Clay County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clay County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 7,946. It is the 47th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clay County is 45.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clay County is $42,790. This is 26% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $107,100. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Clay County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Clay County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.0%.

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.1%.