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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Clay County

North Carolina · 11,089 residents · 215.001 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 $42,160. Population has grown 26% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $197,600. With a median age of 55.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 26% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 55.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,089
+26%since 2000
from 8,775 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
52 / sq mi
+26%since 2000
from 41 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
55.3
+18%since 2000
from 46.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K8K9K11K12K1990201020202024Clay County
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,160
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,397 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,744
+80%since 2000
from $18,221 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.1%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade13.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$197,600
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$682
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $408 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.5% in 2000
20.3% rent
Afford Score
4.7
+62%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(8,536)
Black0.8%(70)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(73)
Asian0.1%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.3%(374)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(10,044)
Black0.5%(60)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(438)
Asian0.4%(40)
Other1.3%(145)
Diversity Score15.2%(1,683)
Segregation Score50.5%(5,595)
Diversity Score
15
+256%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
50
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.0%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.1%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+35%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 12.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 50.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.3%
−24.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.8%
−61.5 ptssince 2013
from 76.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Clay County

Prowers County
Pop 11,884
Towns County
Pop 13,285
Washington County
Pop 11,583
Clay County
Pop 12,793
Places similar to Clay County
Head to head

Compare Clay County to nearby counties

CLAY COUNTY VS
Towns County
Income$59,135+40%
Home value$316,100+60%
Population13,285+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Cherokee County
Income$53,628+27%
Home value$232,300+18%
Population30,830+152%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Macon County
Income$59,061+40%
Home value$251,900+27%
Population39,232+221%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY COUNTY VS
Union County
Income$66,176+57%
Home value$307,400+56%
Population27,859+128%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay County, North Carolina?

Clay County, North Carolina has about 11,089 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clay County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Clay County, North Carolina earns about $42,160 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay County, North Carolina expensive?

In Clay County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $197,600, and the typical rent is about $682 a month.

How educated are people in Clay County, North Carolina?

About 27.0% of adults age 25 and over in Clay County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay County, North Carolina?

About 13.5% of people in Clay County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,934 residents, a change of about 55 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9501.01Census Tract 9502.01Census Tract 9502.02Census Tract 9501.02
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 28904ZIP 28909ZIP 28902
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →