County · North Carolina
Clay County, North Carolina
Clay County, North Carolina. Clay County had 12,239 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 37043.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,239
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,089 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,610
Median household income
$56,971
±$8,915 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$278,400
±$32,756 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$804
±$238 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,089 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,239 for July 1, 2025, up 10.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,610 over 215 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,610 | 10,730,404 | +664 |
| Households | 5,081±321 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.14 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,497±18 | 4,895,668 | +146 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 8,775 in 2000 to 12,239 in 2025: up 39.5%. 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 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Hayesville with 470 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hayesville | 461 | $55,625 |
|---|
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 55.0 years old; 16.1% are under 18 and 32.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.1%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clay County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.0±0.6 | 39.1 | +2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 16.1%±0.7 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 32.8%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.1% | 11.3% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.2%±1.1 pts | 60.0% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 20.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4%±1.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.2%±2.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.9%±4.3 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.8%±4.5 pts | 35.7% | +8.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.8%±2.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±2.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 5,081 households earn less than $56,971 a year (±$8,915), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $51,962 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,971±$8,915 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,069±$8,851 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,205±$4,233 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±3.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.0%±6.9 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2%±3.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±5.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 81.2% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 18.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $278,400 by its owner (±$32,756). The median renter pays $804 a month including utilities, and 32.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $278,400±$32,756 | $288,900 | +$56,506 |
| Median gross rent | $804±$238 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.3%±16.7 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,476±$199 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.2%±4.9 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,497±18 | 4,895,668 | +146 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±4.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.2%±5.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.5%±4.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.0%±1.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 108 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (108 single-family), 8.8 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?
79.1% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes.
| Measure | Clay County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.4%±4.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±5.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5%±4.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±3.6 pts | 16.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min±3.9 | 25.1 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 $50,490 (Tract 9501.01) to $85,000 (Tract 9502.01).
| Tract 9501.0137043950101 | 3,106±479 | $50,490 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0237043950102 | 2,690±412 | $52,143 |
| Tract 9502.0137043950201 | 2,967±474 | $85,000 |
| Tract 9502.0237043950202 | 2,847±519 | $50,938 |
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 North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 92nd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 83rd of 100 |
| Median household income | 66th of 100 |
| Median home value | 28th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 74th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 63rd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd of 100 |
| Median age | 2nd of 100 |
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.