CountyScore

Clay County

Texas · TX

#32 in Texas
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, Texas

Clay outperforms national livability norms

Clay County's composite score of 68.4 sits 18.4 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The strong showing reflects a solid mix of affordability, reasonable taxes, and moderate income opportunities.

Competitive within Texas's county rankings

Clay's 68.4 score exceeds Texas's statewide average of 66.8, confirming its standing as a reliable performer among the state's counties. The county delivers measurably better livability than most Texas peer counties.

Strong income and affordability balance

Clay County's income score of 33.9 is the second-highest among these eight counties, supported by median household income of $77,355. A cost score of 80.3 reflecting median home values of $161,300 and rents at $825 monthly creates good purchasing power for middle-income households.

Tax burden moderate, data gaps remain

The tax score of 64.0 with an effective rate of 1.360% provides decent relief but isn't among the lowest in the group. Important livability dimensions—school quality, health care, safety, and environmental factors—remain unmeasured, leaving key decisions incomplete.

Ideal for middle-income stability seekers

Clay County suits middle-income families and young professionals seeking balanced living: decent incomes, affordable housing, and reasonable taxes in a stable community. Its blend of opportunity and affordability makes it attractive to those prioritizing financial comfort without extreme affordability focus.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.9Risk85.7WaterComing Soon
🏛64
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡85.7
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

Coffee County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $64,672
Walker County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $54,509
Arkansas County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $60,831
Jackson County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $41,215
Sevier County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $51,641

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 taxes above national median

Clay County's 1.360% effective rate produces median taxes of $2,194 on a $161,300 home—roughly 18% above the national median tax burden. This places Clay in the upper half of U.S. counties for property tax load.

Higher than Texas average

Clay's 1.360% effective rate exceeds Texas's 1.276% state average by about 6%, and its $2,194 median tax bill runs roughly $1 below the state median. The county ranks in the top quarter of Texas counties by effective rate.

High taxes, mid-range homes

Clay's effective rate ranks second-highest among panhandle neighbors, behind only Childress (1.472%) and matching Carson County (1.362%). Despite similar rates to Carson, Clay's slightly higher home values push the annual bill to $2,194.

Clay County's annual bill

A Clay County home valued at the median of $161,300 generates approximately $2,194 in annual property taxes at the 1.360% rate. With mortgage additions, annual obligations reach roughly $2,707.

Contest high valuations

Clay County homeowners paying above-average tax rates should ensure their assessments match recent comparable sales in their area. Filing an appeal with the appraisal district could substantially reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay County offers exceptional housing relief

Clay County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.8% ranks among the lowest in our analysis, sitting 2.2 percentage points below the national average and 5.3 points below Texas's 18.1% state benchmark. Residents here enjoy some of the nation's healthiest housing cost burdens despite managing median rents of $825 monthly.

A Texas affordability leader

Clay County ranks among Texas's most affordable counties with a 12.8% rent-to-income ratio—a full 5.3 percentage points below state average. This exceptional positioning makes the county one of the best places in Texas for housing affordability across all income levels.

Comparison: Clay County's advantage

Clay County's $825 median rent runs $138 below the state average, while its $77,355 median household income outpaces most rural Panhandle neighbors like Childress ($60,333) and Cochran ($42,137). This combination of strong local incomes and moderate rents creates exceptional affordability.

Robust finances, lean housing costs

Renters in Clay County dedicate just $825 monthly from a $77,355 household income, investing only 12.8% in rent—among the lowest ratios in the region. Homeowners pay $872 toward a median home value of $161,300, creating manageable total housing burdens across both renter and owner households.

Clay County: Texas affordability gem

For families prioritizing housing affordability without sacrificing reasonable local wages, Clay County delivers exceptional value in the Texas Panhandle region. The county's 12.8% housing burden and strong household incomes leave substantial room for savings and life quality beyond housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay County's income approaches national average

Clay County's median household income of $77,355 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $2,600, placing it slightly above the U.S. benchmark. The county represents solid middle-class earning power regionally.

Above Texas average, strong regional position

At $77,355, Clay County's median household income surpasses the Texas state average of $64,737 by $12,618, or 19.5%. The county ranks among higher-income communities statewide, though below top earners like Chambers County.

Outearns most regional peer counties

Clay County's $77,355 ranks second only to Carson County ($84,583) and substantially exceeds Cherokee County ($59,830), Childress County ($60,333), and Cass County ($54,328). The county enjoys a strong income position regionally.

Excellent housing affordability for region

At 12.8%, Clay County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this analysis, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $161,300 is reasonable for households with this income level, leaving margin for other expenses.

Build wealth with Clay County's advantage

With above-average income and excellent housing affordability, Clay County residents can confidently invest surplus earnings. Maximize retirement savings, consider rental property investments, and explore diversified portfolio strategies to accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Clay County leads on longevity and health

At 75.7 years, Clay County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, and just 16.6% report poor or fair health—well below the national average of 18%. The county consistently ranks among the healthiest in this region.

Above-average on multiple health fronts

Clay County's 75.7-year life expectancy exceeds the Texas average of 74.3 by over a year, and its 16.1% uninsured rate beats the state average of 19.8%. Both metrics position Clay County among the state's better-performing counties.

Second-best health outcomes regionally

Clay County's 75.7-year life expectancy ranks second only to Chambers County (76.2) in the region, and its 16.1% uninsured rate is the second-lowest. With 39 primary care providers and 28 mental health providers per 100K, access is reasonable.

Strong coverage, moderate provider access

Clay County's 16.1% uninsured rate means most residents have insurance, and the county's relatively low 16.6% poor or fair health rate reflects overall wellness. Primary care at 39 per 100K and mental health services at 28 per 100K provide decent access without being exceptional.

Maintain excellent health coverage

Clay County residents who lack insurance should enroll through Healthcare.gov to join the county's strong insurance base. With health outcomes already strong, universal coverage will help keep Clay County on top.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay County ranks nationally safest

Clay County's composite risk score of 14.28 is among the lowest in the nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county's inland north Texas location provides exceptional protection from hurricanes and major flood events affecting other regions.

Safest county in Texas dataset

At 14.28, Clay County's composite risk score runs 71% below Texas's average of 49.00, making it one of the state's most resilient counties. The county ranks at the very bottom of natural disaster exposure statewide.

Clear safety advantage in region

Clay County significantly outperforms all comparison counties, scoring nearly half that of Childress County (19.56) and a quarter of Carson County (25.22). Its north-central Texas position offers superior protection compared to all peer regions.

Wildfire only significant exposure

Wildfire risk (87.88) is Clay County's lone meaningful hazard, though tornado risk (52.26) remains manageable at 52.26. Flood exposure is minimal (14.15), and hurricane and earthquake risks are negligible.

Wildfire coverage is the main priority

Homeowners should secure standard insurance with optional wildfire coverage, particularly if properties abut grasslands or forested areas. The county's exceptional overall safety profile means most residents need only basic hazard protection.

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.