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Clay City, IL

Illinois

Clay City is a small town in Illinois with a population of 744. Residents earn $53,750 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
744 Population 418/sq mi density
$53,750 Median Income $29,155 per capita
$75,500 Home Value $106,309 Zillow
$585 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$53,750 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,500 home value, $585/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,750
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,500
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.6%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $585
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.3%
136% higher than US avg

How Clay City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population744
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density418/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

C+
Median Income$53,750
Per Capita$29,155
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty29.3%
County GDP$699M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,500
Rent$585
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$106,309
Housing Units399
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity40.0%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking16.5%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation435 ft (133 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.6%
High School+87.0%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.01

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute26 min
Broadband82.2%
Libraries1

Is Clay City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clay City receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Clay City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clay City is $53,750, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 29.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clay City is $75,500, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $585 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Clay City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches, including 11.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Clay City has a population of 744 with a density of 418 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 1.2% Black.

Population

744
Total Population
418
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Clay City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clay City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clay City is $53,750, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Clay City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,750
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,155
Avg Weekly Wage$977
IRS Avg AGI$59,796

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.3%
136% above US avg
Establishments (County)314
County GDP$699M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare43
Retail47
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,567
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.6 min
Drive Alone88.9%
Public Transit1.2%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clay City is $75,500, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $585 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $106,309.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,500
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$106,309

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$585
50% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$632
1 Bedroom$707
2 Bedrooms$916
3 Bedrooms$1,167
4 Bedrooms$1,308

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.2%
Housing Units399
Median Year Built1970

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,567
2% above US avg
Effective Rate4.72%
In Clay City, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Clay City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.4%
Short Sleep36.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.9%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits60.8%
Premature Death8,233/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access45.3%
Healthcare Facilities43
Clay City has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.0 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.1°F
2% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.0 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall11.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation435 ft (133 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density418/sq mi
Coordinates38.6858°N, 88.3486°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 67.3-point margin. 82.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.9%
D 15.6%

Winner: Republican by 67.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.6%
80% below US avg
High School+87.0%
Graduate Degree+1.5%
School Test Score5.01
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density418/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.2%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants24
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.6 min
Drive Alone88.9%
Public Transit1.2%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 6.9 mi Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 10.3 mi Olney, IL 8,864 pop · 14.6 mi Fairfield, IL 4,658 pop · 21.1 mi Newton, IL 2,852 pop · 23.1 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 25.9 mi Sumner, IL 2,229 pop · 26.1 mi Albion, IL 2,107 pop · 26.5 mi Wayne City, IL 1,050 pop · 26.7 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 31.6 mi Bridgeport, IL 1,819 pop · 31.9 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 31.9 mi Oblong, IL 1,617 pop · 32.2 mi Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 33.2 mi
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