Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 10, 2026
Map of Clay County - Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. Clay County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Clay County located in the map, major cities in Clay county, population, areas, and places of interest.
Clay County Map, Iowa
About Clay County Map, Iowa: The map showing the county boundary, county seat, major cities, highways, water bodies and neighbouring counties.
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Map of Clay County, Iowa
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It's county seat is Spencer. As per 2020 census, the population of Clay County is 16440 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 sq mi (1,474 km2). Clay County was established on -17881.
Clay County Facts
| Continent | North America |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County Seat | Spencer |
| Largest City/Town | Spencer |
| Established | January 15, 1851 |
| Total Area | 573 sq mi (1,484 sq km) |
| Land Area | 568 sq mi (1,471 sq km) |
| Water Area | 5 sq mi (13 sq km) |
| Population | 16,384 (Census 2020) |
| Population Density | 28.8 people per sq mi |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Major Highways | U.S. Highway 18, U.S. Highway 71, Iowa Highway 10 |
| Major Rivers | Little Sioux River, Ocheyedan River |
| Neighboring Counties | Dickinson County, Emmet County, Palo Alto County, Buena Vista County, O'Brien County, Cherokee County |
| Famous For | Spencer, Clay County Fair, Little Sioux River, agriculture, outdoor recreation |
| Top Attractions | Clay County Fairgrounds, Spencer Municipal Golf Course, Little Sioux River Trail, Riverview Park |
| Official Website | Official Website |
About Clay County, Iowa
Clay County is located in northwestern Iowa and was established in 1851. The county seat is Spencer, which is also the largest city. The county is widely known for hosting the Clay County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the United States. Rich farmland, scenic river corridors, and a strong agricultural economy make Clay County an important part of Iowa's agricultural region.
Cities and Towns in Clay County, Iowa
| City Name | Type | Population (2020) | Pop. Density | Area | Incorporated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postville | 2.11 sq mi (5.5 km2) | March 17, 1873 | |||
| Clay City | Village | 847 | 475.3/sq mi (183.5/km2) | 1.782 sq mi (4.62 km2) | |
| Flora | City | 4,803 | 1,024.1/sq mi (395.4/km2) | 4.69 sq mi (12.15 km2) | |
| Iola | Village | 98 | 101.7/sq mi (39.3/km2) | 0.964 sq mi (2.5 km2) | |
| Louisville | Village | 1,136 | 1,372.0/sq mi (529.7/km2) | 0.828 sq mi (2.14 km2) | |
| Sailor Springs | Village | 89 | 342.3/sq mi (132.2/km2) | 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) | |
| Xenia | Village | 380 | 770.8/sq mi (297.6/km2) | 0.493 sq mi (1.28 km2) | |
| Dickens | 0.84 sq mi (2.2 km2) | April 7, 1909 | |||
| Everly | 1.09 sq mi (2.8 km2) | April 7, 1902 | |||
| Fostoria | 0.47 sq mi (1.2 km2) | January 30, 1912 | |||
| Gillett Grove | 0.19 sq mi (0.49 km2) | August 29, 1974 | |||
| Greenville | 0.18 sq mi (0.47 km2) | December 30, 1916 | |||
| Peterson | 0.31 sq mi (0.8 km2) | November 12, 1886 | |||
| Rossie | 0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2) | August 30, 1922 | |||
| Royal | 0.3 sq mi (0.78 km2) | August 30, 1910 | |||
| Spencer | 11.01 sq mi (28.5 km2) | July 13, 1892 | |||
| Webb | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) | April 9, 1901 | |||
| Clayton | 0.49 sq mi (1.3 km2) | November 23, 1901 | |||
| Elkader | 1.39 sq mi (3.6 km2) | May 1, 1900 | |||
| Elkport | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) | February 24, 1896 | |||
| Farmersburg | 0.4 sq mi (1 km2) | June 1, 1902 | |||
| Garber | 0.23 sq mi (0.6 km2) | November 18, 1907 | |||
| Garnavillo | 1.02 sq mi (2.6 km2) | November 21, 1907 | |||
| Guttenberg | 2.09 sq mi (5.4 km2) | January 27, 1857 | |||
| Luana | 1.05 sq mi (2.7 km2) | May 29, 1911 | |||
| Marquette | 1.74 sq mi (4.5 km2) | June 2, 1874 | |||
| McGregor | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km2) | March 7, 1859 | |||
| Monona | 1.17 sq mi (3 km2) | May 11, 1897 | |||
| North Buena Vista | 1 sq mi (2.6 km2) | October 25, 1907 | |||
| Osterdock | 0.46 sq mi (1.2 km2) | April 16, 1904 | |||
| St. Olaf | 0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2) | May 31, 1900 | |||
| Strawberry Point | 2.11 sq mi (5.5 km2) | December 19, 1887 | |||
| Volga | 0.78 sq mi (2 km2) | October 16, 1895 | |||
| Edgewood | 0.85 sq mi (2.2 km2) | April 6, 1899 |
Best Golf Courses in Clay County, Iowa
| Golf Course | Location | Latitude & Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Golf & Country Club | Spencer | 43.1507°N, 95.1615°W |
| Spencer Municipal Golf Course | Spencer | 43.1326°N, 95.1592°W |
| Little Sioux Golf & Country Club | Spencer | 43.1214°N, 95.1748°W |
What are Major Roads and Highways in Clay County
Major highways connect the county to nearby regions and cities.
