BACKGROUND
Clay County was formed in 1858 from parts of Braxton, Kanawha, and Nicholas Counties and was named in honor of Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman. We declared out statehood in 1863. The county area is 346.1 square miles. Approximately 10,200 lived in Clay County in 1910 while  the 1990 census indicated a drop in population to 9,983.
The mean annual temperature is 55 degrees and the mean annual snowfall ranges from 22 to 40 inches. The variation is due to mountain terrain. Two thirds of the county lies at elevations of 1000 feet above sea level.
The county seat and ,only municipality, is in the Town of Clay ( formerly known as ‘Clay Courthouse').  It has a Mayor/Council form of government with the Mayor being the Chief Executive Officer. Town Council consists of 5 members, one recorder and the Mayor. It is located 42 miles from the State Capitol, Charleston.

POPULATION
1960 - 11,942
1970 -   9,330
1980 - 11,265
1990 -   9,983
2000 - 10,700
2010 - 10,300

WORK
 There are 2,346 workers living in the county. Of that 1,241 work inside the county while 1016 work in another county and 1.7% ( 40) have jobs in another state.
In the county, the largest employer is the Clay County Board of Education with 300 or so employed. Other major employers include: Laurel Nursing Home- 70; Pierson Lumber - 50; and, County Govt.- 35.

COUNTY GOVT.
A three member county commission trys to govern the county. The voters elect commissioners to a six year term of office. Annually, the members choose one of their members as president. The County Commission has the primary budgetary and administrative responsibility for the operation of county government. The Commission meets the second anf fourth Wed of each month beginning at 10am. Some of the best free entertainment in the county! Bring your own popcorn please.

COMMUNICATIONS
   Clay County is served by two newspapers. The mainstay for information for the county is The Communicator and is published bi weekly. There are no television stations in the county. A small portion of the county is served by one cable TV company.. Telephone service is provided by Frontier Tele. The majority of Clayonians depend on slow poke DSL provided by Frontier Tele.
  Non profit 101.7 FM broadcasts 24/7 and provides local advisories and event updates. Located at #6 Carr Street in downtown Clay., WYAP-LP serves the center of Clayberry.  Non profit 106.7FM covers  the Lizemores section of our humble little county.