County · South Dakota
Clay County, South Dakota
Clay County, South Dakota. Clay County had 15,031 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.4% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 17 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 12 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 46027.
Clay County is the county of the Vermillion, SD micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,031
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,967 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,219
Median household income
$56,850
±$5,165 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$232,300
±$23,314 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$770
±$55 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Clay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,967 residents in Clay County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,031 for July 1, 2025, up 0.4% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,219 over 412 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,219 | 907,428 | +1,262 |
| Households | 5,547±215 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.09 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,262±38 | 408,584 | +223 |
Clay County's population since 2000
From 13,537 in 2000 to 15,031 in 2025: up 11.0%. 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 17 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Vermillion with 11,720 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Vermillion | 11,695 | $50,456 |
|---|---|---|
| Fairview Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602720580 | 590 | $99,219 |
| Vermillion Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602766740 | 392 | not published |
| Wakonda | 347 | $61,250 |
| Spirit Mound TownshipGEOID 4602760260 | 221 | $164,643 |
| Meckling TownshipGEOID 4602741740 | 204 | $74,750 |
| Glenwood Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602724660 | 201 | $84,600 |
| Irene | 422 | $66,563 |
| Bethel TownshipGEOID 4602705100 | 187 | $125,714 |
| Garfield Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602723580 | 186 | $250,000 or more |
| Prairie Center Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602751580 | 185 | $85,114 |
| Pleasant Valley Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602750740 | 161 | $86,944 |
| Norway Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602745860 | 155 | not published |
| Riverside Township, Clay CountyGEOID 4602755020 | 148 | $106,719 |
| Star TownshipGEOID 4602761340 | 104 | not published |
| BurbankGEOID 4608500 | 93 | $27,941 |
| MecklingGEOID 4641700 | 48 | $44,200 |
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 24.9 years old; 17.4% are under 18 and 12.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.1%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 24.9±0.7 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.4%±0.9 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.2%±0.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% | 4.8% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.2%±1.7 pts | 79.8% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.1%±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±1.1 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.2%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1%±1.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.2%±2.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1%±2.6 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±2.4 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.4%±4.4 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 20.2%±3.3 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.3%±1.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
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 5,547 households earn less than $56,850 a year (±$5,165), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $62,426 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,850±$5,165 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,631±$6,780 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,824±$2,649 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.7%±2.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.9%±4.2 pts | 14.3% | −12.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±2.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.6%±3.3 pts | 89.6% | – |
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 50.8% of Clay County's occupied homes and renters 49.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $232,300 by its owner (±$23,314). The median renter pays $770 a month including utilities, and 40.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $232,300±$23,314 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $770±$55 | $946 | −$142 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.2%±10.8 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,653±$90 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.8%±3.9 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,262±38 | 408,584 | +223 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.4%±4.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.2%±4.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.9%±3.9 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.5%±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.7%±4.0 pts | 15.8% | – |
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 21 new housing units across Clay County in 2025 (16 single-family), 1.4 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?
75.4% of Clay County's workers drive alone and 6.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5%±2.7 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±2.3 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4%±3.9 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.8%±2.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±1.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 8.9%±2.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.6%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.5 min±2.4 | 17.8 min | +3.6 min |
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 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,769 (Tract 9659) to $84,899 (Tract 9658).
| Tract 965746027965700 | 5,891±426 | $55,125 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 965846027965800 | 3,230±63 | $84,899 |
| Tract 965946027965900 | 6,098±424 | $48,769 |
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 South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 39th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th of 66 |
| Median household income | 57th of 66 |
| Median home value | 13th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 32nd of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 66 |
| Median age | 65th of 66 |
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.