Clay County's composite score of 68.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This positions it among the stronger rural counties for livability despite Mississippi's overall demographic challenges.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Mississippi's State Average
With a score of 68.9, Clay County slightly outperforms Mississippi's state average of 67.5, reflecting moderate competitive strength. However, its ranking falls in the middle of this eight-county group, suggesting balanced but not standout performance.
3 / 5
Affordability and Tax Relief Anchor the County
Clay County offers strong housing affordability with a median home value of $115,600 and gross rent of $718/month (cost score: 86.5), complemented by a reasonable effective tax rate of 0.689% (tax score: 82.9). These factors provide meaningful financial stability for residents on moderate incomes.
4 / 5
Low Incomes and Modest Health Outcomes
A median household income of just $39,904 and income score of 9.4 highlight persistent local wage weakness compared to state and national benchmarks. Health (55.2) and risk (57.5) scores are also below optimal levels, suggesting both healthcare and safety infrastructure could use strengthening.
5 / 5
Suitable for Cost-Conscious Families with Outside Income
Clay County works best for households prioritizing low living costs and those with stable income from remote work, pensions, or other external sources. Families seeking higher local wages, advanced healthcare, or strong community services should consider neighboring counties with stronger income and health profiles.
Clay County's composite score of 68.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This positions it among the stronger rural counties for livability despite Mississippi's overall demographic challenges.
Slightly Above Mississippi's State Average
With a score of 68.9, Clay County slightly outperforms Mississippi's state average of 67.5, reflecting moderate competitive strength. However, its ranking falls in the middle of this eight-county group, suggesting balanced but not standout performance.
Affordability and Tax Relief Anchor the County
Clay County offers strong housing affordability with a median home value of $115,600 and gross rent of $718/month (cost score: 86.5), complemented by a reasonable effective tax rate of 0.689% (tax score: 82.9). These factors provide meaningful financial stability for residents on moderate incomes.
Low Incomes and Modest Health Outcomes
A median household income of just $39,904 and income score of 9.4 highlight persistent local wage weakness compared to state and national benchmarks. Health (55.2) and risk (57.5) scores are also below optimal levels, suggesting both healthcare and safety infrastructure could use strengthening.
Suitable for Cost-Conscious Families with Outside Income
Clay County works best for households prioritizing low living costs and those with stable income from remote work, pensions, or other external sources. Families seeking higher local wages, advanced healthcare, or strong community services should consider neighboring counties with stronger income and health profiles.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛82.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Clay County's effective tax rate of 0.689% remains below the national median of 0.88%, though it's closer to the national norm than most Mississippi counties. A median property tax of $797 is still just 30% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting how affordable Mississippi property remains overall.
Slightly below Mississippi average
At 0.689%, Clay County's effective rate falls just shy of Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, making it a typical mid-range county within the state. Its median tax bill of $797 is slightly below the state median of $931, positioning Clay as a reasonable choice for homebuyers.
Clay rates moderate compared to peers
Clay County's 0.689% rate sits squarely in the middle of this region: above Choctaw (0.452%), Clarke (0.499%), and Claiborne (0.582%), but below Chickasaw (0.743%) and well below Coahoma (1.240%). It appeals to buyers seeking middle-of-the-road tax stability.
Median home: $115,600 costs $797 yearly
A Clay County homeowner with the county's median property value of $115,600 pays approximately $797 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow typically includes about $1,053 per year; without, the tax obligation alone is $698.
Check your assessment against market values
Clay County homeowners should periodically review whether their assessed value aligns with recent sales of similar properties in their area. Filing an appeal with the assessor's office is free and could result in meaningful tax savings.
Residents spend 21.6% of income on rent, exceeding Mississippi's average by 2 percentage points and reflecting a median household income of just $39,904. This puts Clay County among the less affordable regions when compared to the national median household income of $74,755.
Below average, but not the worst
Clay County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio sits above the state average of 19.6%, placing it in the lower-affordability tier of Mississippi counties. It mirrors the pressures of Coahoma and Clarke while outperforming only Claiborne in this cohort.
