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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Clay County

Iowa · 16,384 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 $51,259. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $129,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,384
−6%since 2000
from 17,372 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
29 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 31 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.8
+9%since 2000
from 39.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K16K17K17K18K1990201020202024Clay County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,259
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,799 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,707
+53%since 2000
from $19,451 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.7%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$129,700
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$693
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $379 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
28.2% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+20%since 2000
from 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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(15,025)
Black0.6%(99)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(704)
Asian0.6%(105)
Other2.3%(379)
Diversity Score18.6%(3,053)
Segregation Score20.4%(3,339)
Diversity Score
19
+255%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
20
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.9%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.6%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.0 min
+62%since 2000
from 10.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.3%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 69.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.9%
−24.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.7%
−85.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+47%
Home value$270,700+109%
Population18,077+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Buena Vista County
Income$71,719+40%
Home value$159,500+23%
Population20,449+26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
O'Brien County
Income$68,356+33%
Home value$173,100+33%
Population14,220−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Palo Alto County
Income$72,781+42%
Home value$123,200−5%
Population8,899−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay County, Iowa?

Clay County, Iowa has about 16,384 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clay County, Iowa earns about $51,259 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 $129,700, and the typical rent is about $693 a month.

How educated are people in Clay County, Iowa?

About 23.9% 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 10.4% of people in Clay County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,201 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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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 →