County · Arkansas
Clay County, Arkansas
Clay County, Arkansas. Clay County had 14,052 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.4% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 12 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 05021.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,052
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,552 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,280
Median household income
$51,481
±$3,647 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$94,600
±$8,322 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$707
±$42 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,552 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,052 for July 1, 2025, down 3.4% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,280 over 639 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,280 | 3,049,391 | −609 |
| Households | 6,021±218 | 1,205,987 | −423 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.08 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,492±24 | 1,394,673 | −546 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 17,609 in 2000 to 14,052 in 2025: down 20.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Clay County?
Clay County holds 12 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Piggott with 3,508 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Piggott | 3,622 | $44,468 |
|---|---|---|
| Corning | 3,227 | $50,408 |
| Rector | 1,862 | $47,760 |
| St. FrancisGEOID 0561970 | 218 | $37,188 |
| PollardGEOID 0556600 | 193 | $44,167 |
| GreenwayGEOID 0528720 | 174 | $39,375 |
| KnobelGEOID 0537240 | 147 | $98,242 |
| McDougalGEOID 0542560 | 134 | $50,625 |
| Peach OrchardGEOID 0554140 | 105 | not published |
| SuccessGEOID 0567550 | 98 | $41,250 |
| NimmonsGEOID 0549820 | 69 | $30,938 |
| DattoGEOID 0517410 | 65 | $36,667 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clay County?
The median resident of Clay County is 42.7 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 21.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.9%.
| Measure | Clay County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7±0.6 | 38.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.5%±0.1 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.8%±0.1 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 9.0% | −1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.5%±0.4 pts | 67.4% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.0%±2.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8%±1.5 pts | 9.0% | +3.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6%±2.1 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3%±2.8 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.9 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4%±1.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Clay County earn?
Half of Clay County's 6,021 households earn less than $51,481 a year (±$3,647), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $45,822 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,659 after inflation. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,481±$3,647 | $60,773 | +$5,659 |
| Mean household income | $64,802±$4,419 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,594±$1,535 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±3.1 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.5%±6.6 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.1%±2.5 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.6%±2.9 pts | 86.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Clay County?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,600 by its owner (±$8,322). The median renter pays $707 a month including utilities, and 27.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $94,600±$8,322 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $707±$42 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.3%±8.6 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $907±$91 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7%±3.1 pts | 66.4% | +7.3 pts |
| Housing units | 7,492±24 | 1,394,673 | −546 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.4%±2.8 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.0%±2.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.1%±2.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Clay County building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (9 single-family), 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Clay County get to work?
79.7% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Clay County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.5%±2.3 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±2.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7%±3.8 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9%±2.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±2.2 pts | 8.8% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.3 min±1.8 | 22.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Clay County's census tracts?
Clay County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,601 (Tract 9506) to $67,917 (Tract 9503).
| Tract 950105021950100 | 1,827±250 | $45,469 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950205021950200 | 1,880±282 | $56,477 |
| Tract 950305021950300 | 1,660±232 | $67,917 |
| Tract 950405021950400 | 3,148±192 | $50,870 |
| Tract 950505021950500 | 1,907±264 | $49,414 |
| Tract 950605021950600 | 3,858±317 | $44,601 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clay County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th of 75 |
| Median household income | 39th of 75 |
| Median home value | 66th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 75 |
| Median age | 29th of 75 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Clay County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.