CountyScore

Clay County

Tennessee · TN

#6 in Tennessee
74.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, Tennessee

Clay County achieves top-tier national livability

Clay County's composite score of 79.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 59%, placing it in the 79th percentile nationally. This exceptional performance reflects particularly strong affordability advantages across the county.

Tennessee's most affordable county option

Clay County's score of 79.4 ranks it well above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it among the very top performers statewide. This makes Clay County one of Tennessee's premier affordable living destinations.

Extraordinary housing affordability is the standout

Clay County's cost score of 91.8 is the highest in this group, with median rents of just $546 monthly and median home values of $136,900—creating unmatched affordability. A tax score of 85.0 with 0.614% effective rate adds further financial advantage.

Income levels and services warrant closer look

Clay County's income score of 12.6 reflects a median household income of $44,712, indicating minimal local wage-earning opportunities and suggesting reliance on external income sources. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are still being finalized.

Perfect for cost-conscious retirees and remote workers

Clay County is designed for people seeking rock-bottom housing costs and maximum affordability—retirees on fixed incomes, digital nomads, and remote employees will thrive here. Those whose income doesn't depend on local employment will find exceptional economic advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85Cost91.8SafetyComing SoonHealth57.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.6Risk86.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.7
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

Cleburne County
Alabama
74.5
Median income: $53,319
Gilpin County
Colorado
74.5
Median income: $88,654
Custer County
Idaho
74.5
Median income: $56,957
Lewis County
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74.5
Median income: $49,643
Franklin County
Indiana
74.5
Median income: $79,702

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's above-average rate

At 0.614%, Clay County's effective tax rate exceeds the national average of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the higher tier nationally. However, its median tax of $841 remains far below the national median of $2,690 due to smaller home values.

Higher than Tennessee average

Clay County's 0.614% effective rate ranks above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, making it one of the pricier counties to own property in statewide. This premium reflects local budget priorities and services relative to wealthier parts of the state.

Among the higher-taxed counties

At 0.614%, Clay County's rate trails only Carroll (0.663%) and Cocke (0.642%) in this group, making it the third-highest tax burden. Yet its median home value of $136,900 keeps actual tax bills reasonable compared to regional alternatives.

Annual tax on Clay properties

A median Clay County home valued at $136,900 carries approximately $841 in annual property taxes—roughly $70 per month. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,000 annually in escrow taxes.

Appeal if overassessed

Clay County residents should examine their assessment notices and challenge any discrepancies with recent sales data or appraisals. The county assessor's office processes appeals during designated windows, and many homeowners successfully reduce their tax liability by proving overvaluation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay's rent is a bargain baseline

Clay County renters spend 14.7% of household income on rent, well below the national median and among the lowest ratios in our sample. At just $546 per month, the median rent is rock-bottom, though the county's median household income of $44,712 means those savings are relative to limited earnings.

Affordability advantage despite low income

Clay's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% sits comfortably below Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, a rare bright spot for a county with the lowest median household income in our dataset. The extremely low rent of $546 gives Clay a genuine affordability edge, even if absolute income levels remain challenged.

Unmatched rental bargains here

Clay's $546 median rent is the lowest among all eight counties and trails even rural peers like Chester ($714) and Claiborne ($736). At the same time, ownership costs of $466/month are similarly rock-bottom, making Clay the de facto bargain-basement option for those prioritizing lowest absolute housing dollars.

Lowest cost, lowest income equation

The typical Clay household earns just $44,712 annually and pays $546 in monthly rent or $466 for ownership, spending 14.7% and 12.5% of gross income respectively. These are the lowest absolute housing costs in our sample, though they reflect a county where both wages and living standards remain constrained.

Maximum savings, minimum wages

Clay County offers unbeatable rental and purchase prices, but the trade-off is the lowest median household income in this group at $44,712. Only relocate here if you have remote income, a flexible career, or strong local job prospects that offset the regional income disadvantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County faces severe income gap

Clay County's median household income of $44,712 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $30,000, or 40%. The county ranks among America's most economically challenged communities, with wages reflecting limited job opportunities and industrial decline.

