Clay County, Missouri

County in Missouri, United States

U.S. county in Missouri

Clay County

U.S. county

South side of the Clay County Courthouse (designed by Wight and Wight) in Liberty

South side of the Clay County Courthouse (designed by Wight and Wight) in Liberty

Clay County

Flag

Location within the U.S. state of Missouri

Location within the U.S. state of Missouri

Missouri's location within the U.S.

Missouri's location within the U.S.

Country| File:Flag of the United States.svg United States
State| File:Flag of Missouri.svg Missouri
Founded| January 2, 1822
Named for| Henry Clay
Seat| Liberty
Largest city| Kansas City
Area

• Total| 409 sq mi (1,060 km2)
• Land| 397 sq mi (1,030 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  2.8%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 253,335
• Estimate

(2019)

| 249,948
• Density| 620/sq mi (240/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts| 5th, 6th
Website| www.claycountymo.gov

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,[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. Representative Henry Clay from Kentucky, later a 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. It also owns and operates the Midwest National Air Center in Excelsior Springs.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 2.2 Major highways
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2020 Census
* 4 Education
* 4.1 Public schools
* 4.2 Private schools
* 4.3 Postsecondary
* 5 Libraries, archives, museums
* 5.1 Libraries
* 5.2 Archives
* 5.3 Museums
* 6 Politics
* 6.1 Local
* 6.2 State
* 6.3 Federal
* 7 Communities
* 7.1 Cities and towns
* 7.2 Unincorporated communities
* 8 Notable people
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 Further reading
* 12 External links

## History[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.

### Adjacent counties[edit | edit source]

* Clinton County (north)
* Ray County (east)
* Jackson County (south)
* Wyandotte County, Kansas (southwest)
* Platte County (west)

### Major highways[edit | edit source]

* File:I-29 (MO).svg Interstate 29
* File:I-35 (MO).svg Interstate 35
* File:I-435 (MO).svg Interstate 435
* File:US 69.svg U.S. Route 69
* File:US 71.svg U.S. Route 71
* File:US 169.svg U.S. Route 169
* File:MO-1.svg Route 1
* File:MO-9.svg Route 9
* File:MO-10.svg Route 10
* File:MO-33.svg Route 33
* File:MO-92.svg Route 92
* File:MO-152.svg Route 152
* File:MO-210.svg Route 210
* File:MO-291.svg Route 291

## Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1830| 5,338| | —
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| | −4.8%
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[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[15]

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.

Registered voters number 151,042.[19]

### 2020 Census[edit | edit source]

Clay County Racial Composition[20] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 193,282  | 76.3%
Black or African American (NH)  | 17,853  | 7.04%
Native American (NH)  | 1,009  | 0.4%
Asian (NH)  | 6,059  | 2.4%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 1,004  | 0.4%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 15,278  | 6.03%
Hispanic or Latino | 18,850  | 7.44%

## Education[edit | edit source]

School districts include:[21]

K-12:

* Excelsior Springs 40 School District
* Kearney R-I School District
* Lawson R-XIV School District
* Liberty 53 School District
* North Kansas City 74 School District
* Platte County R-III School District
* Clinton County R-III School District
* Smithville R-II School District

Elementary-only district:

