Clay
Mississippi

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: the median household income is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($37,412), rainfall is in the top 10% of American counties (53 inches a year), and high-school completion is in the bottom 12% of American counties (82%). Within Mississippi it ranks 18th of 82 counties for the median household income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Mississippi. 18,598 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -48).

Mississippi exempts all retirement income from its income tax, which is a flat 4% on income over $10,000 for 2026 and is scheduled to be eliminated over the coming decade. Home prices and overall cost of living are the lowest in the country. The state also ranks last or near last on health, income and school measures, and the Gulf coast carries hurricane exposure.

Money

The typical household here brings in $37,412 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,617. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 73% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Mississippi takes 2.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,096 a year.

Home

The median home costs $149K, cheaper than 84% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $684 a month. Property tax is 0.67% of home value, roughly $741 a year on that median home, lower than 69% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.9 years, shorter than 71% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 7.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.71 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 84% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 7 points. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Mississippi 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 64°F, highs near 76 and lows near 53, warmer than 81% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 44 out of 100, safer than 56% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 269 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.