With a composite score of 66.2, Clay County ranks in the 66th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. It represents one of the strongest livability profiles in this Illinois county cohort.
2 / 5
Outperforms Illinois statewide average
Clay County scores 66.2, notably above Illinois's state average of 62.1, establishing it as a top performer among all state counties. It ranks among the best options for livability within Illinois.
3 / 5
Exceptional tax efficiency and affordability
Clay County delivers the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.615% and the highest Cost Score of 84.6 among this group. With homes at $94,300 and rents at $709/month, it maximizes both tax savings and housing accessibility.
4 / 5
Income levels are notably low
The Income Score of 20.8 and median household income of $57,266 represent the lowest in this cohort. This reflects limited local wage-earning opportunities, though the savings on taxes and housing offset that burden significantly.
5 / 5
Ideal for retirees and cost minimizers
Clay County appeals most to retirees living on fixed incomes and families prioritizing financial efficiency over earning potential. Its combination of minimal tax burden and maximum housing affordability makes it uniquely attractive to those seeking to stretch every dollar.
With a composite score of 66.2, Clay County ranks in the 66th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. It represents one of the strongest livability profiles in this Illinois county cohort.
Outperforms Illinois statewide average
Clay County scores 66.2, notably above Illinois's state average of 62.1, establishing it as a top performer among all state counties. It ranks among the best options for livability within Illinois.
Exceptional tax efficiency and affordability
Clay County delivers the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.615% and the highest Cost Score of 84.6 among this group. With homes at $94,300 and rents at $709/month, it maximizes both tax savings and housing accessibility.
Income levels are notably low
The Income Score of 20.8 and median household income of $57,266 represent the lowest in this cohort. This reflects limited local wage-earning opportunities, though the savings on taxes and housing offset that burden significantly.
Ideal for retirees and cost minimizers
Clay County appeals most to retirees living on fixed incomes and families prioritizing financial efficiency over earning potential. Its combination of minimal tax burden and maximum housing affordability makes it uniquely attractive to those seeking to stretch every dollar.
Score breakdown
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🏛56.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.615%, Clay County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.56%—the lowest in this eight-county cluster. The median property tax of $1,523 is among the nation's most affordable, reflecting both low rates and modest home values averaging $94,300.
Illinois's most tax-friendly county in this group
Clay County ranks 95th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate, placing it in the bottom 7%—the absolute most favorable for homeowners. At 1.615%, it runs 0.216 percentage points below the state average of 1.831%.
Lowest taxes in southern Illinois region
Clay County's 1.615% rate is the lowest among all eight counties analyzed, beating even Clark County (1.684%) and Christian County (1.691%). It offers a significant advantage over Cass County (2.102%), Champaign County (2.070%), and Coles County (2.046%).
What an average Clay County home costs annually
The median Clay County home valued at $94,300 generates an estimated $1,523 in annual property taxes—the lowest in the region. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,902, while those without mortgages pay just $809.
Low taxes, but appeals still possible
Clay County homeowners can still pursue property tax appeals if they believe their homes are overassessed. The county assessor's office accepts reassessment requests at no cost—a smart move given the modest property values in the area.
At 14.9% of income devoted to rent, Clay County ranks slightly above the Illinois average and reflects tight household finances. The $57,266 median income—more than 23% below the national median—makes even modest $709 rents feel substantial for working families.
Below-average income limits affordability gains
Clay County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio edges above the state average of 14.7%, but its struggle stems from below-average incomes rather than high rents. At $709 per month, the median rent ranks among Illinois's lowest, yet households earning only $57,266 still feel the squeeze.
Cheapest rents, but smallest incomes too
Clay County's $709 rent ranks lowest among central Illinois peers, yet its $57,266 income also trails neighbors like Clark ($70,625) and Cass ($64,907). This income disadvantage erodes the county's rent advantage, making it a trade-off between cost and earning potential.
Homeownership offers slight relief here
Renters spend $709 monthly while homeowners pay $734—a modest difference reflecting the county's overall affordability. The $94,300 median home value keeps ownership accessible, though the low median income means most households carry tight housing budgets regardless of tenure.
Clay County suits income-flexible relocators
Consider Clay County if you can afford lower incomes—it offers the state's cheapest rents at $709 and a 14.9% burden. But compare it against better-paying neighbors like Clark County before moving; a higher salary in a neighboring county may leave you better off financially despite slightly higher rents.
Clay County's median household income of $57,266 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $17,489. This significant gap reflects the county's rural character and limited job market diversity.
Among Illinois's lowest-income counties
At $57,266, Clay County earns $11,314 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580. The county ranks in the bottom 10% of Illinois counties, consistent with southern Illinois's rural economic challenges.
Struggles financially vs. surrounding counties
Clay County ($57,266) underperforms nearly all nearby counties, trailing Christian ($59,253) and significantly lagging Clark ($70,625). Only Coles County ($56,040) approaches Clay County's income level.
Low income and moderate housing burden
Clay County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% indicates reasonable housing affordability, but the median income of $57,266 limits overall financial flexibility. Residents spend a manageable housing share on constrained household budgets.
Focus on emergency savings first
Clay County residents should prioritize building a three-month emergency fund before investing aggressively. Free or low-cost financial literacy resources and employer retirement matches provide essential foundations for building stability in economically challenging regions.
Clay County residents live to 75.8 years, just below the U.S. average of 76.1 years and Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 0.2 years. However, one in five residents reports poor or fair health—the highest rate among peer counties.
Slightly below Illinois state average
At 75.8 years, Clay County's life expectancy trails Illinois's average of 76.0 years by just 0.2 years, placing it near the middle statewide. The elevated poor/fair health rate (20.2%) suggests quality-of-life concerns despite near-average longevity.
High health burden compared to peers
Clay County matches Christian County at 75.8 years but trails Champaign (78.8) and Cass (76.8) notably. Its 20.2% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest in the region, indicating chronic disease prevalence.
Minimal primary care, high health burden
Clay County has only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest regionally—while 5.9% lack insurance. Limited preventive care access may explain the high poor/fair health rate.
Enroll now to prevent health crises
With scarce primary care and high health burdens, insurance coverage is essential for managing chronic disease. Check Healthcare.gov for plans that emphasize preventive care and chronic disease management.
With a composite risk score of 41.06, Clay County ranks well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The Very Low risk rating indicates residents face minimal combined hazard threats compared to typical American counties.
Below-average risk for Illinois
Clay County (41.06) scores substantially lower than Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it among the state's safer regions. This protective position means Clay County residents experience fewer disaster risks than most Illinoisans.
Low-risk county in southern Illinois
Clay County (41.06) ranks safer than nearby Coles County (70.36) and Clinton County (65.59), though slightly riskier than Clark County (27.32). Among its immediate neighbors, Clay County maintains one of the more protective risk profiles.
Earthquake dominates Clay's hazard profile
Earthquake risk at 86.29 far exceeds other hazard scores in Clay County, though tornado risk (41.41) represents a secondary concern. Both remain below their respective state averages despite earthquake being the county's primary exposure.
Add earthquake coverage to your policy
Clay County residents should supplement standard homeowners insurance with earthquake protection given the county's elevated seismic risk score. Review your coverage annually to ensure adequate protection across all identified hazards.