1st Advantage MortgageClay County households have a median income of $56,971 and median rent of $804 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Carolina license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Clay County
- How Clay County residents earn a living
- Household income in Clay County
- Renting and owning in Clay County
- Regional comparison for Clay County
- Places inside Clay County
- Debt-to-income at Clay County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Clay County
- Who lives in Clay County, in numbers
- Four steps for Clay County borrowers
- North Carolina rules that apply in Clay County
- More guides for Clay County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Clay County
Roughly 11,610 residents live in Clay County, North Carolina, 92nd by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 215 square miles, that is close to 54 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hayesville, with about 1,208 residents, or 10% of the county.
How Clay County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Clay County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward other services (10% against 5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Clay County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Top industries | Clay County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.6% | -3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Construction | 11.4% | +4.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -2.8 pts |
| Other services | 9.7% | +4.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Clay County
Half of Clay County households take in less than $56,971 a year and half take in more, 21% below the North Carolina median of $72,388. In the state ranking that is 66th of 100.
| Yearly household income | Clay County | Gap to North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.9% | +8.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.0% | -4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.7% | +1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -6.0 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.9% of Clay County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.477 here. A household earning below the $56,971 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Clay County
A typical Clay County rental runs $804 a month including utilities, which is 35% below North Carolina. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $278,400, or 4.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Clay County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $804/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $278,400 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 42% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 13% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Regional comparison for Clay County
Six nearby counties, 10 to 23 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Clay County; Rabun County is highest at $67,493 and Graham County lowest at $49,684. The list crosses into Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | - | $56,971 | $804/mo | 81% |
| Towns County, GA | 10 mi | $59,135 | $808/mo | 82% |
| Cherokee County, NC | 18 mi | $53,628 | $813/mo | 84% |
| Macon County, NC | 20 mi | $59,061 | $803/mo | 78% |
| Union County, GA | 20 mi | $66,176 | $808/mo | 84% |
| Graham County, NC | 21 mi | $49,684 | $676/mo | 81% |
| Rabun County, GA | 23 mi | $67,493 | $1,047/mo | 77% |
Places inside Clay County
Hayesville is the only Census place mainly inside Clay County, with about 1,208 of the county's 11,610 residents. Live in one of these Clay County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayesville | town | 1,208 | $55,625 | $499 | 4 mi |
Debt-to-income at Clay County's medians
Clay County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $56,971 a year is $4,748 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $804 uses 17%
- Under a 43% cap, $2,041 total minus rent leaves $1,237
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Clay County
A few patterns in the Clay County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 16% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Older households. A 55.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Who lives in Clay County, in numbers
Degree holders: 32% of adults over 25. 15.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Clay County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.0 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.8% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.1% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Four steps for Clay County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Clay County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clay County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A North Carolina license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
North Carolina rules that apply in Clay County
Consumer lenders serving Clay County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Carolina that is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
More guides for Clay County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Clay County earn?
The median is $56,971; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Clay County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $804 against $1,228 statewide, and 40% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Clay County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Clay County?
By population: Hayesville. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Will a Clay County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming North Carolina as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.