Clay
Missouri

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is in the top 10% of American counties (284 Mbps), the median household income is in the top 11% of American counties ($82,264), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 13% of American counties (87 of 100). Within Missouri it ranks 9th of 115 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Missouri. 253,085 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,544).

Missouri stopped taxing Social Security and public pensions for all residents in 2024 and has been cutting its top income-tax rate toward 4.5%. Home prices are well below the national average in both Kansas City and St. Louis. The state's property tax on vehicles, paid every year, surprises new arrivals; tornado exposure is high across the state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $82,264 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,093. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

Missouri takes 4.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,686 a year.

Home

The median home costs $322K, pricier than 74% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,112 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $2,733 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 494 active physicians in the county, about 19.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.27 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 81% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 69% of eligible voters turned out. Under Missouri law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 66 and lows near 45, colder than 51% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 284 Mbps down, faster than 90% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 breweries.