* Missouri City 56 School District

### Public schools[edit | edit source]

* Excelsior Springs School District No. 40 – Excelsior Springs
* Lewis Elementary School (PK–5)
* Cornerstone Elementary School (K–5)
* Elkhorn Elementary School (K-5)
* Excelsior Springs Middle School (6–8)
* Excelsior Springs High School (9–12)
* Excelsior Springs Technical High School (12) – Alternative/Technical School
* Kearney R-I School District – Kearney
* Dogwood Elementary School (PreK–5)
* Hawthorne Elementary School (K–5)
* Holt Elementary School (K–5)
* Kearney Elementary School (K–5)
* Southview Elementary School (K–5)
* Kearney Middle School (6–7)
* Kearney Junior High School (8–9)
* Kearney High School (10–12)
* Liberty School District No. 53 – Liberty
* Liberty Early Childhood Education Center (PreK)
* Alexander Doniphan Elementary School (K–5)
* Franklin Elementary School (K–5)
* Kellybrook Elementary School (K–5) – Kansas City
* Lewis & Clark Elementary School (K–5)
* Liberty Oaks Elementary School (K–5) – Kansas City
* Lillian Schumacher Elementary School (K–5)
* Manor Hill Elementary School (K–5)
* Ridgeview Elementary School (K–5)
* Shoal Creek Elementary School (K–5)
* Warren Hills Elementary School (K–5)
* Liberty Middle School (6–8)
* South Valley Middle School (6–8)
* Heritage Middle School (6–8)
* Discovery Middle School (6–8)
* Liberty High School (9–12)
* Liberty North High School (9–12)
* Missouri City School District No. 56 – Missouri City
* Missouri City Elementary School (K–8)
* North Kansas City School District No. 74 – North Kansas City
* Bell Prairie Elementary School (K–5)
* Briarcliff Elementary School (K–5)
* Chapel Hill Elementary School (K–5)
* Chouteu Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Clardy Elementary School (2–5)
* Crestview Elementary School (K–5)
* Davidson Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Fox Hill Elementary School (K–5)
* Gashland Elementary School (K–1)
* Gracemor Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Lakewood Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Linden West Elementary School (K–5) – Gladstone
* Maplewood Elementary School (K–5)
* Meadowbrook Elementary School (K–5)
* Nashua Elementary School (K–5)
* Northview Elementary School (K–5)
* Oakwood Manor Elementary School (K–5)
* Ravenwood Elementary School (K–5)
* Rising Hill Elementary School (K-5)
* Topping Elementary School (K–5)
* West Englewood Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Winnwood Elementary School (Pre-K–5)
* Antioch Middle School (6–8)
* Eastgate 6th Grade Center (6)
* Gateway 6th Grade Center (6)
* Maple Park Middle School (6–8)
* New Mark Middle School (6–8)
* Northgate Middle School (6–8)
* North Kansas City High School (9–12)
* Oak Park High School (Kansas City) (9–12)
* Staley High School (9–12)
* Winnetonka High School (9–12)
* Smithville R-II School District – Smithville
* Smithville Maple Elementary School (Pre-K–6)
* Smithville Horizon Elementary School (Pre-K-6)
* Smithville Eagle Heights Elementary School (Pre-K-6)
* Smithville Middle School (7–8)
* Smithville High School (9–12)

### Private schools[edit | edit source]

* Northland Christian School - Kansas City (Preschool-12) - Independent Christian
* Outreach Christian Early Education Center – Avondale (Pre-K–12) – Nondenominational Christian
* Oakhill Day School – Gladstone (Pre-K–7) – Nonsectarian – (Special Programs Emphasis)
* St. Andrew the Apostle Parish School – Gladstone (K–9) – Roman Catholic
* Northern Hills Christian Academy – Holt (K–9) – Baptist
* Prairie Church School – Holt (K–6)
* Covenant Memorial Baptist Day School – Kansas City (K) – Baptist
* Eagle Heights Christian School – Kansas City (Pre-K–12) – Baptist
* Faith Academy – Kansas City (Pre-K–12) – Nondenominational Christian
* St. Charles Borromeo School – Kansas City (K–9) – Roman Catholic
* St. Gabriel Catholic School –Kansas City (K–9) – Roman Catholic
* St. Patrick School – Kansas City (NS/Pre-K–8) – Roman Catholic
* St. Pius X High School – Kansas City (9–12) – Roman Catholic
* Liberty Montessori Center – Liberty (K–1) – Montessori
* St. James School – Liberty (K–9) – Roman Catholic

### Postsecondary[edit | edit source]

* Maple Woods :: Metropolitan Community College—Kansas City—A public, two-year Liberal Arts college
* William Jewell College – Liberty – A private, four-year Liberal Arts college.

