Clay County, Iowa Housing Market
In Clay County, Iowa, the median home value is $178,600, with a median monthly rent of $811. This places Clay County at #1657 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #33 within Iowa.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,036
- Establishments: 664
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 14
- Multi-family: 47
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 7,062 (avg $79,514)
- Outflow: 6,593 (avg $81,142)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in Clay County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51301 | 202.5 | -0.97% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
🔗 Explore Clay County on Our Sister Sites
Get the complete picture for Clay County — financing options and ongoing ownership costs.
💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Clay County Compares
| Metric | Clay County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $178,600 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $811 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 73.3% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 18.4 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Clay County is 4.4% above the Iowa state average and 21.6% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $811/month is 2.5% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 18.4, the buy-vs-rent decision in Clay County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Clay County has an owner-occupancy rate of 73.3%, compared to 75.8% in Iowa and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | Tennessee | $178,600 | $674 |
| Richmond County | Georgia | $178,500 | $1,141 |
| Wayne County | Michigan | $178,500 | $1,132 |
| Montgomery County | Missouri | $178,700 | $788 |
| Wayne County | North Carolina | $178,700 | $965 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County | $177,900 | $764 | 79.6% |
| Guthrie County | $180,100 | $845 | 84.0% |
| Carroll County | $176,000 | $731 | 77.1% |
| Harrison County | $176,000 | $849 | 77.1% |
| Buchanan County | $176,000 | $848 | 82.1% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).