1st Advantage MortgageClay County households have a median income of $78,986 and median rent of $645 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Nebraska before sharing details.
On this page
- First look: Clay County, NE
- How much Clay County households make
- The Clay County job picture
- Housing costs in Clay County
- Where Clay County differs from the rest of Nebraska
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Census places in Clay County
- A Clay County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Clay County
- Borrowing situations common in Clay County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Clay County
- Other Nebraska guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Clay County, NE
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Clay County's population at 6,095; only 46 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 572 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. Metro status: none; Clay County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Sutton (1,323 people) heads the county's list of 11 Census places, 10 incorporated and 1 census-designated. With so few households sampled, Clay County estimates can move a lot between releases.
How much Clay County households make
The median household income in Clay County is $78,986; statewide it is $76,475, so Clay County runs 3% above Nebraska as a whole.
| Household income | Clay County | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | -0.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | +1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -3.4 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. 6.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). None of these numbers decides a Clay County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Clay County job picture
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 16%. Relative to Nebraska (4%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 12 points bigger in Clay County (16%). The survey's unemployment rate for Clay County averages 1.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 11%; under 15 minutes: 37%.
| Where residents work | Clay County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.4% | +12.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.1% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 5.5% | +3.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Clay County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $645 in Clay County versus $1,072 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Clay County homes are worth $155,600 at the median, a 2.0-to-1 ratio to income. 82% of Clay County households own their home and 18% rent. Nationally, Clay County's $645 rent is 26% below the middle county.
| Home costs | Clay County | Nebraska | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 82% | 67% | +15.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 45% | -9.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 14% | 22% | -8.4 pts |
| Vacant units | 12% | 8% | +4.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $645/mo | $1,072/mo | 40% lower |
| Median home value | $155,600 | $238,600 | 35% lower |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% | 2.9% | -1.0 pts |
Because most Clay County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Where Clay County differs from the rest of Nebraska
Ranked against the other 92 county-level areas in Nebraska, these are the Clay County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Nebraska counties match Clay County on median gross rent: $645/mo here, $1,072/mo for the state, ranking 11th lowest of 93. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
- Clay County ranks 11th highest of 93 Nebraska counties for homeownership: 82%, against 67% statewide. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- On median household income, Clay County sits near the top of Nebraska at $78,986, 13th highest of 93. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 33 miles). Clay County's $78,986 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $64,347 (Webster County) to $83,994 (Hamilton County).
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | - | $78,986 | $645/mo | 82% |
| Adams County, NE | 24 mi | $68,365 | $857/mo | 70% |
| Fillmore County, NE | 24 mi | $76,295 | $716/mo | 80% |
| Nuckolls County, NE | 24 mi | $73,976 | $585/mo | 83% |
| Hamilton County, NE | 24 mi | $83,994 | $794/mo | 83% |
| Webster County, NE | 33 mi | $64,347 | $647/mo | 81% |
| Hall County, NE | 33 mi | $69,251 | $943/mo | 62% |
Census places in Clay County
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 78% of Clay County residents live in one of the 11. Clay Center ($82,500) and Edgar ($50,625) mark the top and bottom of Clay County's income range among larger places. Live in one of these Clay County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | city | 1,323 | $81,313 | $923 | 12 mi |
| Harvard | city | 1,008 | $66,000 | $708 | 7 mi |
| Clay Center | city | 802 | $82,500 | $625 | 0 mi |
| Edgar | city | 501 | $50,625 | $391 | 12 mi |
| Fairfield | city | 327 | $67,188 | $700 | 7 mi |
| Trumbull | village | 298 | $118,083 | $1,188 | 16 mi |
| Glenvil | village | 285 | $67,750 | $767 | 11 mi |
| Saronville | village | 69 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Deweese | village | 56 | $18,750 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Ong | village | 50 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Inland | CDP | 31 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
A Clay County household budget, worked through
Here is the Clay County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Clay County: $6,582
- Rent at the median, $645, takes 10% of that
- $1,725: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 43% ceiling, about $2,185 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Clay County's.
People and households in Clay County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22% of Clay County adults. The uninsured rate is 6.6%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| Measure | Clay County | Gap to Nebraska | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.3% | -12.3 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Work from home | 6.7% | -4.3 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | -3.7 pts | -6.3 pts |
| Median age | 39.1 | +1.9 yrs | -2.4 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | -1.3 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.9% | -1.1 pts | -2.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | -0.8 pts | -0.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | -0.6 pts | -1.3 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Clay County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Clay County
Clay County-specific points to check:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Clay County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clay County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Nebraska borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Clay County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Clay County borrowers answers to the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Nationally, Clay County residents can file with the CFPB. State-level detail for Clay County borrowers is in the Nebraska guide.
Other Nebraska guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Clay County?
$78,986 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,475 for Nebraska. It ranks 13th of 93 in the state.
How does Clay County rent compare with Nebraska?
$645 locally versus $1,072 for the state, 40% below.
Is Inland covered?
Yes. Inland is one of 11 Census places in Clay County, and this guide covers all of them.
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.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Clay County?
Look it up with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.