County · Illinois
Clay County, Illinois
Clay County, Illinois. Clay County had 12,793 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 18 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 17025.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,793
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,288 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,052
Median household income
$60,417
±$11,361 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$97,400
±$10,728 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$735
±$41 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 13,288 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,793 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,052 over 468 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,052 | 12,694,798 | −235 |
| Households | 5,311±228 | 5,036,449 | −385 |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,165±45 | 5,457,452 | −276 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 14,560 in 2000 to 12,793 in 2025: down 12.1%. 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 18 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Harter Township with 5,912 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Harter Township | 6,159 | $53,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Flora | 4,803 | $47,148 |
| Louisville Township | 1,668 | $55,288 |
| Clay City Township | 1,166 | $63,125 |
| Louisville | 1,136 | $43,750 |
| Clay City | 847 | $53,472 |
| Stanford TownshipGEOID 1702572247 | 625 | $101,250 |
| Xenia Township | 617 | $65,179 |
| Blair TownshipGEOID 1702506392 | 573 | $61,964 |
| Larkinsburg TownshipGEOID 1702542158 | 569 | $74,464 |
| Pixley TownshipGEOID 1702560261 | 520 | $78,929 |
| Xenia | 380 | $45,313 |
| Oskaloosa TownshipGEOID 1702556835 | 362 | $71,750 |
| Hoosier TownshipGEOID 1702536087 | 362 | $84,688 |
| Songer TownshipGEOID 1702570486 | 337 | $43,795 |
| Bible Grove TownshipGEOID 1702505807 | 330 | $56,094 |
| IolaGEOID 1737621 | 98 | $46,250 |
| Sailor SpringsGEOID 1766599 | 89 | not published |
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 40.4 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.3%.
| Measure | Clay County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±0.8 | 39.0 | −2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 23.8%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 18.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.8%±0.3 pts | 58.1% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.9%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 18.0%±2.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1%±1.5 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±1.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.1%±3.1 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 5,311 households earn less than $60,417 a year (±$11,361), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $59,689 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,417±$11,361 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,529±$10,012 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,980±$3,964 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.5%±2.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.7%±6.6 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.5%±4.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.9%±2.9 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 79.3% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,400 by its owner (±$10,728). The median renter pays $735 a month including utilities, and 18.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $97,400±$10,728 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $735±$41 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 18.7%±9.2 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175±$98 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3%±4.2 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,165±45 | 5,457,452 | −276 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2%±4.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.0%±3.8 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.5%±3.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.7%±3.9 pts | 20.2% | – |
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 2 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.2 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?
85.6% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Clay County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.6%±2.8 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±1.9 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.6%±3.4 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±3.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4%±1.7 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.0 min±3.6 | 27.8 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 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $45,391 (Tract 9721) to $75,231 (Tract 9719).
| Tract 971917025971900 | 2,264±208 | $75,231 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 972017025972000 | 3,004±285 | $54,417 |
| Tract 972117025972100 | 4,825±355 | $45,391 |
| Tract 972217025972200 | 2,959±363 | $75,029 |
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 Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 80th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 81st of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 76th of 102 |
| Median household income | 83rd of 102 |
| Median home value | 92nd of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 82nd of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 99th of 102 |
| Median age | 75th of 102 |
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.