## Libraries, archives, museums[edit | edit source]

### Libraries[edit | edit source]

* Mid-Continent Public Library
* North Kansas City Public Library[22]

### Archives[edit | edit source]

* Clay County Archives

### Museums[edit | edit source]

* Clay County Museum
* Jesse James Bank Museum

## Politics[edit | edit source]

File:Question book-new.svg

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|

### Local[edit | edit source]

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, Missouri

Elected countywide officials
Assessor|  Tracy Baldwin|  Republican
Auditor|  Victor S. Hurlbert|  Republican
Circuit Clerk|  Lee Bucksath|  Republican
County Clerk|  Megan Thompson|  Republican
Collector|  Lydia McEvoy|  Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)|  Jerry Nolte|  Republican
Commissioner
(Eastern District)|  Megan Thompson|  Republican
Commissioner
(Western District)|  Jon Carpenter|  Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney|  Dan White|  Democratic
Public Administrator|  Sarah Mills Rottgers|  Republican
Recorder|  Katee Porter|  Republican
Sheriff|  Will Akin|  Republican
Treasurer|  Bob Nance|  Republican

### State[edit | edit source]

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.

* District 8 — Randy Railsback (R— Hamilton) — Consists of Holt and Lawson.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Clay County (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Randy Railsback | 1,657 | 100.00% |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | James W. (Jim) Neely | 1,102 | 67.94% |
| Democratic | Caleb McKnight  | 518  | 31.94%  |
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 — Josh Hurlbert (R— Smithville) — consists of Smithville, a part of Kansas City, and a part of Kearney.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 12 — Clay County (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Josh Hurlbert | 11,313 | 64.70% |
| Democratic | Wade Hugh Kiefer  | 6,172  | 35.30%  |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 12 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Kenneth Wilson | 7,725 | 59.63% |
| Democratic | Sandy Van Wagner  | 5,221  | 40.30%  |
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 — Ashley Aune (D- Kansas City) — consists of a small part of Kansas City.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Clay County (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Ashley Aune | 508 | 64.63% |
| Republican | Eric Holmes  | 278  | 35.37%  |
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 — Maggie Nurrenbern (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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Maggie Nurrenbern | 10,581 | 58.12% |
| Republican | Steve West  | 7,624  | 41.88%  |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 15 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Jon Carpenter | 9,281 | 62.91% |
| Republican | Steve West  | 5,411  | 36.68%  |
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 — Chris Brown (R—Kansas City) — consists of a part of Kansas City.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 16 — Clay County (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Chris Brown | 15,638 | 57.48% |
| Democratic | James Shackelford  | 11,567  | 42.52%  |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 16 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Noel J. Shull | 10,771 | 55.11% |
| Democratic | Tom Gorenc  | 8,746  | 44.75%  |
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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Mark Ellebracht | 10,497 | 55.61% |
| Republican | Brandt Vircks  | 8,378  | 44.39%  |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 17 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Mark Ellebracht | 8,649 | 56.58% |
| Republican | Mary Hill  | 6,612  | 43.26%  |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 17 — Clay County (2016)  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 — Wes Rogers (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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Wes Rogers | 13,737 | 100.00% |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 18 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Wes Rogers | 8,358 | 56.87% |
| Republican | Sarah Mills  | 6,316  | 42.98%  |
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 — Doug Richey (R— Excelsior Springs) — 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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Doug Richey | 16,385 | 100.00% |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 38 — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Doug Richey | 9,341 | 57.72% |
| Democratic | Abby Zavos  | 6,823  | 42.16%  |
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 (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 12,666 | 63.50% |
| Democratic | Terry Richard  | 7,253  | 36.36%  |
Missouri Senate — Senate 12 — Clay County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 9,718 | 100.00% |

* District 17 – 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 — District 17 — Clay County (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Lauren Arthur | 51,690 | 53.38% |
| Republican | Mickey Younghanz  | 45,141  | 46.62%  |
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[edit | edit source]

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| 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 — 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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| 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 — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| 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 — 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 (2020)[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| 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 — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Clay County (2018)[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| 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 — 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%.

