Clay County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.2 | 16,511 people · 62nd most distressed in Iowa
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Clay County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.2 — 2840th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Iowa, it ranks 62nd of 99 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clay County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 40.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 40.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 58
Legal Distress 34.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Structural Poverty 31.5
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Economic Vitality 22.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 22

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy —
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy +5.7
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy +4.3
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy +3.9
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy +3.9
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy -0.4
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy -0.8
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -4.3
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy +0.1
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy -0.1
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy -0.1
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy +0.2
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Clay County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Clay County

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Clay County, Iowa?

    Clay County has a County Distress Index score of 28.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,840th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clay County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clay County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 40.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Clay County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clay County (28.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Emmet County, IA (33.9); Cherokee County, IA (32.5); Buena Vista County, IA (32.2).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Clay County's score of 28.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Clay County's CDI score?

    Clay County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Clay County?

    Clay County, Iowa has a population of approximately 16,511 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.