Population 7,835 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clay County
Household size in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.65 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.62 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Clay County average 2.62 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in West Virginia as a whole, where it has 2.43 people. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.65, as it has nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.9 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.9 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.5 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
Clay County skews older than the country: its median age is 43.5, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.4, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the west and oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Clay County than nationally: 13.5%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 5.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few West Virginia counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only four of 55.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Clay County
Renters in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.6% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.0% of households in Clay County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 71.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 3.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.1% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 29.0% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Clay County: 24.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.1 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Clay County are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $370 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $531 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $506 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $620 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$250 | +$327 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Clay County costs $620 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $250 a month since 2006–10, up 67%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Clay County
Bachelor's degrees in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.4% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Clay County: 11.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.7 points, in line with the national trend. Few West Virginia counties have a lower share of college graduates: only five of 55.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.7% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 69.8% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.9% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.6% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.9 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Clay County never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 10.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Clay County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five West Virginia counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.0% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Clay County: 12.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other West Virginia county has higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 4.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Clay County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | 2.62 | 43.5 | 13.5% | 24.0% | 24.2% | 1985 | $620 | 11.4% | 84.6% | 12.7% |
| Kanawha County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 11.4% | 28.9% | 16.1% | 1967 | $973 | 30.8% | 91.7% | 5.6% |
| Webster County | 2.81 | 48.2 | 8.6% | 22.7% | 31.0% | 1975 | $703 | 12.5% | 82.2% | 8.6% |
| Putnam County | 2.48 | 42.0 | 7.9% | 18.2% | 7.9% | 1987 | $960 | 29.6% | 93.9% | 3.1% |
| Cabell County | 2.29 | 40.9 | 9.9% | 35.8% | 14.6% | 1970 | $964 | 33.4% | 90.7% | 5.5% |
| Lawrence County | 2.55 | 42.9 | 12.6% | 27.7% | 14.9% | 1975 | $866 | 18.9% | 90.4% | 2.8% |
| Highland County | 2.32 | 56.8 | 3.5% | 11.1% | 46.9% | 1970 | $854 | 29.9% | 89.0% | 9.9% |
| Boyd County | 2.40 | 43.5 | 14.6% | 29.8% | 12.2% | 1972 | $844 | 20.2% | 90.1% | 6.4% |
| Greenup County | 2.42 | 44.1 | 9.3% | 19.7% | 9.5% | 1976 | $907 | 19.2% | 89.3% | 6.9% |
| Carter County | 2.39 | 42.2 | 7.3% | 20.0% | 11.5% | 1985 | $713 | 15.5% | 83.8% | 5.7% |
| Harrisonburg City | 2.64 | 31.1 | 11.4% | 60.5% | 11.7% | 1983 | $1,209 | 42.9% | 86.8% | 7.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Gregory County, SD · Sheridan County, KS · Green County, KY · Greene County, AL · Shelby County, MO · Greene County, IL · Greene County, MS · Greenlee County, AZ · Greensville County, VA · Greenwood County, KS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Clay County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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