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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Clay County

Mississippi · 18,636 residents · 410.072 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 $33,209. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 3,343 residents. 20% 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 $96,700. The poverty rate of 25.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 29% less than the Mississippi median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% 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
18,636
−15%since 2000
from 21,979 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
45 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 54 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.6
+26%since 2000
from 33.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K19K20K21K22K1990201020202024Clay County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,209
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,372 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,402
+54%since 2000
from $14,512 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.3%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 23.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade27.4%
US avg: 10%
Information14.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,700
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$680
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $364 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
29.8% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+37%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-Hispanic42.5%(9,332)
Black56.1%(12,331)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(190)
Asian0.2%(35)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.6%(13,758)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.6%(7,196)
Black57.9%(10,785)
Hispanic / Latino1%(186)
Asian0.3%(57)
Other1.3%(251)
Diversity Score63.4%(11,816)
Segregation Score25.7%(4,787)
Diversity Score
63
+1%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
26
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.7%
+15.1 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+43%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 18.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.3%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 58.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.4%
−34.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Female
53.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.9%
−68.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Clay County

Macon County
Pop 18,132
Marengo County
Pop 18,311
Ashley County
Pop 17,831
Sharp County
Pop 18,122
Places similar to Clay County
Head to head

Compare Clay County to nearby counties

CLAY COUNTY VS
Oktibbeha County
Income$46,695+41%
Home value$237,700+146%
Population51,896+185%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Chickasaw County
Income$43,586+31%
Home value$109,800+14%
Population16,730−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Monroe County
Income$51,866+56%
Home value$120,800+25%
Population33,318+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Lowndes County
Income$53,812+62%
Home value$164,100+70%
Population57,346+214%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay County, Mississippi?

Clay County, Mississippi has about 18,636 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clay County, Mississippi earns about $33,209 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay County, Mississippi expensive?

In Clay County, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $96,700, and the typical rent is about $680 a month.

How educated are people in Clay County, Mississippi?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Clay County, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay County, Mississippi?

About 25.0% of people in Clay County, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay County, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay County, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,484 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9505Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9502
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 39773ZIP 39756ZIP 39741ZIP 39755
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →