1st Advantage MortgageIn Clay County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $43,125 a year and the typical rent is $817. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Clay County
- How much Clay County households make
- How Clay County residents earn a living
- Housing costs in Clay County
- Clay County towns compared
- How Clay County compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Clay County
- Reading the Clay County data as a borrower
- What a median Clay County budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Clay County
- More guides for Clay County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Clay County
Roughly 18,383 residents live in Clay County, Mississippi, 49th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 410 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 45 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Clay County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (1 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is West Point, with about 9,900 residents, or 54% of the county.
How much Clay County households make
At $43,125, the typical Clay County household income is 34% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 60 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Clay County | Gap to Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 42.4% | +9.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.3% | -8.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -3.4 pts |
About 42% of households earn under $35,000, while 15% clear $100,000. 20.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). For a borrower in Clay County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Clay County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 21%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 21% locally and 13% for Mississippi. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.8% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Clay County workers | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.8% | +7.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Housing costs in Clay County
A typical Clay County rental runs $817 a month including utilities, which is 14% below Mississippi. By the Census definition, 53% of Clay County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $129,100, about 3.0 times the median household income. Owners occupy 71% of homes.
| Clay County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,100 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Clay County towns compared
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Clay County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 10,062 people, so roughly 45% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Clay County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Point | city | 9,900 | $38,064 | $746 | 8 mi |
| Pheba | CDP | 162 | $19,132 | n/a | 11 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
How Clay County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clay County's, from 17 to 35 miles away. Income ranges from $43,586 in Chickasaw County to $58,789 in Webster County; all six of these neighbors top Clay County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | - | $43,125 | $817/mo | 71% |
| Oktibbeha County, MS | 17 mi | $46,695 | $915/mo | 48% |
| Chickasaw County, MS | 21 mi | $43,586 | $670/mo | 70% |
| Monroe County, MS | 23 mi | $51,866 | $768/mo | 76% |
| Lowndes County, MS | 24 mi | $53,812 | $930/mo | 61% |
| Webster County, MS | 29 mi | $58,789 | $632/mo | 76% |
| Choctaw County, MS | 35 mi | $50,919 | $638/mo | 79% |
People and households in Clay County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. 9.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Clay County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.3% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.9% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Clay County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 45.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 1.9% |
Reading the Clay County data as a borrower
What the Clay County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 53% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
What a median Clay County budget can carry
Here is the Clay County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Clay County: $3,594
- Rent at the median, $817, takes 23% of that
- With a 35% ceiling, about $441 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $800 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $817, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Clay County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clay County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Mississippi license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Clay County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Clay County resident can confirm its license with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Clay County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Clay County earn?
The median is $43,125; 15% earn $100,000 or more and 42% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Clay County?
$817 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Clay County?
By population: West Point, Pheba. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does living in Clay County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Clay County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Clay County?
Start with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.