countyscore
67.9
County Score
Safety 89.1Schools 85.7Income & Jobs 80.1

County Report Card

About Clay County, Nebraska

Exceeding National Livability Standards

With a composite score of 66.1, Clay County performs significantly better than the national median of 50.0. It ranks high on the national scale for overall quality of life.

A Top Performer in Nebraska

Clay County outshines the state average score of 59.3 by nearly seven points. This performance cements its reputation as one of the most livable counties in Nebraska.

High Marks for Safety and Education

The county boasts an impressive safety score of 89.1 and a school score of 85.7. It also maintains strong economic standing with an income score of 78.5 and a median household income of $75,938.

Water Quality Remains a Concern

Despite high marks elsewhere, the water score of 4.2 represents a major area for improvement. The risk score of 44.0 also indicates some vulnerability to environmental stressors compared to neighbors.

The Ideal Choice for Family Growth

Clay County is a premier destination for families who prioritize top-tier schools and a safe community. The combination of high incomes and affordable $701 median rent offers a high standard of living.

2040608010023.579.389.170.685.780.1444.245.6Tax23.5Cost79.3Safety89.1Health70.6Schools85.7Income80.1Risk44Water4.2Weather45.667.9/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Clay County DNA

C-overall

How Clay County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Clay County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (89.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
23.5-28.5
Cost
79.3+31.299999999999997
Safety
89.1+34.099999999999994
Health
70.6+20.599999999999994
Schools
85.7+31.700000000000003
Income
80.1+29.099999999999994
Risk
44
Water
4.2-53.8
Weather
45.6-10.399999999999999
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Clay County?

Many homeowners in Clay County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$155,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$645/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$155,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $78,986/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

65.7

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

Leslie County
Kentucky
Median income: $35,934
67.9
West Carroll Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $49,134
67.9
Shelby County
Iowa
Median income: $72,738
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Green County
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Median income: $46,798
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Antelope County
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Median income: $66,105
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Garfield County
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Median income: $62,804
68
Perry County
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Median income: $55,972
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Boone County
Nebraska
Median income: $74,947
67.8

Nearby counties

Fillmore County
Nebraska
70.9
Adams County
Nebraska
39.2
Hamilton County
Nebraska
62.8
Nuckolls County
Nebraska
76.2
York County
Nebraska
55.1
Hall County
Nebraska
34.7
Webster County
Nebraska
64.9
Thayer County
Nebraska
62.4

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 taxes slightly above national average

At 1.289%, Clay County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it around the 65th percentile nationally. While higher than most U.S. counties, Clay remains moderate compared to high-tax states like New Jersey and Illinois.

Right at Nebraska's average

Clay County's 1.289% effective rate nearly mirrors Nebraska's statewide average of 1.281%, ranking it squarely in the middle of the state's 93 counties. This makes Clay a representative example of typical Nebraska property tax burden.

Clay sits between regional highs and lows

Clay's 1.289% rate falls between higher-taxed Dakota County (1.594%) and lower-taxed Cuming County (1.038%) in the regional peer group. It's closer to the regional median, making it a moderate-tax area for the Eight-County region.

Annual tax bill averages $1,886

On Clay County's median home value of $146,300, homeowners pay approximately $1,886 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the typical liability climbs to $2,090; without one, it drops to $1,763.

Assessment review could lower your bill

Even in moderate-tax counties like Clay, some homeowners are overassessed relative to market conditions. Requesting a reassessment or filing an appeal is a low-cost step that has helped many Nebraska residents reduce overpayment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay exceeds national income benchmark

Clay County's median household income of $75,938 edges past the national median of $74,755 by $1,183. This positions Clay in the middle-to-upper range of U.S. counties, demonstrating solid economic standing relative to the broader nation.

Top tier Nebraska earner

Clay County ranks among Nebraska's highest-income counties at $75,938, exceeding the state median by $9,058. Only a select group of Nebraska counties earn more, placing Clay in the state's economic upper echelon.

Outearning most of central Nebraska

Clay County's $75,938 income surpasses nearby Cuming ($70,708), Custer ($66,310), and Dawson ($65,383) counties. Its strength reflects a more robust local economy and higher-wage opportunities than surrounding rural peers.

Strong housing affordability cushion

At 11.1%, Clay's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Nebraska's best, well below the 30% affordability threshold. This leaves households substantial room to cover other costs and build savings—a key advantage for wealth creation.

Leverage your income advantage

Clay County's above-average income and low housing costs create an ideal environment for wealth-building strategies like homeownership, retirement contributions, and investment portfolios. The combination of stable earnings and affordability gives households a meaningful head start in long-term financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clay County

via CrimeByCounty

Clay County is One of the Nation's Safest

Clay County is exceptionally safe, posting a total crime rate of just 230.0 per 100,000 residents. This is roughly one-tenth of the national average, resulting in a near-perfect safety score of 99.6.