Mid-range rents, premium home values
Clay's median rent of $718 falls between cheaper Covington ($639) and pricier Clarke ($803), yet its median home value of $115,600 is the second-highest in the region. This suggests stronger property assets but tighter rental-market economics.
Both renters and owners squeeze budgets
Renters pay $718/month (21.6% of income) while homeowners pay $598/month (17.9%), with both groups dedicating substantial chunks of the $39,904 median income to housing. Neither path offers comfortable breathing room.
Strong property values, weaker rental options
If relocating to Clay County, prioritize homeownership: the median home value of $115,600 reflects market strength, while rents remain tight relative to incomes. Compare ownership costs carefully against neighboring counties like Copiah and Covington before committing.
Clay County's median household income of $39,904 is 47% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among America's lower-earning rural counties. Significant economic barriers limit wealth-building potential for most residents.
Below average within Mississippi
Clay's $39,904 median household income trails Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $8,610, ranking it in the lower third of the state's 82 counties. The county faces persistent income challenges.
Struggling relative to nearby areas
Clay ($39,904) earns less than most neighbors including Chickasaw ($43,041), Choctaw ($48,321), and Covington ($47,001). Only Claiborne ($34,371) and Coahoma ($36,259) perform worse in this regional grouping.
Housing costs burden limited incomes
Clay's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% means renters dedicate over one-fifth of household income to housing, above the 20% comfort mark. Combined with a median income of $39,904, residents have minimal resources for savings and unexpected costs.
Start small and compound gains
Clay residents should prioritize financial literacy and establish modest emergency savings through community credit unions or savings programs. Small, consistent steps can gradually improve financial security over time.
Clay County residents live to an average of 72.5 years, outpacing Mississippi's average of 70.9 years but falling 6.4 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years. About 28% report poor or fair health, suggesting significant chronic disease burden despite the county's above-average life expectancy.
Health leader within Mississippi
At 72.5 years, Clay County's life expectancy ranks among the highest in Mississippi, exceeding the state average by 1.6 years. The county places in the top quartile of Mississippi's 82 counties for health outcomes.
Strong mental health capacity, adequate primary care
Clay County boasts 253 mental health providers per 100,000 people—the second-highest in this group—supporting robust behavioral health services. Primary care access at 38 per 100K meets moderate demand, placing the county above several neighbors including Clarke County (20) and Copiah County (25).
Below-average uninsured rate benefits residents
Clay County's uninsured rate of 12.5% falls below the state average of 13.9%, meaning more residents maintain continuous health insurance coverage. Combined with above-average life expectancy and strong mental health provider density, the county's health infrastructure supports better access to care.
Keep coverage strong for your family
Clay County's low uninsured rate reflects good health coverage access, but gaps remain for some families. If your coverage has lapsed or you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or your county health office to re-enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans before open enrollment closes.
Clay County scores 42.53 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting below both the national average and Mississippi's state average of 50.94. North-central Mississippi residents face relatively modest natural disaster exposure overall.
Safer Than Average for Mississippi
Clay County ranks in the lower half of Mississippi's 82 counties for disaster risk, with a composite score 16% below the state average. This positioning reflects favorable hazard exposure relative to most other Mississippi counties.
Comparable Risk to Regional Peers
Clay County's 42.53 score closely mirrors Chickasaw County (43.92) but exceeds Choctaw (11.55) and Claiborne (24.75) to the south. The county faces notably lower risk than Coahoma County (62.50) to the west, which experiences exceptional earthquake exposure.
Tornadoes and Earthquakes Pose Greatest Threat
Clay County residents face the highest exposure to tornadoes (75.10) and earthquakes (79.55), both well above national averages. While tornado risk is common across Mississippi, the elevated earthquake threat reflects the county's proximity to the Mississippi River seismic zone.
Reinforce Against Quakes and Tornadoes
Homeowners should obtain earthquake insurance and ensure structural reinforcement for tornado protection, including a safe room or shelter. Securing your home's foundation and anchoring your roof provide cost-effective protection against the county's primary hazards.