- U.S. Highway 18 - major east-west route connecting Spencer with Sioux City, Mason City and neighboring counties
- U.S. Highway 71 - north-south corridor linking Spencer with the Iowa Great Lakes region and central Iowa
- Iowa Highway 10 - provides access across northern Clay County and connects local communities
Neighboring Counties of Clay County
- Dickinson County (northwest)
- Emmet County (north)
- Palo Alto County (east)
- Buena Vista County (south)
- Cherokee County (southwest)
- O'Brien County (west)
What are Top Attractions in Clay County, Iowa
The county offers a mix of natural and cultural attractions.
| Main Sight Name | City | Famous For |
|---|---|---|
| Clay County Fairgrounds | Spencer | Home of the world-famous Clay County Fair |
| Riverview Park | Spencer | Little Sioux River recreation and walking trails |
| Clay County Heritage Center | Spencer | Regional history museum and exhibits |
| Spencer Municipal Golf Course | Spencer | Public golf and outdoor recreation |
| Little Sioux River Trail | Spencer | Walking, cycling and scenic river views |
| Arts on Grand | Spencer | Regional art gallery and cultural center |
| Parker Historical Museum | Spencer | Historic collections and community heritage |
| Oneota Park | Spencer | Sports facilities and family recreation |
| Peterson Heritage Museum | Peterson | Local pioneer history and exhibits |
| Royal City Park | Royal | Community recreation and local events |
| Ocheyedan River Corridor | Countywide | Wildlife viewing and natural landscapes |
| Everly Community Center Area | Everly | Community events and local heritage |
Distance from Clay County to Nearby Cities
The following distances are measured by road (driving).
- Spencer to Spirit Lake (Dickinson County), Iowa - 19 mi (31 km)
- Spencer to Estherville (Emmet County), Iowa - 31 mi (50 km)
- Spencer to Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County), Iowa - 29 mi (47 km)
- Spencer to Storm Lake (Buena Vista County), Iowa - 30 mi (48 km)
- Spencer to Cherokee (Cherokee County), Iowa - 39 mi (63 km)
- Spencer to Primghar (O'Brien County), Iowa - 23 mi (37 km)
- Spencer to Le Mars (Plymouth County), Iowa - 57 mi (92 km)
- Spencer to Fort Dodge (Webster County), Iowa - 88 mi (142 km)
- Spencer to Sioux City (Woodbury County), Iowa - 79 mi (127 km)
- Spencer to Mason City (Cerro Gordo County), Iowa - 109 mi (175 km)
- Spencer to Ames (Story County), Iowa - 136 mi (219 km)
- Spencer to Des Moines (Polk County), Iowa - 165 mi (266 km)
- Spencer to Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 92 mi (148 km)
- Spencer to Omaha, Nebraska - 143 mi (230 km)
- Spencer to Minneapolis, Minnesota - 214 mi (344 km)
Nearest Airports
Nearest airport of Clay is Spencer Municipal Airport.
References
- QuickFacts - U.S. Census Bureau
- United States Census Bureau
- United States Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Geodetic Survey
- Official County Website
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