Tennessee's lowest-earning county

At $44,712, Clay County's median household income ranks lowest among all Tennessee counties, trailing the state average of $58,994 by $14,282. The county's per capita income of $23,401 also ranks among the state's weakest.

Deepest poverty in the region

Clay County's $44,712 median income ranks it below every measured peer, including Claiborne County ($46,587) and Cocke County ($48,416). Isolation and limited economic diversification compound the county's challenges compared to slightly larger regional neighbors.

Housing affordable but overall strain severe

Though Clay County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is relatively low, the county's rock-bottom median income creates serious affordability challenges across all living expenses. Residents allocate disproportionately high shares of their limited earnings to food, utilities, and healthcare.

Focus on financial stability first

Clay County households should prioritize building emergency funds and exploring free financial literacy resources through local libraries and nonprofits. Investigate gig economy opportunities and skill-building programs that might supplement primary incomes and create pathways to higher earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Clay's life expectancy trails the nation

At 71.9 years, Clay County residents live 4.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 24.8% poor or fair health rate—the highest among these eight counties—far exceeds the national average of 17%, indicating widespread chronic disease and health vulnerability. Clay faces the steepest health challenges of any county in this group.

Below Tennessee's baseline

Clay's 71.9-year life expectancy trails Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years by 0.5 years, placing it firmly in the lower half of the state's counties. Its 12.6% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 11.9%, and combined with the highest poor/fair health rate in this group (24.8%), suggests that health disparities extend beyond insurance. Socioeconomic factors likely drive both outcomes.

Among the most challenged counties

Clay's 71.9-year life expectancy ranks below most neighbors, better only than Cocke (68.0) but trailing Carroll, Claiborne, Coffee, and others. At 24.8% poor or fair health, Clay reports the worst health status among all eight counties studied. With 40 primary care providers per 100K and limited data on mental health providers, the county's health infrastructure appears under-resourced for its needs.

Higher uninsured rate, sparse data

Clay's 12.6% uninsured rate exceeds state average, and at 40 primary care providers per 100K, access is basic but potentially strained. Data on mental health providers is unavailable, making it impossible to assess behavioral health capacity. Given the county's highest poor/fair health rate (24.8%), comprehensive data and resource assessment are urgent priorities.

Start with coverage, seek support

Clay residents should visit healthcare.gov or contact TennCare immediately—the county's 12.6% uninsured rate is above average and each uninsured person misses preventive care. If you're struggling with health, poverty, or mental health challenges, primary care providers can refer you to community resources, financial assistance, and behavioral health services. Getting covered is the first step.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay County stands among state's safest

Clay County's composite risk score of 13.30 places it far below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 and represents one of the lowest disaster risk levels in the entire state. This very low rating reflects minimal multi-hazard exposure across nearly all disaster categories.

Among Tennessee's very lowest-risk counties

Clay County ranks among the safest of Tennessee's 95 counties with a score of just 13.30, reflecting exceptionally limited natural disaster vulnerability. Residents enjoy one of the state's most favorable risk environments for long-term planning and property investment.

Significantly safer than all regional peers

Clay County's 13.30 score is dramatically lower than every neighboring county, including Claiborne County (42.81), Cocke County (54.52), and all other surrounding jurisdictions. This marked differential underscores Clay County's exceptional safety profile within its region.

Earthquake risk modestly elevated above peers

Even Clay County's highest-risk category—earthquake (44.18)—remains notably below the state average, making it the county's only area of relative vulnerability. Tornado risk (38.49), flood risk (27.67), and wildfire risk (4.07) all sit comfortably below state norms.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Clay County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners policies for most hazard coverage, given the county's very low composite risk profile. Consider standalone earthquake insurance only if your property lies on known fault lines; otherwise, focus on routine home maintenance and emergency preparedness over specialized disaster coverage.

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.