Clay County, KY

County

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2024 Population

19,921

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

40.2

0.985% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

32.4%

1.85% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$40,900

3.26% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$90,700

3.89% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

6,301

0.99% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Clay County, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in Clay County, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Clay County, KY are Edge Academy of Beauty (26 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Clay County, KY was $90,700, and the homeownership rate was 76.4%.

Most people in Clay County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Clay County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Clay County, KY borders Bell County, KY, Jackson County, KY, Knox County, KY, Laurel County, KY, Leslie County, KY, Owsley County, KY, and Perry County, KY.

United States Kentucky

Population & Diversity

Clay County, KY is home to a population of 19.9k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.858% of Clay County, KY residents were born outside of the country (171 people).

In 2024, there were 23.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (18.2k people) in Clay County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 769 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 289 Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2024 Citizenship

99.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.3% of Clay County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Clay County, KY was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Clay County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Clay County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
18.2k ± 365
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
769 ± 86
Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic)
289 ± 364

2.11%

Hispanic Population

421 people

2.11% of the people in Clay County, KY are hispanic (421 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Clay County, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
34,091 ± 4,516 people
Cuba
20,475 ± 3,505 people
India
12,629 ± 2,755 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,091 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 20,475 and India with 12,629.

Foreign-Born Population

0.858%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

171 people

2023 Foreign-Born Population

201 people

As of 2024, 0.858% of Clay County, KY residents (171 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Clay County, KY was 1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Clay County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
197 ± 109
Gulf War (2001-)
175 ± 80
Gulf War (1990s)
83 ± 54

Clay County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.13 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Clay County, KY.

Economy

The economy of Clay County, KY employs 6.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Clay County, KY were Educational Services (954 people), Retail Trade (909 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (711 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($135,000), Utilities ($66,137), and Finance & Insurance ($65,559).

Employment

Occupations

6.3k

2024 Value

± 641

−0.99%

1 Year decline

± 14.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Clay County, KY declined at a rate of −0.99%, from 6.36k employees to 6.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Clay County, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (789 people), Management Occupations (627 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (567 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Clay County, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.3k

2024 Value

± 641

−0.99%

1 Year decline

± 14.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Clay County, KY declined at a rate of −0.99%, from 6.36k employees to 6.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Clay County, KY, are Educational Services (954 people), Retail Trade (909 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (711 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Clay County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Clay County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,313

Median earning men ± $5,928

$33,618

Median earning women ± $5,022

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($66,136), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($65,654), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($62,917).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($65,197), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($44,821), and Public Administration ($32,258).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Y-Axis

2.51%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

28
Retail Trade
17
Retail Trade
14
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$51.5k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$17.6k
Retail Trade
$5.45k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Clay County, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (33.9%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.808%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Clay County, KY awarded 26 degrees. The student population of Clay County, KY in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2 male students and 35 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Clay County, KY are White (26 and 100%).

The largest universities in Clay County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Edge Academy of Beauty (26 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Clay County, KY are General Cosmetology (11 and 42.3%), Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (9 and 34.6%), and Nail Specialist & Manicurist (5 and 19.2%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 37 students enrolled in Clay County, KY, 5.41% men and 94.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 34 records, of which 94.1% were women and 5.88% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist
9 degrees awarded
Nail Specialist & Manicurist
5 degrees awarded
Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor
1 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Clay County, KY was Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist with 9 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Clay County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Edge Academy of Beauty

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

26 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Edge Academy of Beauty with 26 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 2 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Clay County, KY, which is 0.0833 times less than the 24 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 26 degrees mean that there were InfinityM times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 0 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Clay County, KY was $90,700 in 2024, which is 0.273 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $87,300 to $90,700, a 3.89% increase. The homeownership rate in Clay County, KY is 76.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Clay County, KY have an average commute time of 29.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Clay County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Clay County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.75%.

Housing

Property

$90,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$13,106

$5,565

Median Property Taxes

±$509

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Clay County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Clay County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

76.4%

Homeownership

2024

63.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 76.4% of the housing units in Clay County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 77.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Clay County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$40,900

Median Household Income

± $7,504

7.29k

Number of Households

± 666

In 2024, the median household income of the 7.29k households in Clay County, KY grew to $40,900 from the previous year's value of $39,607.

The following chart displays the households in Clay County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Clay County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.449

2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.452

2022 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2023, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.449 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.729% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (76%)
Carpooled (11.3%)
Worked At Home (9.36%)

In 2024, 76% of workers in Clay County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.3%) and those who worked at home (9.36%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

29.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Clay County, KY have a longer commute time (29.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 6.97% of the workforce in Clay County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Clay County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Clay County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Clay County, KY have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Clay County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.75%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

32.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Clay County, KY (5.93k out of 18.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Clay County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 53.6% of the children was living in poverty in Clay County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 80.6 in Clay County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 15.5 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

94.8% of the population of Clay County, KY has health coverage, with 28.2% on employee plans, 43.6% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 7.9% on non-group plans, and 1.26% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Clay County, KY see 2,526 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,526 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4978 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 893 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,526 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Clay County, KY

Primary care physicians in Clay County, KY see an average of 2,526 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,526 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Clay County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.8% under 18 years, 20.2% between 18 and 34 years, 40.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.21%

Uninsured

28.2%

Employer Coverage

43.6%

Medicaid

13.8%

Medicare

7.9%

Non-Group

1.26%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Clay County, KY grew by 12.9% from 4.62% to 5.21%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Clay County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 99.6 in Clay County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Clay County, KY.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43.2% in Clay County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Clay County, KY.