countyscore
43.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 88.8Water Quality 71.1Property Tax 58.4

County Report Card

About Clay County, Florida

Close to national average, income-driven

Clay County scores 44.0, just 6 points below the national median of 50.0, reflecting a mixed livability profile. The county is dragged down by affordability challenges despite strong income performance, showing a classic trade-off between earning potential and cost of living.

Near Florida's state average

At 44.0, Clay County sits just 1.1 points below Florida's 45.1 average, placing it squarely in the middle tier of state counties. The county neither leads nor lags significantly, making it representative of Florida's typical livability landscape.

High incomes and solid water quality

Clay County excels in income (89.3) with a median household income of $86,094, ranking among Florida's strongest earners. Water quality also scores competitively at 71.1, supporting outdoor recreation and environmental health.

Housing costs severely limit affordability

The county's cost score of just 11.5 reflects a critical affordability crisis, with median home values of $281,500 and median rent of $1,464—well above state norms. Safety (47.5) and risk management (18.9) also trail desired levels, requiring attention to community resilience.

For high earners who can afford it

Clay County appeals to affluent professionals and established families with strong incomes who prioritize good schools (45.3) and economic stability. Those on modest incomes or seeking affordable housing should avoid this county, as price-to-income ratios are among Florida's worst.

2040608010058.411.247.557.745.388.818.971.119.8Tax58.4Cost11.2Safety47.5Health57.7Schools45.3Income88.8Risk18.9Water71.1Weather19.843.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Clay County DNA

Foverall

How Clay County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Clay County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (88.8/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (11.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
58.4
Cost
11.2-36.8
Safety
47.5
Health
57.7
Schools
45.3-8.700000000000003
Income
88.8+37.8
Risk
18.9-28.1
Water
71.1+13.099999999999994
Weather
19.8-36.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Clay County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$312,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,551/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$312,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$62,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $87,820/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Mendocino County
California
Median income: $68,092
43.9
Polk County
Georgia
Median income: $58,515
43.9
Dutchess County
New York
Median income: $99,478
43.9
Laurens County
South Carolina
Median income: $57,623
43.9
Parmer County
Texas
Median income: $69,735
43.9
Coffee County
Alabama
Median income: $68,353
43.8
Saline County
Arkansas
Median income: $79,046
44
Moffat County
Colorado
Median income: $73,849
43.8

Nearby counties

Bradford County
Florida
58.8
St. Johns County
Florida
50.6
Putnam County
Florida
37.9
Duval County
Florida
30.4
Union County
Florida
54.5
Baker County
Florida
44.5
Alachua County
Florida
31.9
Nassau County
Florida
48.3

Deep Dives

Clay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clay County

via TaxByCounty

Clay County taxes slightly above average

At 0.739%, Clay County's effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.731%, placing it in the upper-middle 50% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $2,080 annually on a median home valued at $281,500—close to the national median home price of $281,900.

Just above Florida's typical rate

Clay County ranks slightly above average among Florida counties with a 0.739% effective rate compared to the state average of 0.731%. Annual taxes here average $2,080 versus Florida's statewide median of $1,885.

Higher taxes than most regional peers

Clay County's 0.739% rate tops Citrus (0.591%) and Escambia (0.600%) counties but matches Columbia County's 0.743%. It significantly undercuts Duval County's 0.779% effective rate.

What $281,500 home costs annually

On Clay County's median home value of $281,500, residents pay approximately $2,080 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage-related taxes, annual costs rise to about $2,273.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Many Florida homeowners are overassessed relative to market value, and Clay County residents can file an appeal with the Property Appraiser's office. The process is typically free and could lower your taxable assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County outpaces national income levels

Clay County's median household income of $86,094 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by over $11,000—a 15% advantage. This strong performance places Clay County well above the typical American household, ranking it among higher-earning Florida counties.

Florida's top income earners

At $86,094, Clay County surpasses Florida's state average of $65,468 by more than $20,000. This income level places Clay County in Florida's upper tier, reflecting a robust local economy and higher-wage employment base.

Outearns comparable county rivals

Clay County's $86,094 income outpaces neighboring Duval County ($68,447) by roughly $18,000 annually. This gap reflects Clay County's appeal to affluent commuters and professionals, particularly those working in Jacksonville-area industries.

