CountyScore

Clay County

Georgia · GA

#19 in Georgia
71.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, Georgia

Clay ranks in top tier nationally

Clay County's composite score of 73.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 47%, placing it in the 85th percentile nationwide. The county outperforms roughly eight of every ten U.S. counties on overall livability.

Georgia's high-performing counties

With a score of 73.4, Clay surpasses Georgia's state average of 70.9 and ranks among the state's strongest performers. The county demonstrates that exceptional livability is achievable across diverse economic profiles.

Exceptional housing affordability

Clay County leads with the second-highest cost score of 88.3, offering extraordinary affordability with median rent at just $578/month and median home values of $92,500. The tax score of 72.9 ensures reasonable tax burden at 1.044% effective rate.

Income potential significantly constrained

Clay's income score of 15.2 reflects a median household income of $48,715—among the lowest in this group. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not available, which would help complete the livability profile.

Excellent for extremely budget-conscious

Clay County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking rock-bottom living costs with minimal tax burden. The county delivers extraordinary financial freedom for those with stable, modest incomes or fixed budgets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.9Cost88.3SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.2Risk91.6WaterComing Soon
🏛72.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.6
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

Autauga County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $69,841
Lawrence County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $60,040
Limestone County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $83,534
Lowndes County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $35,160
North Slope Borough
Alaska
71.1
Median income: $86,313

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's rates are among highest

Clay County's effective tax rate of 1.044% ranks in the 69th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 0.84%. Despite median homes valued at only $92,500, the median tax bill of $966 reflects one of the state's most aggressive tax rates on rural property.

Well above Georgia average

At 1.044%, Clay County's effective rate notably exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it among the state's highest tax counties. The median property tax of $966 remains below the state median of $1,529, primarily because homes here are valued much lower than statewide averages.

Highest rate among rural peers

Clay County's 1.044% rate significantly outpaces neighbors like Chattooga County (0.855%) and even edges past Chattahoochee County (0.990%). For rural residents with modest home values, Clay's aggressive tax rate places a heavier burden than comparable counties in the region.

Under $1,000 for typical homes

A Clay County homeowner with the median property value of $92,500 pays approximately $966 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related costs factored in, the estimated annual burden reaches around $1,484.

High rate demands assessment review

Clay County's above-average tax rate makes it especially important to verify your property valuation is accurate. Filing an assessment appeal is crucial if your home has declined in value or if comparable local sales suggest your assessed value is too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay County's housing is a national bargain

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 14.2%, Clay County residents spend barely one-seventh of earnings on rent—well below the U.S. average of roughly 21%. At $578 monthly rent, this is one of Georgia's most affordable rental markets.

Georgia's most renter-friendly county

Clay County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio is Georgia's best, nearly 4.4 percentage points below the state average of 18.6%. Median rent of just $578 undercuts the state average by $349, making this rural southwest Georgia county unmatched for affordability.

Clay: the regional affordability champion

At $578 monthly, Clay rents run the lowest in this eight-county comparison—well below Clinch ($505) but with stronger income at $48,715. The $92,500 median home value ranks among the region's most accessible, pairing low rents with low home prices.

Modest means, minimal housing burden

Renters allocate just 14.2% of income to rent, leaving nearly 86% for all other expenses and savings. Homeowners dedicate 16.1% to ownership costs, so both renters and buyers enjoy genuine affordability relief here.

Clay County: affordability reimagined

If stretching housing dollars matters most, Clay County delivers unmatched value in Georgia—the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this region. Trade-offs include rural isolation and limited job diversity, but housing security here is Georgia's best-kept secret.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County earns 35% below national average

Clay County's median household income of $48,715 falls $26,040 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This 35% gap underscores the economic struggles of rural southwest Georgia, where job opportunities and wages significantly lag the national economy.

Among Georgia's most economically challenged

At $48,715, Clay County's median income trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $11,773, positioning it near the lowest-earning counties in Georgia. Per capita income of $29,009 also falls below the state average of $31,115.

Second-lowest earner in the region

Clay edges Chattooga ($47,785) but significantly trails all other nearby counties, including Clinch ($55,549), Clayton ($58,507), and Clarke ($52,267). The disparity reflects Clay's isolation and limited economic base in rural Georgia.

Lowest rent burden, but affordability illusion

Clay's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% is the lowest among these counties, appearing to offer exceptional housing affordability. However, with incomes of just $48,715, the real challenge is saving enough for down payment or managing other essentials beyond rent.

Leverage low housing costs for savings

Clay County's exceptional rent affordability—costing just 14.2% of income—creates a rare opportunity: households can redirect savings toward emergency funds and down payments at rates other counties cannot match. Prioritize building a 3-6 month emergency fund, then target homeownership as a reliable wealth-building mechanism.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Clay County health lags national averages

Clay County residents live to 72.6 years on average, trailing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.5 years. With 22.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces serious, compounding health challenges.

Below Georgia's state average

At 72.6 years, Clay County's life expectancy falls below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years—one of the state's weaker performers. The county's 22.8% poor/fair health rate ranks among Georgia's highest health burdens.

Struggling in a healthier region

Clay's 72.6-year life expectancy significantly trails nearby Clarke (77.3 years) and Chattooga (70.6 years)—though it edges slightly above Chattooga. At just 35 primary care providers per 100K, Clay has limited provider capacity compared to better-resourced neighbors.

Limited access, modest coverage gaps

Clay County's 14.3% uninsured rate runs below Georgia's 15.0% state average, but provider shortages remain concerning at 35 primary care providers per 100K. Mental health data is unavailable, but anecdotal reports suggest limited behavioral health infrastructure.

Secure coverage and explore options

Although 14.3% uninsured is slightly better than state average, Clay residents still face barriers to care due to provider shortages. Check healthcare.gov for plans and ask about telehealth options to access specialists in nearby regions.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay County is exceptionally safe

Clay County's composite risk score of just 8.46 places it among the nation's safest counties, with a very low risk rating across nearly all hazard categories. Flood risk (9.10), tornado risk (32.92), and earthquake risk (22.42) are all minimal, reflecting the county's inland southwestern Georgia location. Only hurricane risk (71.80) approaches moderate levels, though direct coastal impacts remain geographically distant.

Georgia's second-safest county

Clay's 8.46 composite score ranks it second only to Chattahoochee (2.04) within Georgia, roughly 4.5 times safer than the state average of 39.49. The county consistently scores in the bottom percentile for flood, tornado, wildfire, and earthquake hazards. This exceptional safety profile makes Clay one of Georgia's most stable counties for long-term property investment.

Safest in rural southwestern Georgia

Clay's 8.46 score stands significantly below Clinch (20.74), Chattooga (54.36), and all metro counties, establishing it as the anchor of low-risk geography in southwest Georgia. Among its immediate peers, only Chattahoochee (2.04) rivals Clay's exceptional safety. This region's isolation and stable geology create remarkably favorable conditions for natural disaster avoidance.

Hurricane is the only meaningful concern

Hurricane risk (71.80) is Clay's sole moderate exposure, though this reflects distant tropical storm impacts rather than direct coastal vulnerability. Tornado risk (32.92) is low, flood risk (9.10) is negligible, and earthquake/wildfire risks are minimal. Residents face an unusually benign natural hazard environment.

Basic insurance coverage is sufficient

Standard homeowners insurance at competitive rates provides comprehensive protection for Clay County properties, given the county's minimal flood, wildfire, tornado, and seismic risk. Flood insurance is rarely necessary unless you own property in a specifically mapped floodplain—check FEMA maps to confirm. The county's exceptional safety profile means insurance costs reflect the region's true low-hazard status.

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.