CountyScore

Clay County

Alabama · AL

#3 in Alabama
76.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, Alabama

Clay County ranks among nation's best-living counties

Clay County's composite score of 76.5 places it in the 76th percentile nationally, significantly exceeding the U.S. median of 50.0. This top-quartile performance makes it the strongest performer among these eight Alabama counties, driven by exceptional risk management and cost efficiency.

Leads Alabama's eight counties decisively

At 76.5, Clay County significantly outpaces Alabama's state average of 70.8, ranking among the state's top-performing counties. The 5.7-point advantage over the state mean is the largest lead of any county in this comparison group.

Risk resilience and affordability create excellence

Clay County's risk score of 73.3 leads this entire group, indicating exceptional protection from natural hazards, economic disruption, or health emergencies. Combined with the second-lowest effective tax rate (0.225%) and the lowest median rent ($624/month), the county delivers unmatched overall stability and affordability.

Income opportunities remain modest

Median household income of $51,852 (score: 17.2) falls in the middle range for this group, offering limited upside for career-focused residents. While the strong risk and cost profiles are compelling, wage-earning households may find limited high-paying employment options.

Premier choice for security-minded, stable residents

Clay County is the ideal choice for those prioritizing stability, low risk, and maximum affordability—particularly retirees, remote workers, and families with established income. The exceptional combination of safety, fiscal efficiency, and cost-of-living advantages makes it the strongest all-around livability destination in this cohort.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax95.9Cost90.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.2Risk73.3WaterComing Soon
🏛95.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Clay County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Martin County
Indiana
76.5
Median income: $65,345
Traverse County
Minnesota
76.5
Median income: $65,931
Worth County
Missouri
76.5
Median income: $46,167
Granite County
Montana
76.5
Median income: $54,646
Blaine County
Nebraska
76.5
Median income: $61,250

Deep Dives

Clay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clay County

via TaxByCounty

Clay County taxes rank among lowest

Clay County's 0.225% effective rate places it in the bottom 4% nationally, with homeowners paying just $326 annually on the median home—less than one-eighth the U.S. median of $2,690. This positions Clay among the most tax-friendly counties in America.

Well below Alabama's state average

At 0.225%, Clay County sits well below Alabama's state average of 0.339%, ranking in the lowest tier among state counties. The county's median tax of $326 is 36% below Alabama's median of $511.

Lower rate than most regional peers

Clay County's 0.225% rate beats neighboring Chambers (0.382%), Cherokee (0.388%), and Chilton (0.336%), though remains higher than Choctaw's extraordinary 0.178%. Compared to Cleburne County at 0.289%, Clay residents enjoy the lower effective rate.

Just $326 on median home annually

On Clay County's median home value of $144,700, homeowners owe approximately $326 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage escrow, the annual bill reaches $377—remarkably affordable for county residents.

Verify assessments to lock savings in

Clay County homeowners should examine their property assessments for errors or overvaluation, which can occur even in low-tax counties. A free appeal process allows residents to challenge and potentially reduce their assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay County leads on affordability index

Clay County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this eight-county cohort and well below the national norm, driven by a median household income of $51,852 paired with just $624 monthly rent. Residents here enjoy the strongest housing affordability relative to earnings of any peer county.

Top performer on Alabama affordability scale

Clay County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio dramatically underperforms Alabama's state average of 18.0%, placing it among the state's most affordable markets. The $624 median rent is the lowest in this sample, well below the state average of $799.

Unmatched rental savings in county group

Clay's $624 rent is $126 cheaper than Cherokee ($750) and $229 below Chilton ($855), offering the region's deepest rental discounts. The 14.4% rent-to-income ratio stands alone as the best bargain among its peers.

Minimal housing cost burden statewide

Monthly rent of $624 takes just 14.4% of Clay's $51,852 median household income, while homeownership averages $473 per month on $144,700-valued homes. Total housing costs consume roughly 21% of income—the lowest percentage in the entire sample.

Clay County: Alabama's affordability champion

For relocators prioritizing minimal housing expense without sacrificing income potential, Clay County delivers an unmatched combination of low rents, reasonable ownership costs, and strong affordability ratios. At 14.4%, its rent-to-income ratio beats every peer county decisively.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County earns 31% below national median

Clay County's median household income of $51,852 falls $22,903 short of the $74,755 national median, placing it in the lower-income tier across the nation. Per capita income of $29,268 closely mirrors Alabama's state average of $29,701, indicating balanced income distribution.

Slightly above Alabama's state average income

At $51,852, Clay County exceeds Alabama's median household income of $54,196 by 4%, ranking it in the middle of the state's 67 counties. The per capita income of $29,268 sits right at the state average, suggesting typical wealth concentration for rural Alabama.

Middle income among region's rural counties

Clay County's $51,852 sits between Cherokee County ($50,769) and Cleburne County ($53,319), clustering within a tight $3,000 range. These northeast Alabama counties share similar small-town economies and manufacturing-dependent employment.

Clay has the region's best rent affordability

At just 14.4%, Clay County's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among its neighbors and well below the 30% affordability threshold, leaving room in household budgets. Median home values of $144,700 are within reach for families at the county median income.

Your affordability advantage enables savings

Clay County's exceptional housing affordability of 14.4% creates breathing room to save 10–15% of income toward retirement and investments. Establish automatic transfers to a high-yield savings account, then funnel surplus into low-cost index funds through an IRA or 401(k).

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy significantly below national

Clay County residents live to 71.8 years, about 5.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 77.4 years, with 24.6% reporting poor or fair health. The county reflects broader rural health disparities across the Southeast.

Near Alabama's state average

At 71.8 years, Clay County's life expectancy sits just below Alabama's 72.1-year average, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Its 24.6% poor/fair health rate is elevated relative to the state.

Middling health among surrounding counties

Clay's 71.8-year life expectancy trails Choctaw (73.1) and Cherokee (72.4) but edges past Chambers (71.9) and Clarke (70.0). Its 10.6% uninsured rate is the lowest among surveyed counties, yet health outcomes remain challenging.

Best insurance coverage, limited providers

Clay County leads the survey with just 10.6% uninsured—below the state average of 11.1%—but has only 28 primary care and 21 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Even well-insured residents struggle to find nearby physicians.

Keep existing coverage strong

Clay's impressive 10.6% uninsured rate shows progress, but protecting that coverage matters: every uninsured family is at risk. If you're among the 10.6% without insurance, enroll at healthcare.gov to join your neighbors with stable access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay County Ranks Among America's Safest

Clay County's composite score of 26.69 ranks in the Very Low category, well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile means residents enjoy some of the best multi-hazard protection in the nation.

One of Alabama's Safest Counties Overall

At 26.69, Clay County dramatically underperforms Alabama's state average of 61.54, making it one of the state's two safest counties. This protection spans most hazard types, though wildfire risk (71.09) remains notably elevated.

Safest County in Its Regional Cluster

Clay County's 26.69 score makes it substantially safer than neighboring Cleburne County (27.48), Chilton County (54.71), and Cherokee County (63.33). This relative isolation as a low-risk area reflects favorable geography across multiple hazard dimensions.

Wildfire Risk Stands Above Other Threats

Wildfire risk (71.09) represents Clay County's most notable hazard, despite the county's overall safety. Tornado risk (67.18) and hurricane risk (67.50) remain secondary concerns, all moderate compared to state standards.

Focus on Wildfire and Standard Coverage

Clay County homeowners should ensure standard homeowners insurance and evaluate wildfire-specific protections if near forested areas. Your county's exceptional overall safety means basic coverage typically suffices for most properties.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.