Clay County Population Highlights

• From 1990 to 2000, Clay County gained 351 residents, which was a 2.7% increase in its total population. 

• From 1990 to 2000, Clay County lost 182 residents to out-migration, which was a 1.4% decrease in its total population.

• From 1990 to 2000, Clay County had 522 more births than deaths.

• 18.81% of Clay County’s residents are under the age of 18, while 10.08% are aged 65+. 

• Clay County’s median age is 24.9.  This is younger than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• Clay County’s sex ratio is 94.27, meaning there are about 94 males for every 100 females.  This is lower than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• Clay County’s fertility rate is 37.1 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44.  This is lower than both Union and Yankton counties, possibly because college-aged women tend to delay childbearing.

• Clay County has the highest percentage of “other” households, including cohabitating couples in the state of South Dakota. 

Race/Ethnicity in Clay County

Clay County Agriculture in 2002

• Clay County had 536 farms which was an 11.7% increase from 1997.

• Clay County’s average farm size is 541 acres, which is larger than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• Clay County’s average net farm income was $52,651, which was lower than Union and Yankton counties. 

Clay County Economics in 2000

• Clay County’s per capita income was $14,452, which was lower than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• Clay County’s median household income was $27,535, which was lower than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• 38.7% of Clay County’s residents aged 25+ had received a B.S. degree or higher.  This is higher than both Union and Yankton counties. 

• 4.22% of Clay County’s residents are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 5.48% for Union County, and 9.60% for Yankton County.

• 27.07% of Clay County’s children under 5 are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 19.77% for the state of South Dakota, 7.02% for Union County, and 16.94% for Yankton County. 

• 14.9% of people working in Clay County commute in from another county, which is lower than both Union and Yankton counties.   

Clay County Employment by Industry

Income Distribution

Data compiled by:

W. Trevor Brooks

Rural Life and Census Data Center

South Dakota State University

Sources:

South Dakota Data Center (Vermillion, SD)

South Dakota Labor Market

U.S. Census of Agriculture (2002)

U.S. Census Bureau (2000)