Outperforming the Nebraska Safety Average

The county outshines the state average safety score of 99.0 with its own 99.6 rating. Its total crime rate is also significantly lower than the Nebraska average of 626.7.

A Benchmark for Regional Safety

Clay County's crime rate is significantly lower than nearby Custer and Colfax counties. It serves as a regional leader in public safety, reporting zero violent crimes in 2022.

Property Crime Dominates Minimal Incidents

Property crime accounts for the entire local crime rate at 230.0 per 100,000 residents. With no reported violent crimes, the risk to personal safety remains remarkably low for all residents.

Maintaining a Secure Community Environment

Even in one of Nebraska's safest areas, simple home security habits prevent opportunistic property crimes. Lighting and locked doors ensure that Clay County remains a secure place to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Clay County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Conditions in the Heartland

Clay County reports an annual average temperature of 51.6°F, placing it near the national median for temperate zones. Its 28.6 inches of annual precipitation provides a more humid environment than the western high plains.

One of Nebraska’s Warmer Counties

At 51.6°F, Clay County is warmer than the Nebraska state average of 49.7°F. It also receives 28.6 inches of rain, exceeding the state average of 25.9 inches.

Moderate Snow and Ample Rain

The county sees 20.9 inches of snow annually, which is lower than many of its northern and western neighbors. It remains a primary agricultural hub due to its steady 28.6 inches of annual precipitation.

Humid Summers and Cold Winters

July brings an average of 76.4°F with 34 days of extreme heat exceeding 90°F. Winter remains cold but manageable, with a December-to-February average of 28.2°F.

Focus on Summer Cooling

Efficient air conditioning is a priority here given the 34 days of extreme heat each year. Residents can expect a lighter snow load than northern counties, making standard winter tires sufficient for most travel.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Clay County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Silt-Rich Profiles

Clay County features a unique soil profile with an average pH of 6.04, making it significantly more acidic than the state average of 6.79. While taxonomic data is limited for this region, the chemical profile suggests a need for lime treatments in some agricultural settings.

Silt-Dominant Mix for Nutrient Retention

With a high silt content of 56.1% and 22.4% clay, these soils are exceptionally good at holding onto nutrients. The low sand content of 18.6% means the soil feels smooth and can be prone to compaction if worked when wet.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

This county boasts a high organic matter content of 4.61%, far exceeding the Nebraska state average of 3.32%. Combined with a high available water capacity of 0.211 in/in, this soil provides a powerhouse environment for plant growth.

Managing Dense Hydrology

The high silt and clay percentages suggest these soils move water slowly through the profile. While specific drainage class data is unavailable, the high water capacity indicates the land retains moisture well through dry spells.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 6a

Zone 6a offers a slightly longer growing season, making it ideal for melons and tomatoes that love the county's nutrient-dense soil. With an impressive soil score of 76.9, this is some of the most productive land in the region.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clay County

via LawnByCounty

Better Growing Conditions in Clay County

With a lawn difficulty score of 62.5, Clay County is a friendlier place for turf than the average Nebraska county. This score comfortably beats the national median of 50.0, indicating that local climate conditions are favorable for healthy hardiness zone 6a lawns.

Reliable Rainfall and Moderate Growing Seasons

The county receives 28.6 inches of rain annually, which is very close to the 30-inch ideal threshold for healthy turf. While there are 34 extreme heat days per year, the 3,485 growing degree days provide ample warmth for robust grass development.

Ideal Soil Acidity for Nutrient Uptake

The local soil pH of 6.04 falls perfectly within the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0 for most grass types. The soil composition includes 22.4% clay, which helps retain moisture even when natural rainfall fluctuates.

Resilient Landscapes Amid Abnormally Dry Weather

Clay County experienced 22 weeks of drought over the last year, though currently, the entire county is only categorized as abnormally dry. Focus on maintaining a taller grass height to shade the soil and reduce evaporation during dry spells.

Take Advantage of the April Start

Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass thrive in this zone 6a environment. With the last spring frost typically occurring around April 19th, homeowners can get an early start on seeding to establish deep roots before the July heat peaks.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clay County's county score?
Clay County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 67.9 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 Nebraska?
Clay County ranks #20 among all counties in Nebraska 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, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Clay County is $1,870, with an effective tax rate of 1.20%. This earns Clay County a tax score of 23.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County, Nebraska is $78,986 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clay County earns an income score of 80.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clay County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Clay County scores 67.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Nebraska. 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.