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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Clay County

Kentucky · 20,345 residents · 469.296 sq mi
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The short version

Clay County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $27,479. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 4,211 residents. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $61,300. The poverty rate of 34.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 47% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
9% 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
20,345
−17%since 2000
from 24,556 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
43 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 52 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.8
+18%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K25K1990201020202024Clay County
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,479
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,271 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,905
+64%since 2000
from $9,716 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
34.9%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 39.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food4.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing1.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$61,300
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$535
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $292 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
29.1% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+5%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-Hispanic93%(22,833)
Black4.7%(1,151)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(333)
Asian0.1%(28)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.7%(3,620)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.8%(18,686)
Black4%(816)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(353)
Asian0.1%(21)
Other2.7%(551)
Diversity Score20.1%(4,084)
Segregation Score66.8%(13,590)
Diversity Score
20
+36%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
67
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
66.6%
+17.2 ptssince 2000
from 49.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.3 min
+39%since 2000
from 22.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.5%
−16.6 ptssince 2011
from 26.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
38.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 36.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.2%
−31.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Female
47.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.2%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Clay County

Monroe County
Pop 18,965
Ben Hill County
Pop 17,099
St. Francis County
Pop 21,800
Marengo County
Pop 18,311
Places similar to Clay County
Head to head

Compare Clay County to nearby counties

CLAY COUNTY VS
Owsley County
Income$22,188−19%
Home value$80,100+31%
Population3,932−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Leslie County
Income$35,934+31%
Home value$69,000+13%
Population9,627−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Knox County
Income$32,527+18%
Home value$118,700+94%
Population29,532+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Laurel County
Income$57,771+110%
Home value$159,500+160%
Population63,746+227%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay County, Kentucky?

Clay County, Kentucky has about 20,345 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clay County, Kentucky earns about $27,479 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay County, Kentucky expensive?

In Clay County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $61,300, and the typical rent is about $535 a month.

How educated are people in Clay County, Kentucky?

About 9.5% of adults age 25 and over in Clay County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay County, Kentucky?

About 34.9% of people in Clay County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay County, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,401 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9503.02Census Tract 9502.02Census Tract 9502.01Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9505Census Tract 9503.01Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9506
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 40962ZIP 40972ZIP 40914ZIP 40941
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →