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Clay County, KY
2 cities and towns and 4 ZIP codes in Clay County, Kentucky.
Population
19,921
Land area
469sq mi
People per sq mi
42
ZIP codes
4
Cities and towns in Clay County
Clay County at a glance
- Clay County is 63% less dense than Kentucky as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $40,900 a year, 36% less than the Kentucky figure of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $90,700 (56% below Kentucky) and median rent is $724 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Manchester (1,541) and Oneida (49).
Local data for Clay County, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Clay County, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$40,900
Poverty rate
32.4%
Median home value
$90,700
Prices -4.1% in a year
Median rent
$724/mo
Homeownership
76.4%
Bachelor's or higher
15.5%
Median age
40.2
Average commute
29.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,578), German Americans (679), Scottish Americans (444).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
6.0%
Sep 2026, 0.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,346
4,088 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$43,063
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$124M
FY 2026, $6,111 per person
PPP loans
$9.9M
202 loans, 1,713 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$20.9K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Clay County, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone76.0%
- Carpooled11.3%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home9.4%
Average one-way commute: 29.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Clay County, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
404
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
53
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 22°F
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Clay County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Clay County, KY?
- Manchester is the largest city or town in Clay County, with about 1,541 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Clay County?
- Clay County includes 4 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 40914, 40941, 40962, 40972.
- What is the population of Clay County, KY?
- About 19,921 people live in Clay County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Clay County?
- Clay County borders Laurel County, Knox County, Perry County, Bell County, Jackson County, Leslie County, Owsley County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023