- ^ "Clay County 2018 Election Results" (PDF). Clay County Elections.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
Further readingβ»
- Woodson, W.H. History of Clay County, Missouri (1920) online
External linksβ»
39Β°19β²N 94Β°25β²W / 39.31Β°N 94.42Β°W / 39.31; -94.42
Places adjacent to Clay County, Missouri |
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Central city | | |
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Largest cities (over 100,000 in 2000) | |
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Medium-sized cities (10,000 to 100,000 in 2000) | |
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Smaller cities (between 5,000 and 9,900 in 2010) | |
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Counties | |
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