Clay County Public RecordsNebraska

Clay County, NE, had approximately 4,600 registered voters in 2022, with Republicans comprising 77%, Democrats 13%, and nonpartisan or others 10%. Elections include federal, state, county, school board, and local issues. In the 2020 presidential election, 79% voted Republican, 19% Democrat. There are 12 polling locations across the county. Recent local issues involved school bonds and agricultural policies. Elections are administered by the Clay County Clerk’s office, ensuring compliance with Nebraska state law. Voter turnout in recent general elections averaged 72%. Major parties are Republican and Democratic, with several nonpartisan local races.

As of the 2020 Census, Clay County, NE, had a population of 6,104. The median age was 42.9 years, with 23.7% under 18 and 20.8% aged 65 or older. The gender distribution was roughly equal, with 50.1% male and 49.9% female. The racial makeup was 94.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 2.6% from other races; 5.6% identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Clay County, NE maintains a low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported 45 total crimes, including 4 violent crimes and 41 property crimes, resulting in a crime rate of approximately 8.2 per 1,000 residents. The sheriff’s office encourages timely crime reporting and community engagement, contributing to high case clearance rates. Overall, residents experience a safer environment, with crime well below Nebraska’s average of 22 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Clay County, NE, features 5 public schools, including 2 high schools, serving about 1,000 students. Around 91% of adults have a high school diploma, while 19% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school test scores rank slightly above the Nebraska state average. School safety is a priority, with low incidence rates reported. Educational programs emphasize STEM and career readiness, along with adult education classes. The student-teacher ratio averages 12:1, supporting personalized instruction.

As of 2022, Clay County, NE had an unemployment rate of 2.0%. Major employment sectors include agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (18%), educational services and health care (23%), and manufacturing (13%). The most common occupations are management (24%), production (12%), and education-related roles (10%). Around 23% of residents work within the county, while 77% commute out, with Hastings (31%) and Grand Island (15%) as top employment destinations. The average commute time is 22 minutes.

Clay County, NE reports a homeownership rate of approximately 78%, with a median home value around $110,000 as of 2023. Median gross rent is about $725 per month. The county’s property values have shown modest annual growth near 2%. Single-family homes dominate the housing stock, interspersed with some multi-family units, across small, close-knit towns like Clay Center, Sutton, and Harvard. Property tax rates average roughly 1.6%. Neighborhoods are typically quiet and family-oriented, reflecting the rural character of the region.