CountyScore

Clay County

West Virginia · WV

#10 in West Virginia
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clay County, West Virginia

Clay scores exceptionally high nationally

Clay County's composite score of 75.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 51%, ranking among the best-performing counties across America. The score reflects outstanding affordability and minimal tax burden compared to national standards.

Strong performer in West Virginia

At 75.5, Clay County exceeds the state average of 72.2, placing it among the top-ranked counties in West Virginia. The county demonstrates consistent advantages in livability and affordability across the state.

Lowest taxes and highly affordable housing

Clay County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.344% (tax score: 92.6) and excellent housing affordability (91.4) with median rent at $589 and homes at $107,100. These exceptional advantages create one of the nation's most tax-efficient living environments.

Income limits and health gaps persist

The income score of 11.3 reflects a median household income of $42,790, among the lowest in the group, limiting economic opportunity and advancement. Health outcomes (57.9) also suggest room for improvement in healthcare resources and wellness.

Ideal for tax-averse retirees

Clay County is perfect for retirees and individuals on fixed incomes who make minimizing taxes and housing costs their top priority. The exceptional composite score reflects genuine affordability, though it trades income potential for unbeatable cost of living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.6Cost91.4SafetyComing SoonHealth57.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.3Risk77.7WaterComing Soon
🏛92.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.7
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

Randolph County
Alabama
75.5
Median income: $51,551
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
Alaska
75.5
Median income: $62,500
Wells County
Indiana
75.5
Median income: $69,741
Lyon County
Iowa
75.5
Median income: $72,881
Lac qui Parle County
Minnesota
75.5
Median income: $71,639

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 has America's most generous rates

Clay County's 0.344% effective tax rate is exceptionally low even by national standards, placing it in the very bottom tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $369 is just one-seventh the national median of $2,690.

Clay ranks as West Virginia's most affordable

At 0.344%, Clay County has the lowest effective tax rate of any West Virginia county in this analysis, 31% below the state average of 0.497%. The median tax of $369 is the lowest statewide.

Clay vs. peer counties in the region

Clay's 0.344% rate is the lowest among all regional comparables, beating even Calhoun (0.397%) and all other neighbors. For homeowners seeking minimal property tax burden, Clay County stands alone.

Your annual property tax in Clay

On the median home value of $107,100, you'll pay approximately $369 per year—just $31 monthly. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $433 due to escrow requirements.

Could you be overassessed?

Even in the lowest-tax county in West Virginia, properties can be overvalued on the assessment roll. Reviewing your assessment ensures you benefit fully from Clay's naturally low tax environment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clay County

via CostByCounty

Clay approaches—then exceeds—affordability line

Clay County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national affordability threshold of 15%, signaling tight housing costs for residents earning a median $42,790. At $589 monthly rent, Clay offers modest affordability but requires careful budgeting.

Clay tracks near West Virginia average

At 16.5%, Clay County's rent-to-income ratio sits nearly even with West Virginia's statewide average of 16.9%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. Median rent of $589 reflects Clay's rural character and modest housing demand.

Clay falls between rural and moderate counties

Clay's $589 median rent ranks between ultra-affordable Calhoun ($483) and more expensive Boone ($823). At 16.5%, Clay's rent burden is lower than neighboring Barbour (19.9%) and Cabell (19.9%) but higher than Braxton (15.6%) and Brooke (13.9%).

Clay's modest affordability across tenures

Clay households earning $42,790 annually pay $589 on rent (16.5% of income) or $437 on mortgages (12.3%). Homeownership offers meaningful savings over renting, with median home values of $107,100 providing an accessible path to ownership for lower-income households.

Clay County: Rural West Virginia's middle option

Clay County offers balanced—if not exceptional—affordability, with $589 median rent and $107,100 median home values. Consider Clay if you seek rural living with moderate housing costs, though Calhoun and Braxton offer better rental deals for pure affordability seekers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clay County

via IncomeByCounty

Clay's income deeply below national median

Clay County's median household income of $42,790 falls 43% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, marking it among America's poorest counties. This substantial gap reflects structural economic challenges facing rural, coal-dependent Appalachia over the past two decades.

Among the poorest in West Virginia

Clay County's $42,790 median household income ranks in West Virginia's bottom tier, falling 22% below the state average of $54,746. Per capita income of $23,748 trails the state average of $30,335 by a significant margin, indicating limited earning opportunities throughout the community.

Second-poorest in this county cluster

Clay's $42,790 median household income ranks second-lowest in this profile, trailing only Calhoun ($41,421) and near Braxton ($44,449). All three counties represent the most economically distressed tier in this West Virginia sample.

Low rents ease housing burden

Clay County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% sits within healthy ranges, and its median home value of $107,100 remains highly accessible. For households earning near the median, low housing costs are essential—they provide critical breathing room in household budgets.

Build resilience through incremental gains

Clay residents in low-income situations should focus on skill development and credential earning that expand job options beyond local markets—online education and trade certifications offer pathways to higher income. Start with micro-savings goals, seek employer benefits wherever available, and consider geographic mobility for better-paying opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clay County

via HealthByCounty

Critically low life expectancy and poor health rates

Clay County residents live to just 69.3 years on average, nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 78.0 years and 2.9 years below West Virginia's state average. With 27.7% reporting poor or fair health, Clay faces severe chronic disease and health equity challenges.

Among West Virginia's lowest life expectancy counties

Clay County's 69.3-year life expectancy ranks in the bottom tier of West Virginia's 55 counties. The 7.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 7.6%, but underlying health disparities far exceed insurance coverage gaps.

Second-lowest life expectancy in comparison group

Clay's 69.3-year life expectancy ranks only above Boone County (68.9) among these eight counties, and its 27.7% poor/fair health rate trails only Calhoun's 28.7%. The county faces health outcomes comparable to Appalachia's most distressed communities.

Data gaps obscure primary care shortage

Clay County's primary care provider count is unavailable, but 103 mental health providers per 100,000 residents suggests modest behavioral health capacity. The 7.2% uninsured rate indicates most residents are covered, yet health outcomes remain among the state's worst.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Despite Clay's relatively low uninsured rate, those without coverage should act immediately given the county's significant health challenges. Visit healthcare.gov or West Virginia Medicaid to ensure you have access to the primary, preventive, and mental health services your family needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clay County

via RiskByCounty

Clay offers excellent natural disaster safety

Clay County's composite risk score of 22.30 earns a Very Low rating, placing it far below the national average. The county's location provides strong protection from major natural hazard exposure.

Among state's safest counties

Clay's score of 22.30 sits well below West Virginia's 49.21 average, ranking the county among the safest in the state. Only a few West Virginia counties offer comparable safety.

Protected position in central WV

Clay is substantially safer than neighboring Boone County (69.37) and Braxton County (36.16), offering residents superior protection from natural hazards. Its low-risk status provides a geographic advantage.

Flood is modest primary concern

Clay's flood risk of 53.47 represents its highest vulnerability, though still moderate by state standards. Wildfire, tornado, and earthquake risks are all quite low, ranging from 5.82 to 28.54.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Clay residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood coverage consideration in low-lying areas. The county's favorable risk environment means standard protections generally provide adequate security.

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.