countyscore
58.4
County Score
Property Tax 92.7Disaster Risk 73Safety 67.2

County Report Card

About Clay County, Indiana

Solidly Above the National Median

Clay County earns a composite score of 58.0, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in a favorable position relative to the average American community.

Outperforming the Indiana Average

The county's score of 58.0 beats the state average of 55.9. It represents one of the more stable and balanced regions in western Indiana.

Exceptional Tax and Safety Scores

A remarkable tax score of 90.1 stems from a low effective tax rate of just 0.457%. The county also offers a secure environment with a safety score of 67.2 and a risk score of 73.0.

Educational and Housing Pressure

The school score of 24.9 is the primary area for local improvement. While the median home value is a low $128,900, the cost score of 48.2 indicates that housing affordability is tightening compared to local wages.

Best for Low-Tax Living

Clay County is ideal for families and individuals who prioritize fiscal health and physical safety. Its exceptionally low tax rate makes it a standout choice for those looking to maximize their wealth.

2040608010092.747.667.256.624.961.97349.159.8Tax92.7Cost47.6Safety67.2Health56.6Schools24.9Income61.9Risk73Water49.1Weather59.858.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 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 Property Tax (92.7/100) but notably weak in Schools (24.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92.7+40.7
Cost
47.6
Safety
67.2+12.200000000000003
Health
56.6
Schools
24.9-29.1
Income
61.9+10.899999999999999
Risk
73+26
Water
49.1-8.899999999999999
Weather
59.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Clay County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$153,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$873/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$153,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,010/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.6

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

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Brown County
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Perry County
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Major County
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Huntingdon County
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Median income: $65,557
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Houston County
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Median income: $59,576
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Mitchell County
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Median income: $60,550
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Nearby counties

Owen County
Indiana
61.6
Vigo County
Indiana
31.9
Putnam County
Indiana
65.4
Greene County
Indiana
56.6
Parke County
Indiana
64.6
Sullivan County
Indiana
58.3
Morgan County
Indiana
62.2
Monroe County
Indiana
42.8

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 offers Indiana's most affordable property taxes

At 0.457%, Clay County's effective tax rate is less than one-third the national median, making it exceptionally tax-friendly. The median annual tax of just $589 ranks among America's most affordable tax burdens.

Lowest effective rate in Indiana

Clay County's 0.457% effective rate sits well below the state average of 0.671%, delivering the lowest tax burden among Indiana's 92 counties. The median tax bill of $589 is less than half the state median of $1,199.

Significantly lower than surrounding counties

Clay County's 0.457% rate undercuts every nearby county in the region, from Clinton (0.622%) to Cass (0.694%) to Crawford (0.737%). This tax advantage is a defining characteristic of the county's affordability.

Median Clay home costs just $589 yearly

A Clay County homeowner with the median property value of $128,900 pays approximately $589 annually in property taxes—among the lowest in the nation. Including mortgage escrow costs, annual payments average around $639.

Even low taxes can be lowered further

Clay County homeowners can still benefit from assessment appeals, as some properties are valued above fair market value. The reassessment process is free and can unlock additional savings even in this tax-friendly county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County moderately below U.S. median

Clay County's median household income of $67,676 runs $7,079 below the national median of $74,755, marking it as a below-average but not severely struggling county nationally. This 9.5% shortfall places Clay County in the lower-middle range of American counties.

Nearly matches Indiana's state average

At $67,676, Clay County sits just below Indiana's median of $68,681—a difference of only $1,005 that marks it as a typical Indiana county economically. The county's per capita income of $36,588 slightly exceeds the state average of $34,773, suggesting well-distributed earning power.

Mid-range earnings in regional comparison

Clay County's $67,676 median sits between struggling counties like Crawford ($48,993) and wealthier ones like Dearborn ($82,693), placing it in the regional middle class. Compared directly to nearby Cass County ($56,525), Clay County residents earn over $11,000 more annually.

