countyscore
58
County Score
Property Tax 90.1Disaster 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.

Score breakdown

Tax90.1Cost48.2Safety67.2Health56.6Schools24.9Income60.7Risk73Water49.1Weather59.8
🏛90.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼60.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡67.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤56.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓24.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡73
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧49.1
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤59.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨65.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱66.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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61.3
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Deep Dives

Clay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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

Schools in Clay County

via SchoolsByCounty

Unified Education in Clay County

Clay County operates under a single, unified school district that manages 10 public schools. The landscape consists of seven elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Together, these facilities serve a total enrollment of 4,040 students across the county.

Investment in Local Student Success

The county invests $5,837 per student, which is higher than the Indiana state average of $5,507. Students achieve an 88.0% graduation rate, maintaining a performance level above the national average of 87.0%. The overall school score is 50.0, matching the national median for academic quality.

Clay Community Schools District Spotlight

Clay Community Schools serves as the sole provider for the county’s 4,040 public school students. There are no charter schools in the county, ensuring a consistent curriculum across all ten campuses. Northview High School is the largest institution in the district, enrolling 943 students.

Rural Schooling with Personal Attention

Most students attend school in a rural setting, as eight of the ten schools are located in the countryside. The average school size is a manageable 404 students, offering a more personalized learning environment. This rural character is balanced by two schools located in suburban areas.

Find Your Home in Clay Community

A single-district system provides educational consistency for families moving between local neighborhoods. The county’s higher-than-average per-pupil spending reflects a strong commitment to local classroom resources. Consider searching for homes near Staunton or Clay City to join this dedicated academic community.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

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 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 #46 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 $589, with an effective tax rate of 0.46%. This earns Clay County a tax score of 90.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County, Indiana is $67,676 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clay County earns an income score of 60.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clay County, Indiana a good place to live?
Clay County scores 58/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.