Clay County

Clay County, Texas

Clay County, Texas

The Clay County Leader Newspaper Office in Henrietta, Texas. Photograph by Billy Hathorn.
Clay County, Texas

Clay County, Texas

Map of Clay County, Texas. Map Credit: Robert Plocheck
Clay County, Texas

Clay County, Texas

View of the odl channel of Wichita River in Clay County, Texas.
Photograph Credit: Robert Plocheck.

Clay County is on U.S. highways 287 and 82 on the Red River in north Texas, ninety miles northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The center of the county is at approximately 34°48' north latitude, 98°15' west longitude, near the county seat, Henrietta. The ninety-eighth meridian, which unofficially divides the United States into east and west, runs through the eastern part of the county. The county measures forty-six miles from north to south and twenty-five miles from east to west. The total land area is about 1,150 square miles. The terrain is nearly level to gently sloping. About a third of the county is prime farmland. The flora of most of the county is typical of the Cross Timbers and prairie, with grasses predominating. The northwest corner is in the Rolling Plains vegetation area, with taller grasses, mesquite, and cacti common. Trees, including mesquite, blackjack, post oak, and elm, are scattered throughout the county, but are more numerous along the streams. The elevation varies from 1,100 feet in the southwest to 900 feet in the east. The average rainfall is thirty inches a year. The average annual temperature is 64° F. Temperatures in January range from an average low of 28° F to an average high of 53° and in July from 73° to 98°. The growing season averages 229 days a year, with the last freeze in late March and the first freeze in mid-November. Snowfall averages six inches a year.

Clay County has many streams. The northern edge of the county is formed by the Red River; the Wichita River flows through the center of the county before dividing into two forks and emptying into the Red River. Other major streams include Turkey, Dry Fork, Hay, and East Post Oak creeks. Lake Arrowhead, in the western section of the county, is nine miles long and two miles wide and is used both as a source of water and for recreation. The fauna of Clay County is typical of North Texas, where deer, bobwhite quail, and migratory game birds provide excellent hunting. Mineral deposits in the county include building stone and clays for brick, tile, and ceramics. Oil was discovered near the site of present-day Petrolia in 1901 and has been an important asset to the county's economy, although production declined toward the end of twentieth century.

Continue Reading

Clark Wheeler | © TSHA

Handbook of Texas Logo

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Clay County is classified as a County

Altitude Range

791 ft – 1200 ft

Size

Land area does not include water surface area, whereas total area does

  • Land Area: 1,088.7 mi²
  • Total Area: 1,116.8 mi²

Temperature

January mean minimum: 28.7°F
July mean maximum: 96.6°F

Rainfall, 2019

32.7 inches

Population Count, 2019

10,471

Civilian Labor Count, 2019

4,667

Unemployment, 2019

6.3%

Property Values, 2019

$2,203,771,030 USD

Per-Capita Income, 2019

$42,335 USD

Retail Sales, 2019

$63,851,590 USD

Wages, 2019

$15,656,242 USD

Clay County

Highlighted:
  • Clay County
Loading...
Place Type Population (Year/Source) Currently Exists
Town
Town
Town
Town 289 (2021) Yes
Town
Town
Town 135 (2009) Yes
Town 45 (2009) Yes
Town 453 (2021) Yes
Town
Town 70 (2009) Yes
Town
Town
Town 493 (2021) Yes
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town 3,102 (2021) Yes
Town
Town
Town 10 (2009) Yes
Town
Town
Town 173 (2021) Yes
Town 110 (2009) Yes
Town
Town 250 (2009) Yes
Lake Yes
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town 75 (2009) Yes
Town
Town
Town 516 (2021) Yes
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town 20 (2009) Yes
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town
Town 75 (2009) Yes
Town
Town 70 (2009) Yes
Town
Town
Town
Town

Proud to call Texas home?

Put your name on the town, county, or lake of your choice.


Search Places »