CountyScore

Clay County

Indiana · IN

#10 in Indiana
75
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, Indiana

Clay ranks among America's strongest counties

Clay County's composite score of 75.0 towers over the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. This elite standing reflects exceptional performance across multiple livability dimensions.

Indiana's best-performing county group

At 75.0, Clay County exceeds Indiana's state average of 71.2 and ranks among the top tier of the state's 92 counties. This positions it as one of Indiana's most attractive communities overall.

Outstanding tax advantage and affordability

Clay County's standout feature is its exceptional Tax Score of 89.4, driven by a remarkably low 0.457% effective tax rate—the best in this group. Combined with a Cost Score of 79.9 and affordable median home values of $128,900, families enjoy rare financial flexibility.

Income potential remains modest

The county's Income Score of 27.6 with median household income at $67,676 indicates limited high-wage opportunity. School and safety data are unavailable, though risk management appears strong at 73.0.

Perfect for tax-savvy, cost-conscious families

Clay County is ideal for families and retirees seeking maximum tax savings and affordable housing without sacrificing community stability. The county shines for those prioritizing financial security and low living costs over climbing the income ladder.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.4Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth70.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk73WaterComing Soon
🏛89.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73
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

Boise County
Idaho
75
Median income: $77,349
Hardin County
Illinois
75
Median income: $57,155
Nicholas County
Kentucky
75
Median income: $53,616
Douglas County
Missouri
75
Median income: $49,828
Stillwater County
Montana
75
Median income: $81,503

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 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

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay County beats national affordability

Clay County residents spend just 14.8% of their $67,676 income on rent, outperforming both the national and state averages and placing the county in the more affordable category. At $837 monthly, median rent is below Indiana's state average, making Clay County an above-average value proposition nationally.

Among Indiana's most affordable

Clay County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio places it below the state average of 15.6%, ranking it among the more affordable Indiana counties. This favorable position reflects the county's balanced combination of moderate rents and reasonable incomes.

Clay's sweet spot for value

Clay County's $837 rent ties with Daviess County and significantly undercuts Clark County ($1,058) and Clinton County ($915) in the region. Compared to Cass County ($778), Clay offers just $59 more monthly rent but with $10,151 higher median household income, making it a stronger overall affordability position.

Clay's balanced housing costs

With a $67,676 median household income, Clay County residents dedicate $837 to rent or $886 to mortgage payments—representing 14.8% and 15.8% of income respectively. Home values average $128,900, keeping ownership accessible while rental costs remain moderate.

Clay County: Goldilocks housing choice

If you're relocating to Indiana and balancing rent affordability with income stability, Clay County offers one of the region's best overall values. Compare it with Daviess County—which shares identical rent costs but slightly higher incomes—to optimize your relocation decision.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Clay County life expectancy near national median

At 75.0 years, Clay County residents live nearly 4 years less than the US average of 79 years, reflecting Indiana's broader health challenges. With 19.3% reporting poor or fair health—just above the national average of 18%—the county shows moderate health risk.

Slightly below Indiana state average

Clay County's 75.0-year life expectancy is virtually identical to Indiana's state average of 75.1 years, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's distribution. The county's 19.3% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the state average, indicating relatively stable health outcomes.

Among the best in its region

Clay County's 75.0-year life expectancy matches Cass County (74.9 years) and slightly exceeds Clinton County (74.4 years). At 49 primary care providers per 100,000, Clay outpaces neighbors Cass (45) and Clinton (15) in access to routine medical care.

Strong insurance coverage, limited mental health

Clay County's 6.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among its neighbors and well below Indiana's 8.4% average, ensuring broad access to care. However, mental health providers at just 49 per 100,000 are sparse compared to the state average, highlighting a gap in behavioral health services.

Most are covered—ensure yours is current

With 93.2% of Clay County residents insured, coverage is the norm here—verify your policy is active and find a mental health provider if needed. Contact your local health department or visit 211indiana.org to connect with counseling and psychiatric services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay County enjoys relatively low risk

Clay County's composite risk score of 27.04 sits well below the national average, placing it among the safer counties in the country. While no area is completely risk-free, Clay County residents face below-average natural hazard exposure.

Among Indiana's safer counties

Clay County scores 27.04, nearly 40% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk areas. Only a handful of Indiana counties enjoy comparably low composite risk scores.

One of the safest in the region

Clay County (27.04) faces lower risk than all surrounding counties, making it among the safest areas in south-central Indiana. Neighboring Crawford County (25.80) is comparable, but most other adjacent counties score substantially higher.

Earthquake risk outpaces other hazards

While Clay County enjoys low overall risk, its biggest threat comes from earthquakes (72.96), well above the county's other hazard scores. Tornado risk (45.26) ranks second, and flood risk (34.19) remains relatively modest.

Earthquake insurance deserves consideration

Clay County's below-average flood and tornado risks mean standard homeowners insurance covers most major perils here. However, the elevated earthquake risk (72.96) suggests adding earthquake coverage, especially if you own older or unreinforced structures.

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.