countyscore
44
County Score
Income & Jobs 89.3Water Quality 71.1Property Tax 58.8

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.

2040608010058.811.547.557.745.389.318.971.119.8Tax58.8Cost11.5Safety47.5Health57.7Schools45.3Income89.3Risk18.9Water71.1Weather19.844/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Clay County DNA

Foverall

How Clay County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Clay County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (89.3/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (11.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
58.8
Cost
11.5-36.5
Safety
47.5
Health
57.7
Schools
45.3-8.700000000000003
Income
89.3+38.3
Risk
18.9-28.1
Water
71.1+13.099999999999994
Weather
19.8-36.2
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$281,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,464/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$281,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$58,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,094/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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Nearby counties

Bradford County
Florida
60.2
St. Johns County
Florida
50.9
Putnam County
Florida
37.5
Duval County
Florida
30.3
Union County
Florida
57.2
Baker County
Florida
45.7
Alachua County
Florida
32.1
Nassau County
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48.6

Deep Dives

Clay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay offers strong affordability above national baseline

Clay County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below the national comfort threshold of 30%, putting residents in a healthy housing position. With a median household income of $86,094—15% above the national average of $74,755—Clay households have more flexibility to absorb housing costs while maintaining financial stability.

Clay ranks among Florida's most affordable counties

At 20.4%, Clay County beats Florida's average rent-to-income ratio of 22.5%, placing it in the upper tier for affordability statewide. The county achieves this while maintaining higher incomes than most Florida peers, creating a rare combination of strong earnings and reasonable housing costs.

Clay balances costs better than upscale Collier

Clay County's renters pay $1,464 monthly—$288 less than Collier County's $1,752 despite similar median incomes around $86,000. Homebuyers see the same pattern: Clay's median home value of $281,500 undercuts Collier's $486,800 by $205,300, making Clay the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers.

Housing remains manageable for most households

Clay renters spend 20.4% of their $86,094 income on rent, while homeowners dedicate roughly 17.5% to monthly ownership costs on a $281,500 median home. Both figures leave substantial room in household budgets for savings, debt repayment, and discretionary spending.

Clay County rewards financially stable movers

If you've built solid income and seek genuine affordability, Clay County delivers—combining above-average earnings with below-average housing costs. The county offers the rare Florida advantage of breathing room in your budget without sacrificing suburban convenience.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Schools in Clay County

via SchoolsByCounty

Robust Educational Infrastructure in Clay

Clay County supports a large student population of 38,993 across 50 public schools. The landscape features 28 elementary schools and 11 high schools, all managed within a single district. This network includes three alternative schools and a special education school to provide comprehensive coverage for all learners.

Elite Graduation Rates Define Clay Performance

Clay County boasts an impressive 94.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than the state average of 89.8% and the national 87.0%. The county achieves a school score of 52.9, which outperforms both the state and national benchmarks. Despite spending $5,737 per pupil—less than the national average—the district produces high-tier academic results.

A Single District with Massive Reach

The Clay District serves over 39,210 students across its 51 schools. Charter schools represent a small fraction of the local landscape, with only two campuses making up 4.0% of total schools. This centralized district structure is the primary engine for the county's educational success.

Suburban Excellence and Large Campus Life

School life in Clay is overwhelmingly suburban, with 39 schools located in these settings. The average school size is a robust 830 students, anchored by massive campuses like Oakleaf High School with 2,371 students. This environment offers students a bustling, high-resource experience typical of thriving Florida suburbs.

Find Your Home in Top-Performing Clay

High graduation rates make Clay County a premier destination for families prioritizing education. Homes near Fleming Island High or Oakleaf High remain in high demand due to these schools' reputations. Explore local real estate to find the perfect home within this high-achieving district.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay's risk exceeds most U.S. counties

Clay County's composite risk score of 81.08 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the typical American county's exposure to natural hazards. The score reflects balanced threats from hurricanes (89.78), flooding (85.91), and tornado activity (83.17) across the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

Mid-range risk within Florida

At 81.08, Clay County scores above Florida's state average of 75.74, ranking it among the moderate-to-high risk counties statewide. The county's position in Northeast Florida, where Atlantic hurricane exposure combines with regional tornado and flood patterns, drives this elevated profile.

Riskier than inland, safer than coastal

Clay County (81.08) sits between lower-risk Columbia County (69.72) to the south and much higher-risk Duval County (97.20) immediately to the east. As a suburban Jacksonville county, Clay absorbs hurricane and flood threats without the extreme coastal vulnerability that defines Duval's risk profile.

Hurricanes, floods, and tornado corridors

Hurricane risk at 89.78 and flood risk at 85.91 reflect Atlantic exposure and regional drainage patterns, while tornado risk of 83.17 is notably high for Florida. This three-threat combination means residents face compounded seasonal risks during Atlantic hurricane season (June–November) and severe weather season.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy recommended

Homeowners should maintain comprehensive coverage for wind, hail, and tornado damage, plus separate flood insurance given the 85.91 flood score. Reinforcing garage doors and installing a safe room provides additional protection against the tornado risk that sets Clay County apart from pure coastal Florida counties.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Clay County

via WaterByCounty

Clay County Leads with Top-Tier Compliance Grade

Clay County maintains an impressive Grade A with only one health violation recorded over the past five years. Its violation rate of 0.5 per 100,000 residents is nearly non-existent compared to the Florida state average of 43.4. This data reflects a highly reliable drinking water infrastructure for the local population.

Watershed Impairment Remains Below State Average

Of the 1,314 water bodies assessed in 2022, approximately 32.0% are classified as impaired under the Clean Water Act. This is a healthier outlook than the Florida average of 38.8%, though 421 sites still face challenges. Key stressors include low dissolved oxygen, mercury in fish tissue, and high phosphorus levels.

Consistent Tracking Across 127 Monitoring Sites

Clay County features 127 monitoring sites that provided 35,330 measurements in the federal Water Quality Portal over the last five years. These records emphasize physical characteristics, inorganics, and metal concentrations. This baseline data helps local officials track long-term trends in water safety and environmental health.

Black Creek Flow Falls Below Seasonal Norms

The North Fork Black Creek near Middleburg is currently flowing at 36 cubic feet per second, representing just 19% of its 185 cfs long-term mean. This gauge monitors a 177 square mile drainage area and indicates a period of below-average discharge. Such conditions often occur during seasonal dry spells, affecting local aquatic habitats.

Guard Against Phosphorus in Local Waterways

While drinking water compliance is excellent, residents should be mindful of phosphorus and mercury levels in the 421 impaired local water bodies. The current low flow in Black Creek increases the impact of nutrient runoff on the environment. Using phosphorus-free fertilizers can help protect these vulnerable aquatic systems during periods of low streamflow.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

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 44 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 $2,080, with an effective tax rate of 0.74%. This earns Clay County a tax score of 58.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County, Florida is $86,094 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clay County earns an income score of 89.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clay County, Florida a good place to live?
Clay County scores 44/100 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 Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.