Best rent affordability in the region

Clay County boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.8%, well below the 30% threshold, meaning renters keep more income for savings and other needs. The median home value of $128,900 aligns reasonably with median household income, supporting accessible homeownership.

Optimize savings with favorable housing costs

With the lowest rent burden in the region (14.8%), Clay County households earning $67,676 have genuine breathing room to direct 10-15% of earnings into retirement and investment accounts. This housing advantage compounds over time, turning modest income into meaningful wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clay County

via CrimeByCounty

Clay County Earns High Safety Marks

Clay County is significantly safer than the national average, with a total crime rate of 769.0 per 100K compared to 2,385.5 nationwide. This earns the county an impressive safety score of 98.8 out of 100.

Clay's Safety Profile in Indiana

The county's total crime rate is slightly higher than the Indiana average of 693.8. While the overall score is high, the violent crime rate of 223.5 per 100K is more than double the state average of 102.9.

Comparing Clay to Surrounding Counties

Clay County experiences more activity than nearby Clinton but remains a low-crime area compared to national figures. It maintains a rural safety profile despite having a higher violent crime rate than some of its direct neighbors.

Reviewing Property and Violent Incidents

Property crime in Clay County is recorded at 545.5 per 100K, while violent crime accounts for 223.5. This means total incidents occur at roughly one-third the frequency seen across the rest of the United States.

Securing Your Clay County Property

Enhancing home security with motion sensors and reinforced entry points can help reduce property-related incidents. Staying vigilant and reporting suspicious behavior helps maintain the county’s high safety rating.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Clay County

via SoilByCounty

Clay County’s Alfisol Foundation

Clay County identifies with Alfisol soils and a dominant texture of loamy fine sand. The pH of 6.19 is slightly higher than the state average but remains below the 6.5 national median, providing a versatile chemical base.

Balanced Sand and Silt

The composition features 59.0% silt and 23.3% sand, with a clay component of 17.7%. This mix creates a soft, workable texture that balances the ease of sand with the nutrient-holding power of silt.

Moderate Fertility and Water Flow

At 2.40%, the organic matter content is higher than the national average but falls below the state's 4.90% benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.197 in/in is slightly below the state average, indicating steady but not extreme moisture retention.

Naturally Well-Drained Land

The county's soils are classified as well-drained and belong to hydrologic group A. This high permeability minimizes the risk of root rot and allows soil to warm up quickly in the spring.

Perfect for Indiana Staples

Zone 6a gardeners can capitalize on these well-drained soils to grow exceptional corn and tubers. The 65.8 soil score suggests a solid foundation for a productive backyard garden or small farm.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clay County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Clay County Lawn Difficulty

Clay County's 66.1 difficulty score indicates a moderate environment that is slightly tougher than the Indiana state average. Though it outperforms the national median, local conditions require more attention than neighboring high-performing counties.

Wet Climate with Moderate Heat

With 49.7 inches of annual precipitation, lawns here get more water than the Indiana average of 44.2 inches. The 18 extreme heat days align closely with state benchmarks, suggesting a standard mowing and watering schedule.

Well Drained Sand-Based Soils

The soil foundation is loamy fine sand with a near-perfect pH of 6.19. Because these well-drained soils move water quickly, you may need more frequent irrigation than those with heavier clay textures.

Managing Abnormally Dry Conditions

Currently, 100% of the county is classified as abnormally dry, and the area has seen 16 weeks of drought in the last year. Use smart irrigation controllers to prevent water waste while keeping roots hydrated during these dry stretches.

Zone 6a Seeding Strategies

Hardiness Zone 6a is perfect for cool-season blends like Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass. While specific frost dates vary, aim for late summer or early spring to establish a strong root system.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clay County's county score?
Clay County, Indiana has a composite county score of 58.4 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 Indiana?
Clay County ranks #44 among all counties in Indiana 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, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Clay County is $627, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Clay County a tax score of 92.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County, Indiana is $70,010 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clay County earns an income score of 61.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clay County, Indiana a good place to live?
Clay County scores 58.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Indiana. 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.