Clay County, Indiana
According to countryaah.com, Clay County, Indiana is located in the west-central portion of the state and has a population of 26,000 people. It is bordered by Owen County to the north, Putnam County to the east, Vigo County to the south, and Parke County to the west. The county seat is located in Brazil and other major cities include Carbon, Center Point and Knightsville.
The county is home to an abundance of natural resources such as timberland, coal mines, and oil fields. Clay County also contains several large bodies of water including Lake Santee which provides recreational activities for locals and visitors alike.
Clay County has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1825 when it was carved from Owen and Vigo counties. In its early days it was home to many settlers who were drawn by its plentiful resources and fertile farmland. These settlers established several small towns throughout the county including Carbon, Staunton, Knightsville and Harmony which remain today as vibrant communities with unique local cultures.
Today, Clay County remains largely rural with most of its population living in small towns or rural areas. Agriculture is still an important part of life here with corn being one of the main crops grown in addition to soybeans, wheat and hay. Livestock production is also a major industry with beef cattle being one of the most popular types raised here.
In addition to its rural setting Clay County offers plenty of recreational opportunities such as fishing at Lake Santee or camping at one of many state parks located within the county borders. It also contains numerous historical sites such as The Old Union Church which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during slavery days or The Cataract Falls which were once used for hydroelectric power by early settlers.
Clay County provides an idyllic setting for those looking for an escape from city life while still providing plenty of activities that can be enjoyed both indoors and out.
History of Clay County, Indiana
Clay County, Indiana has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1825, when it was carved from Owen and Vigo counties. The county was named after Henry Clay, a Kentucky politician, who had recently passed away. At the time of its founding, the area was largely unsettled and the population of Clay County was mainly comprised of Native Americans.
The first settlers to arrive in Clay County were primarily from neighboring states such as Ohio and Kentucky. These settlers were drawn to the area by its abundant natural resources and fertile farmland which made it ideal for farming and ranching. As more settlers moved into the county, small towns began to spring up throughout the area including Carbon, Staunton, Knightsville and Harmony.
In addition to farming and ranching, other industries began to flourish in Clay County during this time period including coal mining, timber harvesting and oil drilling. By the late 19th century these industries had become major contributors to the economy of Clay County. During this same period many churches were also established throughout the county including The Old Union Church which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during slavery days.
By 1900 Clay County had become a prosperous agricultural center with corn being one of its main crops along with soybeans, wheat and hay. Livestock production was also an important part of life here with beef cattle being one of the most popular types raised in the region. In addition to agriculture there were several other businesses operating in Clay County at this time including sawmills, grain elevators and furniture factories which provided employment opportunities for local residents.
During this same period recreational activities began to grow in popularity with locals taking advantage of nearby lakes such as Lake Santee for fishing or camping at one of many state parks located within county borders such as Cataract Falls or Turkey Run State Park. Other popular activities included hunting trips or visiting nearby historical sites such as The Old Union Church or The Cataract Falls which were once used for hydroelectric power by early settlers.
Today, Clay County remains largely rural with most of its population living in small towns or rural areas but it continues to offer plenty of recreational opportunities both indoors and out. From fishing at Lake Santee or camping at one of many state parks located within county borders to visiting historical sites such as The Old Union Church or The Cataract Falls there is something for everyone here.
Major cities and towns in Clay County, Indiana
Clay County, Indiana is a largely rural county located in the west-central part of the state. It is home to several small towns and cities, each offering something unique for visitors and locals alike.
The largest city in Clay County is Brazil, Indiana. This city has a population of 7,912 people and has been around since 1866 when it was founded by the first settlers to move into the area. Brazil is known for its many parks and recreational activities such as the Forest Park Nature Center which features a variety of wildlife exhibits as well as several hiking trails. The city also hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration that includes fireworks and live music performances.
Knightsville is another small town in Clay County with a population of 1,062 people. The town was founded in 1847 by Johnathan Knight who was one of the first settlers to move into Clay County from North Carolina. Knightsville is known for its quaint downtown area with several local shops, restaurants, and businesses that make it a great place to visit or live in Clay County.
Staunton is another small town located in Clay County with a population of 895 people. Staunton was established as an agricultural community in 1856 by William Staunton who named it after himself. Today, Staunton offers visitors plenty of activities such as camping at nearby Turkey Run State Park or visiting their local museum which features artifacts from Staunton’s past including old photographs and documents from its early days as an agricultural community.
Harmony is yet another small town located in Clay County with a population of 635 people as per the 2010 census report. This town was founded in 1839 by James Monroe who named it after his daughter Harmony Monroe who had died at only one year old due to illness shortly before he moved into the area with his family from North Carolina. Today, Harmony still offers plenty of recreational activities such as fishing on nearby Lake Santee or visiting their local historic sites including The Old Union Church which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during slavery days or The Cataract Falls which were once used for hydroelectric power by early settlers.
Finally, Carbon is yet another small town located within Clay County with a population of 559 people according to the 2010 census report. Carbon dates back to 1853 when it was first established by John Carbon who named it after himself but today this quaint little town offers visitors plenty of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing on nearby Lake Santee or camping at Cataract Falls State Park where visitors can enjoy stunning views while they explore the area’s natural beauty.
Population in Clay County, Indiana
According to Act-Test-Centers, Clay County is located in the southwestern region of Indiana and is part of the Wabash Valley region. As of 2019, Clay County’s population was estimated at 26,741 people. The county seat is Brazil and the largest city in Clay County is Brazil with a population of 8,000 people. The population of Clay County has been steadily increasing since 2000 when it was recorded at 24,694 people.
The racial makeup of Clay County is 96.3% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.5% from other races and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 2.0%. The median age in Clay County was 41 years old with 25% under 18 years old and 13% over 65 years old compared to the state median age of 38 years old with 24% under 18 and 13 % over 65 years old.
The median household income for Clay County was $45,812 compared to the state median income of $52,214 in 2018 according to data from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates program for 2018-2022 estimates period released December 2019. Additionally, 19 percent of households had an income below $25K compared to 15 percent for Indiana as a whole in 2018 according to US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates program for the 2018-2022 estimates period released in December 2019.
In terms of educational attainment for those aged 25+ living in Clay County in 2018 according to US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates program for the 2018-2022 estimates period released in December 2019, 79 percent had at least a high school diploma or equivalent while 19 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 89 percent and 28 percent respectively for Indiana overall during this same time frame.
