Clay Center City Hall is the municipal office for Clay Center, Nebraska, at 219 West Fairfield Street. Clay Center is the county seat of Clay County, population 735. Laid out 1879 and named for Kentucky statesman Henry Clay. Mayor-council government; the City Council meets in the Community Room at the city office the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30. The Clay County Courthouse here handles voter registration, motor vehicle registration and driver licensing. Public safety comes from a volunteer fire department and one part-time city police officer, backed by the county sheriff and the State Patrol. The Community Room is available for public rental. The USDA Agricultural Research Service's Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center is a significant area employer.