The Town Files

Clay County, Iowa

16,461 people. The median home is worth $178,600 (typical Iowa town: $156,300) and the median household earns $65,428.

Towns in Clay County

Towns in Clay County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Spencer11,325$184,800$59,66741.4

People and housing

Clay CountyTypical Iowa town
Median home value$178,600$156,300
Median rent$811$820
Median household income$65,428$69,254
Median age42.340.2
Bachelor's degree or higher27.5%21.8%
Below the poverty line11.4%9.3%

Jobs and pay

8,534 jobs in 2024, average pay $53,504 a year.

Largest industries in Clay CountyRetail1,344 jobs · $35,353Manufacturing657 jobs · $60,110Wholesale trade641 jobs · $72,128Hotels & restaurants537 jobs · $22,470Construction477 jobs · $59,725Transportation & warehousing360 jobs · $59,183
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Clay County0%2%4%6%8%2000200420082012201620202023 2.9%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 893 storm events in Clay County from 1996 to 2026, with 2 deaths.

Storm events in Clay County by type since 1996Hail199Flood170Drought46Tornado29Blizzard28High Wind42Flash Flood18Winter Storm41Excessive Heat17Winter Weather98
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Clay County has been included in 21 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
June 24, 2024Severe StormDR-4796: Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes
May 24, 2024Severe StormDR-4784: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding
March 23, 2020BiologicalDR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3480: Covid-19
March 23, 2019FloodDR-4421: Severe Storms And Flooding
August 20, 2018Severe StormDR-4386: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).