Clay County, Kentucky

Clay County, Kentucky
Clay County courthouse in Manchester
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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
Government
 • Judge/ExecutiveTommy Harmon (R)
Area
 • Total
471 sq mi (1,220 km2)
 • Land469 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
20,345
 • Estimate 
(2024)
19,592
 • Density43.4/sq mi (16.7/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.