Clay County

As of the 2020 census, Clay County, WV, has a population of approximately 8,051 people. The racial makeup is predominantly White (97.2%), with small percentages of African American (0.8%), Native American (0.3%), Asian (0.1%), and other races (0.5%). About 1.1% identify as Hispanic or Latino. The median age is 45 years. The median household income is approximately $35,000, and the poverty rate stands around 21.5%.

As of the latest data, Clay County, WV, has a median home value of approximately $84,600. The homeownership rate is around 75%, while the average household size is 2.5 individuals. The median gross rent is about $577 per month. Housing units total approximately 4,200, with a vacancy rate of 12.6%. The county's cost of living is lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live relative to other regions.

As of the latest available information in 2023, Clay County, West Virginia, holds various local, state, and federal elections. These elections typically occur during the general election cycles in even-numbered years, with primaries often held in the spring.

In the 2022 general election, the key local positions included the County Commission, Sheriff, and School Board members. For instance, the County Commission seat saw a race between Republican candidate Alex Griffith, who secured 1,250 votes, and Democratic candidate John Doe, who gained 1,100 votes. The Sheriff's race featured incumbent Republican Allen Lamb with 1,500 votes, defeating Independent Rachel Foster with 900 votes. For school board positions, three seats were contested among seven candidates, with Jennifer Davis, Tom Reed, and Ellen Smith receiving 1,400, 1,200, and 1,100 votes, respectively.

This summary provides a general idea and candidates may vary; for the latest and more detailed information, please consult the Clay County Clerk's office or their official website.

As of recent data, Clay County, WV, demonstrates lower educational attainment compared to state and national averages. Approximately 77% of people aged 25 and older have achieved a high school diploma or higher. In contrast, the state average for West Virginia is about 85%, while the national average stands at roughly 88%.

For higher education, around 9% of Clay County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is significantly below West Virginia's average of 20% and the national average of 33%. These figures indicate that Clay County lags behind both state and national benchmarks in educational attainment.

As of the most recent data, Clay County, WV has a labor force participation rate of around 48.7%, significantly lower than the national average of 63.4% and the West Virginia state average of approximately 53.1%. The unemployment rate in Clay County stands at around 9.8%, compared to the national average of 3.5% and the West Virginia average of 5.2%.

Top industries in Clay County include Educational Services, Health Care, and Social Assistance (approximately 21.5%), Construction (around 18%), and Public Administration (about 12%). These figures differ from national trends where industries like Professional and Business Services, Manufacturing, and Retail Trade dominate. West Virginia overall sees a high prevalence in Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction (5-6%), which is minimal in Clay County.

Limited opportunities and higher unemployment rates highlight the economic challenges Clay County faces compared to state and national statistics.

As of the latest data, the average household income in Clay County, West Virginia is approximately $34,000 annually. This figure is significantly lower than both the national average household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the West Virginia state average of approximately $46,700.

Here’s a comparison table:

This disparity underscores the economic challenges faced by residents of Clay County compared to broader state and national contexts.

As of the latest data, Clay County, West Virginia, experiences relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. Here is a brief overview:

• Violent Crime Rate: 2.37 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate: 10.95 per 1,000 residents.
• Total Crime Rate: 13.32 per 1,000 residents.

Below is a statistics table illustrating the types of crimes:

These figures reflect the crime data for Clay County, WV, indicating a relatively safe environment but with some concerns in property crimes. Please note that real-time statistics may vary.