1st Advantage MortgageIn Clay County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $56,850 a year and the typical rent is $770. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in South Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Clay County
- How Clay County residents earn a living
- Household income in Clay County
- Clay County housing compared with South Dakota
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Clay County
- Clay County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Clay County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Clay County borrowers
- People and households in Clay County
- Licensing and complaints for Clay County
- Steps before you apply in Clay County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Clay County
Clay County is home to about 15,219 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 14th most populous of 66 county-level areas in South Dakota. Land area is 412 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 37 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Vermillion is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 11,878 people (78% of the county total).
How Clay County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Clay County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 36% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (14%). Education and health care stands out: 36% of workers here, versus 25% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.0% in Clay County. About 75% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Clay County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 36.2% | +11.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.6% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.3% | -3.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.9% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Clay County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Clay County
Clay County households have a median income of $56,850 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 57th of 66 in South Dakota.
| Band | Clay County | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | +9.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | -1.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -1.8 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.7% of Clay County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.480 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Clay County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Clay County housing compared with South Dakota
Renters in Clay County pay a median of $770 a month, 19% below the South Dakota figure of $946. By the Census definition, 49% of Clay County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $232,300, a typical Clay County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 51% of homes. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Clay County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $770/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $232,300 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 51% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | n/a |
With renters making up 49% of households, many Clay County borrowers have no home equity to fall back on, so the cheapest written offer on an unsecured loan matters more.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Clay County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Clay County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 12,456 residents, leaving about 18% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermillion | city | 11,878 | $50,456 | $764 | 10 mi |
| Wakonda | town | 399 | $61,250 | $807 | 9 mi |
| Burbank | CDP | 110 | $27,941 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Meckling | CDP | 69 | $44,200 | n/a | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Clay County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clay County's, from 18 to 30 miles away. Income ranges from $72,454 in Dixon County to $99,166 in Lincoln County; all six of these neighbors top Clay County's median. The list crosses into Nebraska, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | - | $56,850 | $770/mo | 51% |
| Union County, SD | 18 mi | $89,636 | $1,069/mo | 73% |
| Yankton County, SD | 22 mi | $72,821 | $781/mo | 73% |
| Cedar County, NE | 26 mi | $73,578 | $716/mo | 80% |
| Lincoln County, SD | 28 mi | $99,166 | $1,260/mo | 71% |
| Turner County, SD | 28 mi | $75,771 | $742/mo | 79% |
| Dixon County, NE | 30 mi | $72,454 | $689/mo | 77% |
Debt-to-income at Clay County's medians
Clay County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Clay County: $4,738
- 16% goes to median rent ($770)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $888 left for all other debt payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,362 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Clay County borrowers
Based on the Clay County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Clay County loan.
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Consolidating cards in Clay County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
People and households in Clay County
College graduates make up 45% of the adult population. 9.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Clay County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 24.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 45.4% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 62.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 14.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Licensing and complaints for Clay County
Consumer lenders serving Clay County are licensed by the state, not the county; in South Dakota that is the South Dakota Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Clay County
A short checklist for Clay County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Clay County earn?
The median is $56,850; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Clay County rent compare with South Dakota?
$770 locally versus $946 for the state, 19% below.
What are the biggest places in Clay County?
By population: Vermillion, Wakonda, Burbank, Meckling. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Can Clay County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Clay County?
Start with the South Dakota Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.