Clay County, Kentucky

Clay County
Clay County courthouse in Manchester
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°10′N 83°43′W / 37.16°N 83.71°W / 37.16; -83.71
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1807
Named afterGreen Clay
SeatManchester
Largest cityManchester
Area
  Total
471 sq mi (1,220 km2)
  Land469 sq mi (1,210 km2)
  Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
20,345
  Estimate 
(2024)
19,592
  Density43/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websiteclaycounty.ky.gov

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 20,345. Clay County is included in the Corbin, Kentucky micropolitan area.

. Its county seat is Manchester. The county was formed in 1807 and named in honor of Green Clay (1757–1826). Clay was a member of the Virginia and Kentucky State legislatures, first cousin once removed of Henry Clay, U.S. Senator from Kentucky and Secretary of State in the 19th century.