Clay County
IN · Pop. 26,431 · Suburban County
Clay County, Indiana covers 358 square miles with a population of 26,431 and a density of 73.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $129,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F and average winter lows of 22.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ascension St Vincent Clay is 9.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $129,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Ascension St Vincent Clay, with an emergency room, is just 9.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
At a glance
Clay County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 87/100
- Median home price
- $129k
- Property tax
- 0.46%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.5"
- Broadband
- 88.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Ascension St Vincent Clay, 9.3 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 6a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F, and average winter lows of 22.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $129,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ascension St Vincent Clay is 9.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Indiana 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 Indiana
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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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