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COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Clay County

Iowa · 17,585 residents · 567.238 sq mi
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The short version

Clay County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $25,028. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $41,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 35.1
US median: 33.0
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,585
+1%vs 2000
vs 17,372 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
+1%vs 2000
vs 31 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
35.1
−11%vs 2000
vs 39.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K16K17K17K18K1990201020202024Clay County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,028
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $35,799 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,314
−37%vs 2000
vs $19,451 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
10.0%
+1.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 8.2% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$41,100
−28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $75,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$265
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $379 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
65.4%
−3.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 69.1% in 2000
34.6% rent
Afford Score
1.6
−22%vs 2000
vs 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(16,902)
Black0.2%(30)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(196)
Asian0.8%(142)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.2%(911)
1990
White, non-Hispanic99.3%(17,464)
Black0%(8)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(32)
Asian0.1%(26)
Other0.5%(87)
Diversity Score2.2%(379)
Diversity Score
2
−59%vs 2000
vs 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.5%
−1.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 16.3% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
84.8%
−3.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 88.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
2.4%
−0.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+88%vs 2000
vs 10.4 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Clay County

Dade County
Pop 16,154
Union County
Pop 16,250
Hancock County
Pop 16,803
Bond County
Pop 16,959
Places similar to Clay County
Head to head

Compare Clay County to nearby counties

CLAY COUNTY VS
Dickinson County
Income$75,432+201%
Home value$270,700+559%
Population18,077+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Buena Vista County
Income$71,719+187%
Home value$159,500+288%
Population20,449+26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
O'Brien County
Income$68,356+173%
Home value$173,100+321%
Population14,220−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Palo Alto County
Income$72,781+191%
Home value$123,200+200%
Population8,899−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay County, Iowa?

Clay County, Iowa has about 17,585 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Clay County, Iowa?

The typical household in Clay County, Iowa earns about $25,028 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay County, Iowa expensive?

In Clay County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $41,100, and the typical rent is about $265 a month.

How educated are people in Clay County, Iowa?

About 14.5% of adults age 25 and over in Clay County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay County, Iowa?

About 10.0% of people in Clay County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 802Census Tract 803.01Census Tract 804Census Tract 803.02Census Tract 801
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 51301ZIP 51357ZIP 51338ZIP 51047ZIP 51033ZIP 51333ZIP 51366ZIP 51343ZIP 51340ZIP 51341
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →