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Town Hall · Clay City

Clay City spent more per resident in 2022 than 78% of similar cities

Clay City’s city government spent $669,000 on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, about $745 per resident. Water and other utilities ($490,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$669,000
year to April 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$745
In 2022: $745, more than 78% of 637 similar cities
Long-term debt
$2.1M
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
5
full-time · 8 part-time · March payroll $23,977
Typical tax bill
$1,181
1.42% of home value · IL 2.01%

What stands out about how Clay City is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $745 per resident, more than 78% of 637 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer54% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Clay City Community Unit District 10 with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,181 a year: 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.
Compared with similar places

$745 per resident in 2022: more than 78% of them

Clay City’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($745 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $501, and the middle half spent $342–$713. Clay City spent more than 78% of them.

Middle half of the group, $342–$713Median $501Clay City

Includes sewer and trash ($158,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
637

Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Clay City itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $745 per resident a year, or $2.04 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 32%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 36%Utility sales 32%Fees & charges 13%Property taxes 9%Interest, fines & other 8%Sales taxes 1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $88,000; interest on debt $61,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.3 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Clay City reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,181 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Illinois$5,298
Clay City$1,181
$1,181
typical bill a year
1.42%
effective rate
$83,200
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Clay City’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Clay City’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Clay City →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Clay City

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Clay City’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Clay City yet.
Who works for Clay City

One full-time city employee for every 180 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (898).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings2 + 8 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections1
Other2
5
full-time
8
part-time
$23,977
payroll for March 2022
$287,724
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$53,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Clay City had 5.6 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 472 of the 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.1: Clay City had more than 79% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Clay City Community Unit District 10

Clay City’s K–12 school district, shared with Sailor Springs, Clay City Township, Zif Township, Pixley Township, Stanford Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Clay City →
$18,717
per pupil · IL $21,567
244
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $18,717 per pupil, $10,570 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 35%State 53%Federal 12%

Illinois districts overall: 52% local, 38% state, 10% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Clay City’s votes are counted by county

Illinois reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Clay City alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Clay County’s results.

President · Clay County’s results6,781 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican82.7%5,610 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat15.5%1,054 votes

Others: 1.7% (117 votes).

Most votes in Clay County: Donald J Trump

Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%

The county’s page

100% of Clay City lies in Clay County. Every 2024 race in Clay County is on the county’s page.

Clay County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Clay City

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Clay City.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Illinois HouseState representatives
    Blaine Wilhour
  3. 3
    Illinois SenateState senator
    Jason Plummer
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    J. B. Pritzker
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Mike Bost
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Illinois
    Richard J. DurbinTammy Duckworth

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Clay City’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Clay City’s government

How much does Clay City spend per resident?

About $745 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $745 was more than 78% of 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Clay City?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,181 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.42% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Clay City’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Clay City yet.

How did Clay City vote in 2024?

Illinois counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Clay City alone. Clay County, where 100% of Clay City lies, voted Trump 82.7%, Harris 15.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Clay City?

5 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $23,977 (about $287,724 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Clay City in the state legislature?

State Senate District 55 (Jason Plummer) and State House District 110 (Blaine Wilhour). The House district also covers 118 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Clay City’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →