County · Nebraska
Clay County, Nebraska
Clay County, Nebraska. Clay County had 6,170 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 27 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 31035.
Clay County is one of the 3 counties of the Hastings, NE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,170
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,104 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,095
Median household income
$78,986
±$5,366 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$155,600
±$7,573 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$645
±$105 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,104 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,170 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,095 over 572 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,095 | 1,978,707 | −108 |
| Households | 2,490±91 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.09 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,817±38 | 863,444 | −190 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 7,039 in 2000 to 6,170 in 2025: down 12.3%. 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 27 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Sutton with 1,466 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Sutton | 1,447 | $81,313 |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Township | 1,078 | $64,375 |
| Harvard | 951 | $66,000 |
| Clay Center | 735 | $82,500 |
| Fairfield Township | 508 | $68,750 |
| Edgar Township | 488 | $51,786 |
| Edgar | 428 | $50,625 |
| Glenvil TownshipGEOID 3103519105 | 397 | $84,444 |
| Fairfield | 330 | $67,188 |
| Leicester Township | 318 | $120,250 |
| Glenvil | 260 | $67,750 |
| TrumbullGEOID 3149285 | 194 | $118,083 |
| Spring Ranch TownshipGEOID 3103546590 | 146 | $137,875 |
| Sutton TownshipGEOID 3103547990 | 135 | $123,750 |
| School Creek TownshipGEOID 3103544000 | 132 | $95,278 |
| Lewis TownshipGEOID 3103526840 | 121 | not published |
| Logan Township, Clay CountyGEOID 3103528630 | 119 | $63,500 |
| Eldorado TownshipGEOID 3103514660 | 100 | not published |
| Inland TownshipGEOID 3103524040 | 96 | $115,577 |
| Lone Tree Township, Clay CountyGEOID 3103528980 | 94 | $65,739 |
| Sheridan Township, Clay CountyGEOID 3103544770 | 83 | not published |
| Lynn TownshipGEOID 3103529820 | 67 | $172,917 |
| InlandGEOID 3124005 | 58 | not published |
| OngGEOID 3137140 | 49 | not published |
| DeweeseGEOID 3112945 | 42 | $18,750 |
| Marshall TownshipGEOID 3103530765 | 40 | not published |
| SaronvilleGEOID 3143755 | 35 | 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 39.1 years old; 24.6% are under 18 and 20.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.7%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clay County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1±0.7 | 37.2 | −3.4 |
| Under 18 years | 24.6%±0.2 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.3%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.7% | 12.7% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.1%±0.5 pts | 75.3% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 8.0% | −1.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.4%±1.5 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±1.6 pts | 7.2% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±1.5 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.3%±2.3 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.4%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.6 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 2,490 households earn less than $78,986 a year (±$5,366), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,362 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,624 after inflation. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,986±$5,366 | $76,475 | +$8,624 |
| Mean household income | $96,609±$6,872 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,221±$2,793 | $41,751 | +$5,329 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9%±1.6 pts | 10.6% | −3.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0%±2.6 pts | 12.0% | −9.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.1%±1.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.9%±2.2 pts | 90.6% | – |
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 81.9% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 18.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,600 by its owner (±$7,573). The median renter pays $645 a month including utilities, and 19.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,600±$7,573 | $238,600 | +$43,238 |
| Median gross rent | $645±$105 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.4%±5.7 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,330±$59 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.9%±2.6 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,817±38 | 863,444 | −190 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.3%±7.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.7%±2.1 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 40.6%±3.1 pts | 18.7% | – |
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 18 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (18 single-family), 2.9 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?
82.3% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 6.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.9%.
| Measure | Clay County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5%±2.2 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | −1.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.3%±3.7 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±2.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.7%±2.9 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.6 | 19.2 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 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $74,118 (Tract 9622) to $80,978 (Tract 9621).
| Tract 962131035962100 | 3,462±150 | $80,978 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 962231035962200 | 2,633±150 | $74,118 |
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 Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 47th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 32nd of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 93 |
| Median household income | 13th of 93 |
| Median home value | 49th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 78th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 64th of 93 |
| Median age | 76th of 93 |
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.