United States presidential election results for Clay County, Missouri[25] 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%

## Communities[edit | edit source]

### Cities and towns[edit | edit source]

* Avondale
* Birmingham
* Claycomo
* Excelsior Estates (mostly in Ray County)
* Excelsior Springs (small part in Ray County)
* Gladstone
* Glenaire
* Holt (partly in Clinton County)
* Kansas City (partly in Jackson and Platte Counties and a small part in Cass County)
* Kearney
* Lawson (partly in Ray County)
* Liberty (county seat)
* Missouri City
* Mosby
* North Kansas City
* Oaks
* Oakview
* Oakwood
* Oakwood Park
* Pleasant Valley
* Prathersville
* Randolph
* Smithville (small part in Platte County)
* Sugar Creek

### Unincorporated communities[edit | edit source]

* Arley
* Chandler
* Claysville
* Clevenger
* Ectonville
* Miltondale
* Roosterville
* Stockdale
* Winner

## Notable people[edit | edit source]

* Frank James, born in Clay County in 1843
* Jesse James, born in Clay County in 1847
* John Ellis Martineau, Governor of Arkansas (1927–1928), born in Clay County in 1873
* Noah Beery, Sr., actor
* Wallace Beery, actor

## See also[edit | edit source]

* List of counties in Missouri
* Mormon War (1838)
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Clay County, Missouri

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 277.
4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
5. ^ T. J. Stiles, Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War, New York: Vintage Books, 2003, pp.10-11
6. ^ "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.
7. ^ Frazier, Harriet C. (2001). Slavery and Crime in Missouri, 1773-1865. McFarland. p. 170\. ISBN 9780786409778.
8. ^ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 144-145
9. ^ "Kansas City Missouri LDS (Mormon) Temple". Ldschurchtemples.com. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
15. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/claycountymissouri/PST045216[dead link]
19. ^ IT, Missouri Secretary of State -. "Registered Voters in Missouri". www.sos.mo.gov. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
20. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clay County, Missouri".
21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Clay County, MO" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 9, 2022. \- Text list
22. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "North Kansas City Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Clay County 2020 Election Results" (PDF). Clay County Elections.
24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Clay County 2018 Election Results" (PDF). Clay County Elections.
25. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.

## Further reading[edit | edit source]

* Woodson, W.H. History of Clay County, Missouri (1920) online

## External links[edit | edit source]

Coordinates: 39°19′N 94°25′W﻿ / ﻿39.31°N 94.42°W﻿ / 39.31; -94.42

* Clay County government's website Archived February 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
* Clay County Economic Development Council website
* Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Clay County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
* Missouri Historical Sites Archived November 2, 2020, at the Wayback Machine

Places adjacent to Clay County, Missouri

|  | Clinton County |

|
|

| North |
Platte County |

WestClay County, MissouriEast

| Ray County
| South |
Wyandotte County, Kansas | Jackson County |

* v
* t
* e

Kansas City metropolitan area's cities and counties

Central city|

* Kansas City, Missouri

Map of the Kansas City Metropolitan area

Largest cities
(over 100,000 in 2000)|

* Independence
* Kansas City, Kansas
* Olathe
* Overland Park

Medium-sized cities
(10,000 to 100,000 in 2000)|

* Blue Springs
* Belton
* Excelsior Springs
* Gladstone
* Grandview
* Lansing
* Leawood
* Leavenworth
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* Lenexa
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* Merriam
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Smaller Cities
(between 5,000 and 9,900 in 2010)|

* De Soto
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Counties|

* Jackson
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* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Clay County, Missouri, United States

County seat: Liberty

Cities|

* Avondale
* Excelsior Springs‡
* Gladstone
* Glenaire
* Holt‡
* Independence‡
* Kansas City‡
* Kearney
* Liberty
* Lawson‡
* Missouri City
* Mosby
* North Kansas City
* Pleasant Valley
* Randolph
* Smithville‡
* Sugar Creek‡

Map of Missouri highlighting Clay County

Villages|

* Birmingham
* Claycomo
* Excelsior Estates‡
* Oaks
* Oakview
* Oakwood
* Oakwood Park
* Prathersville

Townships|

* Chouteau
* Fishing River
* Gallatin
* Kearney
* Liberty
* Platte
* Washington

CDP|

* Paradise

Other
communities|

* Arley
* Chandler
* Claysville
* Clevenger
* Ectonville
* Miltondale
* Stockdale
* Winner

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
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* e

State of Missouri

Jefferson City (capital)

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