Clay County

As of the 2020 census, Clay County, IL, has a population of approximately 13,382. The racial makeup includes 96.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up about 1.8% of the population. The county has 5,546 households and a median age of around 43.9 years. The median household income is about $50,221, and roughly 13.9% of the population lives below the poverty line.

As of the latest available data, Clay County, IL has approximately 6,000 housing units. The median home value is roughly $86,000. The homeowner vacancy rate is around 1.8%, while the rental vacancy rate is about 9.2%. Median rent stands at approximately $600 per month. Roughly 70% of the housing units are owner-occupied, and 30% are renter-occupied. The county experiences a mixture of newer and older homes, with a significant portion built before 1980.

As of the most recent data, Clay County, Illinois conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. The county has precincts where registered voters can cast their votes. In the 2022 general elections, key positions included:

• Sheriff: (Republican candidate) Andy Myers vs. (Democratic candidate) no opposition.
• County Clerk: (Republican candidate) Brian W. Zimdars ran unopposed.
• County Treasurer: (Republican candidate) Angela Tschiggfrie won unopposed.
• County Board: Multiple seats were contested, with several candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties vying for positions.

Specific numerical values such as voter turnout, percentages of votes received by each candidate, and exact counts often need referencing local election board records or recent reports for detailed figures. Voting often sees a turnout ranging from 40-70%, varying by the election type and year. For the most accurate and up-to-date results, refer to the Clay County Clerk's Office or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

As of the latest available data, Clay County, IL has educational attainment levels that are generally below both state and national averages. Approximately 84% of adults aged 25 and older in Clay County have attained a high school diploma or higher, compared to the national average of around 90% and the Illinois state average of about 89%. For higher education, only about 12% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly lower than the national average of roughly 33% and the Illinois state average of approximately 34%. The lower levels of higher education attainment suggest that Clay County lags behind broader educational trends in the United States and Illinois.

As of the latest data, Clay County, IL, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 60%, with an unemployment rate around 4.8%, slightly higher than the national average of 4.0% but close to the Illinois state average of 4.6%. The top industries in Clay County include manufacturing, health care, retail trade, and agriculture. Manufacturing employs about 20% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of around 8.5%. Health care and social assistance account for approximately 15%, similar to the national average. Retail trade employs about 12%, slightly below the national average of 15%. Agriculture remains a critical sector, engaging about 10% of the workforce compared to the national average of 1.3%. These figures highlight Clay County's strong manufacturing base and agricultural presence, diverging from broader national employment trends.

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As of the latest data, Clay County, IL, has a median household income of approximately $45,000. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which is around $68,703, and the Illinois state median household income, which stands at approximately $68,428.

Here's a comparison table:

This data highlights the economic disparity between Clay County and broader averages, indicating potential socioeconomic challenges within the county compared to state and national levels.

As of the most recent data, Clay County, Illinois, has a relatively low crime rate compared to the national average. The overall crime rate is about 13.55 per 1,000 residents annually.

The low crime rates in Clay County are indicative of a safer community when compared to larger metropolitan areas. Local law enforcement efforts and community programs contribute significantly to maintaining this low rate.