Clay County
IL · Pop. 13,173 · Suburban County
Clay County, Illinois covers 468 square miles with a population of 13,173 and a density of 28.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $94,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.62%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F and average winter lows of 22.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Clay County Hospital is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $94,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Clay County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.62% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Clay County, IL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $94k
- Property tax
- 1.62%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 98.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Clay County Hospital, 4.6 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 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F, and average winter lows of 22.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $94,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.62%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clay County Hospital is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Illinois 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 Illinois
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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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