Clay County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the county had a population of 221,939 [1] making it the fifth-most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Liberty.[2] The county was organized January 2, 1822, and named in honor of U.S. RepresentativeHenry Clay from Kentucky, later member of the United States Senate and United States Secretary of State.[3][4]
Clay County contains many of the area's northern suburbs, along with a substantial portion of the city of Kansas City, Missouri.
Clay County owns and operates the Midwest National Air Center in Excelsior Springs.
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 similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. Clay was one of several counties settled mostly by Southerners to 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% or more of the county's population.[5]
The 1828 execution of Annice, a slave owned by Jeremiah Prior, was the first to occur in Clay County.[6] She was also the first female slave executed in the state of Missouri.[7]
Many members of the Latter Day Saint movement found refuge in Clay County in November 1833. In 1836, mobs and the Missouri State militia viciously drove the members of the church from the county.[8] 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 opened a Kansas City Missouri Temple six miles southwest of the Liberty Jail site at 7001 Searcy Creek Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri.[9]
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 409 square miles (1,060 km2), of which 397 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.8%) is covered by water.[10] It is the fourth-smallest county in Missouri by area.
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[1]
As of the census[16] 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 (216/km2). The 93,918 housing units averaged 236 per square mile (91/km2). 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[17] 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.
[18]
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.
This section does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Local[]
The three-person Clay County Commission oversees the issues of Clay County. The current makeup of the commissioners is two Republicans and one Democrat.
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.
District 8 — Jim Neely (R— Cameron) — Consists of Holt and Lawson.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
James W. (Jim) Neely
1,603
100.00%
+25.52
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
James W. (Jim) Neely
686
74.48%
+9.46
Democratic
Ted Rights
235
25.52%
-9.46
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
James W. (Jim) Neely
1,106
65.02%
Democratic
James T. (Jim) Crenshaw
595
34.98%
District 12 — Kenneth Wilson (R— Smithville) — consists of Smithville, a part of Kansas City, and a part of Kearney.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 12 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — District 12 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Kenneth Wilson
5,077
65.70%
-34.30
Democratic
Sandy Van Wagner
2,651
34.30%
+34.30
Missouri House of Representatives — District 12 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Kenneth Wilson
11,540
100.00%
District 14 — Matt Sain (D- Kansas City) — consists of a small part of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Clay County (2018)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Kevin Corlew
185
35.92%
-10.05
Democratic
Matt Sain
330
64.08%
+10.05
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Kevin Corlew
211
45.87%
-5.24
Democratic
Martin T. Rucker II
249
54.13%
+5.24
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Kevin Corlew
92
51.11%
-0.41
Democratic
Stephanie Isaacson
88
48.89%
+0.41
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Ron Scheiber
204
51.52%
Democratic
Eric Pendell
192
48.48%
District 15 — Jon Carpenter (D—Kansas City) — consists of Gladstone, Oaks, Oakview, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, and a part of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 15 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Jon Carpenter
12,835
100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 15 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Jon Carpenter
5,541
100.00%
+43.83
Missouri House of Representatives — District 15 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Jon Carpenter
9,294
56.17%
Republican
Kevin Corlew
7,251
43.83%
District 16 — Noel J. Shull (R—Kansas City) — consists of a part of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 16 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Noel J. Shull
16,969
100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 16 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Noel J. Shull
7,010
100.00%
+38.73
Missouri House of Representatives — District 16 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Noel J. Shull
11,290
61.27%
Democratic
Jim Sweere
7,138
38.73%
District 17 — Mark Ellebracht (D— Liberty) — consists of the communities of Birmingham, Claycomo, Glenaire, a part of Kansas City, and a part of Liberty.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 17 — Clay County (2010)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — District 17 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Mark Ellebracht
4,504
49.60%
+0.22
Republican
S. Nick King
4,576
50.40%
-0.22
Missouri House of Representatives — District 17 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Mark Ellebracht
8,500
49.38%
Republican
Myron Neth
8,713
50.62%
District 18 — Lauren Arthur (D— Kansas City) — consists of the communities of Avondale, part of Kansas City, and North Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 18 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Lauren Arthur
12,734
100.00%
+43.80
Missouri House of Representatives — District 18 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Lauren Arthur
4,284
56.20%
-43.80
Republican
Robert Rowland
3,339
43.80%
+43.80
Missouri House of Representatives — District 18 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Jay Swearingen
12,694
100.00%
District 38 — T.J. Berry (R— Kearney) — consists of Excelsior Springs, part of Kansas City, part of Kearney, part of Liberty, Missouri City, Mosby, and Prathersville.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 38 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
T.J. Berry
13,391
77.03%
-22.97
Libertarian
Brian Lautenschlager
3,993
22.97%
+22.97
Missouri House of Representatives — District 38 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
T.J. Berry
7,044
100.00%
+40.65
Missouri House of Representatives — District 38 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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, both of which are held by Republicans.
District 12 — Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) -- consists of the communities of Excelsior Springs, Holt, Kearney, Lawson, Missouri City, Mosby, Prathersville, and Smithville.
Missouri Senate — Senate 12 — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Dan Hegeman
9,718
100.00%
District 17 – Ryan Silvey (R-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 — District 17 — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Ryan Silvey
51,262
61.26%
+8.47
Democratic
J. Ranen Bechthold
32,422
38.74%
-8.47
Missouri Senate — District 17 — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Ryan Silvey
42,491
52.79%
Democratic
Sandra Reeves
37,997
47.21%
Federal[]
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Clay County (2016)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Clay County (2014)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Clay County (2012)
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
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 margins in favor of Republicans have only deepened as the social liberalism of the Democratic Party has cost them votes in white, rural states such as Missouri -- though 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%.
^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.