Living in Clay, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Clay · Census data 2020–2024
Clay has 378 residents with a median age of 30.4. The median home value is $44,300, the median rent is $665/month.
Clay is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Clay at a glance
- Population
- 378
- Median age
- 30.4State: 42.7
- Median home value
- $44,300State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $665/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 22.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 3.9%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Clay a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: A poverty rate of 77.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Clay
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Clay the median home value is $44,300, 87% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $665 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $767 a month in housing costs.
Housing in Clay: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 282
- Owner-occupied
- 22.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 77.6%
- Vacant
- 46.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.45
46.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Clay has many vacation and second homes.
Clay demographics
- Population
- 378
- Median age
- 30.4
- Under 18
- 38.4%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 152
- Foreign-born
- 0.5%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Clay ›
Education in Clay
3.9% of adults 25 and older in Clay have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 3.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Clay
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 3.2%
- Drive alone
- 67.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 16.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.9%
Clay vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | 378 | — | $44,300 | $665 |
| Clendenin | 903 | $69,583 | $116,300 | $820 |
| Summersville | 3,373 | $56,571 | $230,000 | $395 |
| Elkview | 671 | $69,858 | $125,000 | — |
| Gauley Bridge | 413 | $25,625 | $66,500 | $472 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | $221,500 | $916 |
| Gassaway | 688 | $33,500 | $94,400 | $463 |
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | $68,700 | $988 |
| Tioga | 577 | $86,056 | — | — |
More for people moving to Clay
Clay ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Clay: FAQ
What is the average home price in Clay?
The median home value in Clay is $44,300, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Clay?
The median gross rent in Clay is $665 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Clay, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: a poverty rate of 77.8%.
What is the median age in Clay?
The median age in Clay is 30.4 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Clay?
The average commute to work in Clay is 23 minutes; 3.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Clay?
The unemployment rate in Clay is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Clay?
3.9% of adults in Clay have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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