Income comfortably covers housing costs

At 20.4%, Clay County's rent-to-income ratio sits right at the ideal benchmark, meaning renters spend about $1,460 monthly on housing. The median home value of $281,500 remains within reasonable reach for households at this income level, supporting both stability and wealth building.

Prime position for long-term investing

Households earning $86,000+ have meaningful capacity to invest beyond basic savings. Diversifying into index funds, real estate, or tax-advantaged retirement accounts can accelerate wealth creation and position families for generational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clay County

via CrimeByCounty

Clay County Boasts Strong National Safety Stats

Clay County earns an impressive safety score of 98.1 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1,179.6 per 100,000 people is much lower than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Matching the Florida Safety Standard

The county’s safety profile aligns closely with Florida’s average safety score of 98.4. Ten reporting agencies work to keep the crime rate stable compared to the state's average of 1,027.9 per 100,000 residents.

Clay County Safety vs. Nearby Areas

Clay County reports a total crime rate of 1,179.6, which is slightly higher than Citrus County's 1,157.4. However, it remains significantly safer than Duval County, where the crime rate reaches 3,132.8.

Violent vs. Property Crime Realities

Most local incidents involve property, with a rate of 935.6 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 244.0 is higher than the state average of 206.5, suggesting a need for continued community vigilance.

Stay Proactive with Home Security

Given that property crime is the primary challenge, home security systems provide essential peace of mind. Visible cameras and smart doorbells often discourage potential intruders from targeting residential properties.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Clay County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Soils of Clay County

Despite its name, Clay County's soil pH is quite low at 4.76, making it more acidic than the state average of 4.88. This level is significantly below the national median of 6.5, requiring lime amendments for many traditional crops. Detailed taxonomic data is currently limited for this region.

Surprisingly High Sand Content

The soil composition is 87.8% sand, which is even higher than some of its coastal neighbors. Clay and silt account for only 2.9% and 3.5% respectively, meaning the 'Clay' name doesn't describe the surface texture. This mix results in very loose soil that drains almost instantly but lacks structural workability.

Modest Nutrient and Water Retention

Organic matter stands at 5.01%, which is lower than the Florida average of 8.03% but still more than double the national average. The available water capacity is low at 0.085 in/in, well below the state average of 0.108 in/in. This combination necessitates regular fertilizing and watering to sustain healthy plant life.

Hydrology in a Sandy Landscape

Official drainage and hydrologic group data are not listed for this county in the current survey. However, the high 87.8% sand content suggests that the land functions as a well-draining system with little runoff risk. For construction, this typically means a stable, dry base, though it requires careful management of groundwater leaching.

Planting Success in Zone 9b

Clay County sits in Zone 9b, supporting a wide variety of subtropical plants and winter vegetables. The sandy, acidic conditions are perfect for growing strawberries, watermelons, and native pines. Enriching your plot with organic mulch will help overcome the low water capacity and produce a bountiful harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clay County

via LawnByCounty

Clay County beats the state average

At 22.4, Clay County’s lawn difficulty score is more favorable than the Florida average of 19.2, though it remains much harder than the 50.0 national benchmark. In Zone 9b, the environment supports growth but demands consistent attention to soil health.

Perfect precipitation for warm-season grass

The county receives 53.4 inches of annual precipitation, which sits comfortably within the ideal range for healthy turf. With 92 extreme heat days matching the state average, residents must balance mowers for a year-round growing cycle.

Sandy soil loses moisture quickly

The local soil is composed of 87.8% sand and only 2.9% clay, creating a porous environment that drains almost too well. With an acidic pH of 4.76, your lawn likely needs supplemental phosphorus and lime to thrive.

Persistent severe drought impacts growth

Entirely blanketed in severe drought, the county has faced 27 weeks of dry conditions over the last year. Maintaining a higher mowing height can help shade the soil and reduce evaporation during these extended dry spells.

Choose heat-tolerant turf varieties

St. Augustine and Bermuda grass are the top contenders for this humid Zone 9b climate. While specific frost dates vary, aim to seed when temperatures consistently stay above 65°F to ensure high germination rates.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clay County's county score?
Clay County, Florida has a composite county score of 43.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Clay County rank among counties in Florida?
Clay County ranks #38 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Clay County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Clay County is $2,241, with an effective tax rate of 0.72%. This earns Clay County a tax score of 58.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County, Florida is $87,820 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clay County earns an income score of 88.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clay County, Florida a good place to live?
Clay County scores 43.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #38 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Clay County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Clay County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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