CountyScore

Clay County

North Carolina · NC

#4 in North Carolina
74.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, North Carolina

Exceptional livability nationally

Clay County scores 77.2, more than 54% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the nation's strongest performers on this composite index.

Among state's best performers

At 77.2, Clay significantly exceeds North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it in the top tier of state counties. The county demonstrates superior livability across measured dimensions.

Exceptional tax rates and affordability

Clay boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.451% and the highest tax score of 89.6 among these counties. A cost score of 82.6 pairs with median home values of $263,300 for overall value.

Income levels present trade-offs

An income score of 18.4 and median household income of $53,645 reflect the county's rural mountain character. Safety, health, school, risk, and water quality data remain unavailable for a fuller picture.

Perfect for tax-minimizing mountain dwellers

Clay County attracts retirees, remote workers, and those seeking dramatic tax savings in a spectacular mountain setting. It's best for independent-minded residents who value tax efficiency and natural beauty over high incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.6Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth66.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk73.1WaterComing Soon
🏛89.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.1
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

Lake County
Colorado
74.3
Median income: $93,655
Calhoun County
Illinois
74.3
Median income: $92,095
Scott County
Illinois
74.3
Median income: $73,013
Rush County
Indiana
74.3
Median income: $64,393
Presque Isle County
Michigan
74.3
Median income: $56,713

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 ranks among America's lowest

At 0.451%, Clay County has the lowest effective property tax rate in North Carolina and ranks in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $1,188 is less than 44% of the national median of $2,690, delivering extraordinary tax savings compared to most American counties.

Clay County's taxes are unbeatable

Clay's 0.451% rate is the absolute lowest in North Carolina, crushing the state average of 0.701% by 36 percentage points. At just $1,188 in median taxes, Clay homeowners pay roughly 83% of the state median, setting the gold standard for low-tax living in the state.

Clay beats all regional competitors

Clay's 0.451% rate stands unmatched in the western region, with only Cherokee County (0.501%) coming close statewide. The county's tax advantage grows wider when compared to eastern peers like Chowan (0.686%) and Cleveland (0.688%), making Clay an outlier even among low-tax areas.

Median home costs $1,188 yearly

A typical Clay home valued at $263,300 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,188. With a mortgage, the effective bill actually decreases slightly to $1,138 due to the way county assessments are structured.

Verify your assessment even here

Clay's low rate doesn't guarantee accuracy—assessments can lag market reality, and eligible exemptions are sometimes missed by county officials. Request a free assessment review from Clay County's assessor to confirm you're getting every tax break you deserve.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay County rents stay manageable nationwide

Clay County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below national housing burden norms, with $791 median rent and $53,645 income creating a tight but viable balance. This Western North Carolina mountain community offers surprising affordability for those willing to trade urban amenities for rural quiet.

Below-state-average housing affordability

Clay County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio runs below North Carolina's 18.6% state average, making it slightly more affordable than typical within the state. The $791 rent reflects mountain region pricing while incomes remain stable enough to manage housing without acute financial strain.

Competitive pricing in Appalachian region

Clay's $791 rent undercuts Catawba County ($891) while running slightly above Caswell ($699) and Cherokee ($800), reflecting its mountain foothill position. However, Clay's median home value at $263,300 exceeds most rural peers, suggesting a growing market attracting retirees and second-home buyers.

Balanced but modest housing options

Clay renters dedicate 17.7% of their $53,645 income to housing, while homeowners commit 17.1% to mortgages—an unusually balanced split. This consistency suggests both rental and ownership pathways are equally viable for Clay County households, without strong advantage to either route.

Mountain gateway with rising home values

Clay County attracts relocators seeking Appalachian scenery with manageable rents at $791, though rising home values at $263,300 suggest gentrification pressures are building. Compare both pathways carefully—rental and ownership burdens are nearly equal at 17-18% of income, offering flexibility for your relocation plan.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay income significantly trails national norms

Clay County's median household income of $53,645 falls $21,110 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 28% deficit. The small, remote mountain county faces substantial economic disadvantages relative to national averages.

Well below North Carolina average

At $53,645, Clay's median household income lags the state average of $61,072 by $7,427. The county ranks in the lower third statewide, typical of western Appalachian mountain communities with limited economic opportunities.

Lower earnings despite high property values

Clay's $53,645 income ranks above Cherokee ($51,496) and Columbus ($48,184) but trails Caswell ($59,407) and Catawba ($64,544). The county's median home value of $263,300 is surprisingly high relative to local earning power, suggesting limited local employment and seasonal housing demand.

Housing represents major affordability challenge

Clay's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% reflects tight housing affordability, with costs consuming nearly one-fifth of median income. The median home value of $263,300 appears inflated relative to local wages, likely driven by second-home purchases and seasonal demand.

Explore location-independent income sources

Clay County residents with $53,645 incomes may benefit from pursuing remote work opportunities or side income streams to supplement local employment earnings. Strategic upskilling in high-demand fields and exploring regional job markets can help households build financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average life expectancy, good health

Clay County's 76.8-year life expectancy exceeds both North Carolina's 74.4-year average and approaches the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 18.3% reporting poor or fair health—below the national rate of 18%—Clay demonstrates stronger-than-average health outcomes overall.

Top-tier life expectancy in state

Clay ranks in the upper tier of North Carolina counties for life expectancy, exceeding the state average by 2.4 years. This strong performance reflects a county where residents enjoy both longer lives and better reported health status.

Outperforms most regional peers

Clay's 76.8-year life expectancy trails only Chatham's exceptional 79.9 years among comparable counties. At 44 primary care providers per 100,000, Clay has moderate access—not as robust as Chatham but adequate for its population's needs.

Slightly elevated uninsured rate

Clay's 13.3% uninsured rate is among the highest in its peer group, exceeding the state average of 12.5% by 0.8 percentage points. With 44 primary care and 152 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers reasonable healthcare infrastructure despite coverage gaps.

Bridge the coverage gap now

Clay's higher uninsured rate is an opportunity to enroll: visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore options. Coverage is especially important given the county's aging population and excellent life expectancy—you'll want reliable care as you age.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay ranks among America's safest counties

Clay County's composite risk score of 26.88 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural disasters.

North Carolina's lowest-risk county profile

At 26.88, Clay's composite risk score is among the lowest in North Carolina, where the state average stands at 66.72. The county ranks as one of the state's safest places to live from a natural disaster perspective.

Significantly safer than regional peers

Clay's 26.88 score makes it safer than neighboring Cherokee County (56.71) and substantially below Catawba County (80.57). The county stands out as the region's safest from a natural disaster risk standpoint.

Wildfire and flood create modest concerns

Wildfire risk at 64.31 represents Clay's highest single hazard score, though still moderate by statewide standards, while flood risk stands at 43.83. Tornado, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain well below state averages.

Standard coverage adequate for Clay County

Clay residents benefit from low overall risk, making standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient for most properties. Focus your coverage review on wildfire protection if you live in forested areas, given the county's 64.31 wildfire score.

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.