Clay County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.8 | 7,714 people · 68th most distressed in Tennessee
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Clay County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.8 — 1285th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Tennessee, it ranks 68th of 95 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clay County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 84.6 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 84.6
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 89
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 90
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 82
Economic Vitality 67.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 73
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 66.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Consumer Credit Distress 58.4
Debt in Collections 59
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 55
Housing Cost Burden 20.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Clay County, TN 54.8 Elevated —
Clinton County, KY 67.8 Serious +12.9
Macon County, TN 64.4 Elevated +9.5
Jackson County, TN 61.0 Elevated +6.2
Cumberland County, KY 56.6 Elevated +1.8
Monroe County, KY 54.5 Elevated -0.4
Overton County, TN 52.4 Elevated -2.4
Pickett County, TN 46.4 Normal -8.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Calhoun County, WV 54.8 Elevated 0.0
Perry County, TN 54.8 Elevated +0.0
Wheeler County, TX 54.9 Elevated +0.1
Nowata County, OK 54.7 Elevated -0.1
Kinney County, TX 55.1 Elevated +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clay County

Find an Attorney

Tennessee Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Tennessee Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 615-383-7421

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Clay County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands 615-244-6610 (Nashville); 1-888-244-6610 (statewide hotline)
West Tennessee Legal Services 731-423-0616
Legal Services of South Central Tennessee 931-381-5533
Tennessee Justice Center 615-255-0331
Appalachian Regional Commission — East Tennessee Legal Aid 865-674-0260
Legal Aid of East Tennessee (865) 637-0484

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Clay County has a County Distress Index score of 54.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,285th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clay County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clay County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 84.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Clay County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clay County (54.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clinton County, KY (67.8); Macon County, TN (64.4); Jackson County, TN (61.0).

  • 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 Elevated 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 54.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • 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, Tennessee has a population of approximately 7,714 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.