Clay
Arkansas

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Arkansas. 14,537 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +17).

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $44,685 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,107. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 69% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,955 a year.

Home

The median home costs $124K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $621 a month. Property tax is 0.54% of home value, roughly $461 a year on that median home, lower than 84% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.5 years, shorter than 84% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 3.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 11.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.70 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 45% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arkansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 61°F, highs near 71 and lows near 51, warmer than 71% of American counties. About 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 64 out of 100, riskier than 64% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 174 Mbps down, slower than 61% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.