Special Interest
Housing in Clay County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Clay County averages $804/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the North Carolina median of $1,228 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 20% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Clay County FMR Area are $1,064 for a studio, $1,149 for 1‑bedroom, $1,259 for 2‑bedroom, $1,732 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,892 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $455 increase for a 2-bedroom in Clay County shows a 57% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Clay County was 3.3% in 2024, compared to North Carolina at 3.6% and the national rate of 4.0%.
