Clay, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Clay is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,576. Residents earn $82,094 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
1,576 Population 704/sq mi density
$82,094 Median Income $43,893 per capita
$265,300 Home Value
$916 Median Rent 23.2% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$82,094 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$265,300 home value, $916/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,094
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $265,300
6% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.1%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $916
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
41% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,576
Median Age54.1 yrs
Density704/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans10.6%

Economy

A+
Median Income$82,094
Per Capita$43,893
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$39,951M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$265,300
Rent$916
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units661
Rent Burden23.2%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.1 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation394 ft (120 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.1%
High School+81.6%
Graduate+9.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute29 min
Broadband88.5%
Libraries17

Is Clay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clay receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Clay stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clay is $82,094, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clay is $265,300, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $916 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Clay experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Clay has a population of 1,576 with a density of 704 people per square mile. The median age is 54.1 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

1,576
Total Population
704
People / sq mi
54.1yrs
Median Age
39% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Clay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clay is $82,094, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Clay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,094
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$43,893
Avg Weekly Wage$1,153
IRS Avg AGI$82,509

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
41% below US avg
Establishments (County)14,605
County GDP$39,951M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,139
Healthcare1,279
Retail1,900
Manufacturing1,012

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,335
81% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Drive Alone78.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Clay is $265,300, 6% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $916 (21% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$265,300
6% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$916
21% below US avg
Rent Burden23.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.6%
Housing Units661
Median Year Built1987

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,335
81% above US avg
Effective Rate2.39%
Clay has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.1 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.3°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.1 inches
11% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation394 ft (120 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²)
Population Density704/sq mi
Coordinates40.2190°N, 76.2390°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42071
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16-point margin. 88.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.5%
D 41.5%

Winner: Republican by 16 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.1%
43% below US avg
High School+81.6%
Graduate Degree+9.1%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density704/sq mi
Total Area2.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.5%
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities1,279
Restaurants1,139
Retail Stores1,900

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Drive Alone78.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.9%

Nearby Cities

Brickerville, PA 1,302 pop · 2.6 mi Ephrata, PA 13,729 pop · 4.1 mi Rothsville, PA 2,889 pop · 4.6 mi Akron, PA 4,133 pop · 4.6 mi Denver, PA 3,775 pop · 5.3 mi Lititz, PA 9,599 pop · 5.7 mi Reamstown, PA 3,445 pop · 6.4 mi Reinholds, PA 2,226 pop · 7.1 mi Swartzville, PA 1,804 pop · 8.4 mi Leola, PA 8,107 pop · 9.1 mi Manheim, PA 5,028 pop · 9.1 mi Newmanstown, PA 3,270 pop · 9.3 mi Adamstown, PA 2,387 pop · 9.4 mi Cornwall, PA 4,602 pop · 9.5 mi
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