Clay County Demographics

A map of Clay County's Population by Race

Clay County, Nebraska has an estimated population of 6,095, a less than 1% change from the 6,104 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.1% White, 9.7% Hispanic, 2.1% Multiracial, 0.7% Black, 0.3% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Clay County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Clay has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Nebraska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Clay County, that probability was 21.7% in 2020 and 23.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Clay County is ranked the 47th most populous county in Nebraska, out of 93 counties. Clay County was ranked the 47th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Clay County's White Population

5,311 residents of Clay County, or 87.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Clay County is considerably higher than in Nebraska overall, where 75.3% of the population is White. Clay County ranks 63rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Clay County's population has decreased from 88.0% to 87.1%.

Clay County is more White than neighboring Adams County (82.3% White). Clay County is less White than neighboring Nuckolls County (92.6% White), Hamilton County (91.9% White), Fillmore County (92.5% White), and Webster County (88.2% White).

Clay County's Black Population

44 residents of Clay County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Clay County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 4.6% of the population is Black. Clay County ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's Black population has grown by an estimated 450.0%. Black residents' share of Clay County's population has increased from 0.1% to 0.7%.

Clay County is more Black than neighboring Nuckolls County (0.1% Black), Hamilton County (0.2% Black), Fillmore County (0.6% Black), and Webster County (0.2% Black). Clay County is less Black than neighboring Adams County (1.4% Black).

Clay County's Asian Population

2 residents of Clay County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Clay County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Clay County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 80.0%. Asian residents' share of Clay County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Clay County is less Asian than neighboring Hamilton County (0.5% Asian), Adams County (1% Asian), Fillmore County (0.1% Asian), and Webster County (0.8% Asian).

Clay County's Hispanic Population

594 residents of Clay County, or 9.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Clay County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Clay County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Clay County's population has increased from 8.6% to 9.7%.

Clay County is more Hispanic than neighboring Nuckolls County (3.6% Hispanic), Hamilton County (4.3% Hispanic), Fillmore County (3.8% Hispanic), and Webster County (5.8% Hispanic). Clay County is less Hispanic than neighboring Adams County (12.5% Hispanic).

Clay County's Native American/Other Population

18 residents of Clay County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Clay County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Clay County ranks 64th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 33.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Clay County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Clay County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hamilton County (0.2% Native American/Other). Clay County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Nuckolls County (0.4% Native American/Other), Adams County (0.5% Native American/Other), Fillmore County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Webster County (1% Native American/Other).

Clay County's Multiracial Population

126 residents of Clay County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Clay County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Clay County ranks 44th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Clay County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 23.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Clay County's population has decreased from 2.7% to 2.1%.

Clay County is less Multiracial than neighboring Nuckolls County (3.3% Multiracial), Hamilton County (3% Multiracial), Adams County (2.4% Multiracial), Fillmore County (2.5% Multiracial), and Webster County (3.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.