Clay Center, KS Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Clay Center Safe?
Yes — Clay Center is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Clay Center has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 514.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 514
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 77
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Clay Center Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Clay Center Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Clay Center Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Clay Center zip codes.
Clay Center Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Clay Center, KS?
Clay Center, KS has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 514 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 77 chance for property crime. Clay Center has lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Clay Center, KS safe to live in?
Clay Center is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Clay Center is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Clay Center?
The estimated violent crime rate in Clay Center is 194.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 514 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (43% below average); aggravated assault at 134.5 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 42.2 per 100K (43% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Clay Center?
The estimated property crime rate in Clay Center is 1,297.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 77 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 156.1 per 100K (42% below average); larceny/theft at 941.0 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 200.5 per 100K (37% below average).
How does Clay Center crime compare to the national average?
Clay Center's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (33% below average), while rape is 55% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Clay Center has lower crime than 94% of them.
Is Clay Center safe to visit?
Clay Center is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Clay Center crime compare to the rest of Kansas?
Kansas as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Clay Center's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kansas city.
What type of crime is most common in Clay Center?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Clay Center, with an estimated rate of 941.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,298 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (195 per 100K) in Clay Center, which is consistent with national trends.