Clay County
AR · Pop. 14,399 · Rural County
Clay County sits in Arkansas across 639 square miles, home to 14,399 people at 22.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, rice, cotton. A median home price of $88,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F and average winter lows of 29.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Piggott Community Hospital is 12 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 217-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.52% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $88,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Piggott Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 12 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Clay County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 94/100
- Median home price
- $88k
- Property tax
- 0.52%
- Growing season
- 217 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.3"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Piggott Community Hospital, 12 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F, and average winter lows of 29.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $88,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.52%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Piggott Community Hospital is 12 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Arkansas
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The closest counties to Clay County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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