Clay
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the school test score is in the top 4% of American counties (3.53 where 3.0 is grade level), and high-school completion is in the top 5% of American counties (95%). Within Iowa it ranks 34th of 99 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Iowa. 16,423 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +27).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $61,756 a year, higher than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,504. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,347 a year.

Home

The median home costs $195K, cheaper than 65% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $758 a month. Property tax is 1.24% of home value, roughly $1,878 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 84% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.1 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 36 active physicians in the county, about 21.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 6.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 96% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa 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 48°F, highs near 59 and lows near 37, colder than 81% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 51 out of 100, riskier than 51% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 187 Mbps down, slower than 55% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.