Clay
Illinois

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: the median home price is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($114K), the home price against local income is in the bottom 10% of American counties (1.5 years of income), and the property tax rate is in the top 12% of American counties (1.57%). Within Illinois it ranks 15th of 102 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Illinois. 13,248 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -58).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $58,028 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,797. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 84% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,872 a year.

Home

The median home costs $114K, cheaper than 95% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $721 a month. Property tax is 1.57% of home value, roughly $1,629 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.7 years, longer than 60% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 3.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 65 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 66 and lows near 46, warmer than 51% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 48 out of 100, safer than 52% of American counties; the county has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 266 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.