Clay, KY

Kentucky

Clay is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,112. Residents earn $43,884 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
1,112 Population 1,293/sq mi density
$43,884 Median Income $25,288 per capita
$75,600 Home Value $131,189 Zillow
$769 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$43,884 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,600 home value, $769/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,884
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,600
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.7%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $769
34% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.8%
5% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,112
Median Age31.8 yrs
Density1,293/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,884
Per Capita$25,288
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$539M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,600
Rent$769
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$131,189

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property86/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation381 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.7%
High School+90.7%
School Score5.30

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute35 min
Libraries3

Is Clay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clay receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Clay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clay is $43,884, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clay is $75,600, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $769 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Clay is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 86 per 100,000, 96% below the national average.

Education

18.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Clay enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Clay has a population of 1,112 with a density of 1,293 people per square mile. The median age is 31.8 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.6%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

1,112
Total Population
1,293
People / sq mi
31.8yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Clay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clay is $43,884, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Clay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,884
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,288
Avg Weekly Wage$1,010
IRS Avg AGI$60,826

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.8%
5% below US avg
Establishments (County)294
County GDP$539M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare21
Retail41
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,544
27% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.0 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Clay is $75,600, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $769 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $131,189.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,600
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$131,189

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$769
34% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$662
1 Bedroom$759
2 Bedrooms$866
3 Bedrooms$1,176
4 Bedrooms$1,308

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,544
27% below US avg
Effective Rate3.37%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.4%
Premature Death15,679/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access25.5%
Healthcare Facilities21
Clay has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 86 per 100,000 (96% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Clay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property85.8/100K
96% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft85.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Clay has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.5°F
6% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation381 ft (116 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density1,293/sq mi
Coordinates37.4759°N, 87.8203°W
County FIPS21233
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.1%
D 20.8%

Winner: Republican by 57.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.7%
45% below US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score5.30
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,293/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants12
Retail Stores41

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.0 min
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

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