Clay County, Indiana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 59th-largest in Indiana

The population of Clay County, Indiana is 26,431 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 59th-largest county in Indiana. The median household income is $67,676, the median home value is $128,900, and the median age is 41.2.

The population of Clay County has declined 1.6% since 2010 (26,863 → 26,424), a -0.12% annualized rate.

Clay County within Indiana · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

26,431

Population

-0.12%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$67,676

Median Income

$128,900

Median Home Value

Clay County covers 358 sq mi of land at 73.9 people per square mile.

About Clay County, IN

Clay County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 15.0% of the population. Clay County is a county in Indiana with a population of 26,431.

The typical household here earns about $67,676, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 7.2%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $128,900, with typical rent around $837.

Degree attainment is on the lower side for US counties: 17.0% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 4.3%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.

Clay County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Clay County had a population of 26,863 in 2010 and 26,424 in 2024, a -1.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 26,863 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.12%.

Clay County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

26,424

Population (2024)

26,863

Population (2010)

26,863

Peak (2010)

-0.12%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	26,863	-	-	estimate
2011	26,847	-16	-0.06%	estimate
2012	26,796	-51	-0.19%	estimate
2013	26,670	-126	-0.47%	estimate
2014	26,439	-231	-0.87%	estimate
2015	26,406	-33	-0.12%	estimate
2016	26,218	-188	-0.71%	estimate
2017	26,176	-42	-0.16%	estimate
2018	26,215	+39	+0.15%	estimate
2019	26,301	+86	+0.33%	estimate
2020	26,427	+126	+0.48%	estimate
2021	26,399	-28	-0.11%	estimate
2022	26,378	-21	-0.08%	estimate
2023	26,419	+41	+0.16%	estimate
2024	26,424	+5	+0.02%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	95.0%
Black or African American	0.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.1%

Age & Sex

41.2

Median Age

50.5%

Female

49.5%

Male

18.5%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.2%

5–9

5.5%

10–14

7.2%

15–19

6.3%

20–24

5.0%

25–34

12.1%

35–44

12.6%

45–54

12.7%

55–59

6.6%

60–64

7.1%

65–74

11.4%

75–84

5.0%

85+

2.1%

Children (under 15): 18.9% · Seniors (65+): 18.5%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$67,676$-2,375 vs state
Mean household income	$91,795
Per-capita income	$36,588
Poverty rate	7.2%-1.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.3%
Employment-to-population	56.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.3%

Manufacturing

22.6%

Retail trade

7.9%

Construction

7.1%

Education & health care

6.5%

Finance & real estate

4.6%

Public administration

4.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.3%

The largest employment sector in Clay County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.2%

Drive alone

1.4%

Carpool

81.4%

Public transit

4.3%

Work from home

29.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$128,900$-72,700 vs state

Median home value

$837

Median rent

77.5%

Homeownership rate

11,648

Total housing units

90.5%

Occupied

9.5%

Vacant

22.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.3%

With health insurance

92.4%

With broadband internet

15.0%

Foreign-born

7.6%

Veterans (18+)

17.7%

With a disability

99.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

90.8%

High School+

17.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Indiana

Indianapolis (882,043)Fort Wayne (266,235)Evansville (116,441)South Bend (102,866)Fishers (100,918)Carmel (100,501)Bloomington (78,791)Hammond (77,098)Noblesville (71,940)Lafayette (70,650)All Indiana cities →

Other counties in Indiana

Marion County (971,822)Lake County (498,990)Allen County (388,791)Hamilton County (357,176)St. Joseph County (272,574)Elkhart County (206,868)Tippecanoe County (187,399)Vanderburgh County (179,908)Hendricks County (179,379)Porter County (174,150)All Indiana counties →

Part of Indiana

Indiana demographic profile All Indiana data →

Metro areas in Indiana

Chicago (9,359,555)Cincinnati (2,255,257)Indianapolis (2,106,327)Louisville/Jefferson County (1,361,847)Fort Wayne (451,440)South Bend (324,180)Evansville (269,721)Lafayette (225,019)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Clay County, Indiana has a population of 26,431 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 59th-largest county in Indiana. Population density is 74 people per square mile.

The population of Clay County has declined 1.6% since 2010 (26,863 → 26,424), a -0.12% annualized rate.

The median household income in Clay County, Indiana is $67,676, with mean (average) household income of $91,795 and per-capita income of $36,588. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Clay County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.0%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%), Black or African American (0.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Clay County, Indiana is 41.2 years. Residents are 50.5% female and 49.5% male.

The median home value in Clay County is $128,900 and median monthly rent is $837. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 11,648 total housing units, 9.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Clay County, Indiana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.

Indianapolis is among the largest cities associated with Clay County, Indiana, with a population of 882,043.