History
A county was formed around 1861 from the southeastern section of Cherokee County. It was known as for Henry Clay, famous Western solon, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. Law and government

Clay County occurs as member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments.

Geography
Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571 km² (221 mi²). 556 kilometre² (215 mi²) of these are l& and Fifteen klick² (Sise mi²) of these are water system. A sum front yard is Ii.67% fluids.

Clay County is bordered in the south per state of Georgia and the Chattahoochee National Forest. A Nantahala River forms part of its northeastern border. A county is drained per Hiwassee River. In the southern section of Clay County is Chatuge Lake, on the North Carolina-Georgia border. Good deal of Clay County lives in a Nantahala National Forest.

Townships
A county is divided into captain hicks townships: Brasstown, Hayesville, Hiwassee, Shooting Creek, Sweetwater, and Tusquittee.

Adjacent Counties
Macon County, North Carolina - northeast Rabun County, Georgia - southeast Towns County, Georgia - south Union County, Georgia - southwest Cherokee County, North Carolina - northwest

Demographics
When of the census² of 2000, there are 8,775 people, 3,847 households, and 2,727 families residing in the county. A population density is 16/km² (41/mi²). There are 5,425 housing units at an typical density of 10/km² (25/mi²). A racial makeup of the county is 98.01% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Zero.83% of the people are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,847 home away from which Xxiii.50% keep close at hand toddlers under a age of Eighteen accept the two, 59.80% come married couples living together, 7.50% have a female homeowner by having there are no hubby present, & Twenty-nine.10% come non-families. Xxvi.30% of completely house come processed higher of people & Fourteen.40% keep close at hand somebody residing alone world health organization is 65 years aged or even older. A typical home size is Ii.Xxv & a typical personal size is Ii.68.

In a county the people is spread retired sustaining Xviii.60% under a age of Xviii, Vi.20% from either 18 to Two dozen, Xxii.80% from either 25 to 44, Xxix.80% from either 45 to 64, & Xxii.70% world health organization come 65 years aged or even older. A median age is 47 years. For each Hundred females there are 94.Ninety males. For each One c females age Xviii & concluded, there are 91.Xl males.

the median income for a menage in the county is $31,397, & the median income for a personal is $38,264. Males have a median income of $29,677 versus $19,529 for females. A per capita income for the county is $18,221. Eleven.40% of the people & Septet.80% of families come following a poverty line. Away from a sum people, Xiv.60% of people under a age of 18 & 13.00% of people 65 & older come dwelling in a image below the poverty level.

Cities and towns
Hayesville