Clay County, IL Property Records
Property records in Clay, Illinois document ownership, legal descriptions, parcel boundaries, assessed values, property tax information, deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related land transactions. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, attorneys, real estate professionals, and researchers who need to verify ownership, review tax history, confirm property characteristics, or trace changes in title over time.
Official Clay property records are maintained by Clay County offices, including the County Clerk and Recorder for recorded land documents and the Supervisor of Assessments or Treasurer for assessment and tax information. Users can begin by visiting the county’s official property records resources or contacting the appropriate Clay County office for certified copies, document searches, and current property information.
Clay County, IL Property Records & Statistics
Clay County has one of the most affordable rental markets in the state, with a median rent of $609.50 compared with $762 across Illinois and $840.25 nationally. Homes are inexpensive as well. The median home value is $103,500, below the state's $116,950 and far below the national $173,750. Renter-occupied housing makes up 22.97% of occupied homes, higher than the state's 18.61% and the national 21.81%, so renting plays a bigger role here than in most of Illinois.
The county's median property tax rate is 1.6%, below the state rate of 1.8% but more than double the national 0.74%. Low prices keep the dollar amount of taxes modest, though the rate itself is high by national standards.
Median household income is $61,458, trailing the state's $65,699.50 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 3.11% is above both the state's 2.92% and the national 2.87%, a sign that the local job market is slightly softer than average.
Overall, Clay County combines low rents and low home prices with somewhat lower incomes, a larger rental share, and a modestly weaker labor market than the state and the nation.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Clay
Clay County property records cover assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 15,421 total parcels, including 6,559 residential and 647 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 94.73% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. The Recorder has 20,058 deeds and 10,118 mortgages on file, and valuation data is available for 4,623 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 15,421 |
| Residential Parcels | 6,559 |
| Commercial Parcels | 647 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 94.73% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 20,058 |
| Mortgage Records | 10,118 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 4,623 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Latest Notice of Sale | August 16, 2025 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happened to a mortgage after it was recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a loan from one holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien lifted.
Clay County has 17,595 assignment and release records in total. These include 1,610 assignment documents recorded from January 6, 1974, through August 15, 2025, and 9,974 release documents recorded from January 26, 1998, through September 3, 2025. The county also has 6,011 other documents in this category.
Researchers can use the records to verify that previous mortgages on a property were paid off, follow a loan as it changed lenders, and find liens that could affect a purchase or refinance. The assignment records reach back decades before the releases begin, which can help when examining an older property's financing history.
How to Search Clay County, IL Property Records
Clay County property records are maintained by the County Clerk & Recorder's Office in Louisville. The office records deeds, mortgages, releases, and other land documents, which show ownership, transfers, and loans tied to a property. The county has 15,421 parcels and recorded deeds from January 3, 2006 onward.
The Clay County Clerk & Recorder's Office page explains the office's services and how to request records. To look up recorded documents online, use the Clay County official records search, which lets you search the recording index by name, document type, and date.
Begin by entering the owner's last name, then narrow the results with a document type such as deed or mortgage. Open a result to see the parties, recording date, and legal description. If you know the sale date, a date range will shorten the list considerably.
You can also visit the office at 111 E. Chestnut, Louisville, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or call 618-665-3626 for help finding a record or ordering copies.
Clay Registrar of Deeds
The Clay County Probate Office is located at 111 E. Chestnut, Louisville, IL, 62858 and can be reached at 618-665-3626. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through esearch.cichosting.com or the official website claycountyillinois.org.
Clay County Clerk & Recorder's Office
Clay County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Clay County property records by address?
The Clay County official records search is organized mainly by name and document type. If you only have an address, find the owner on a recent tax bill or deed, then search by that name. You can also call the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 for help matching an address to a recorded document.
How can I find property owners in Clay County?
Look up a name or property in the Clay County official records search and open the latest deed to see the current owner. The county has 20,058 deeds recorded from January 3, 2006 to August 26, 2025. The Clerk & Recorder's Office at 111 E. Chestnut in Louisville can assist in person.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Clay County?
Clay County's tax records cover the 2024 assessment year, last updated September 4, 2025. Valuation data exists for 4,623 properties. To find the assessed value for a specific parcel, call the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 and ask which office keeps the assessment, and have the parcel number or address available.
Where can I find Clay County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills are issued per parcel. To ask about a current bill or confirm a past payment, call the Clay County Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and ask which county office handles collection. The parcel number on a prior bill makes the lookup quicker.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Clay County?
Deeds, mortgages, releases, and assignments are searchable through the Clay County official records search. The county has 20,058 deed records and 10,118 mortgage records from January 2006 forward. Information about the office is on the Clerk & Recorder's page.
Where can I access Clay County parcel maps and GIS information?
Clay County has 15,421 parcels. For a parcel map or GIS data, call the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 and ask which department keeps the current county maps. Treat any parcel map as a locating aid, since only a licensed survey establishes exact property boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Clay County?
Permits and zoning depend on where the property is located. Properties inside a city or village follow that municipality's rules, so contact its office. For land outside city limits, call the County Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 or visit 111 E. Chestnut, Louisville, and ask which county office handles permits and zoning.
How can I create a list of property owners in Clay County?
Online searches return one name or document at a time, so a complete owner list usually requires a request. Contact the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-665-3626 to ask about available bulk records and any fees. For a small area, you can build a list by checking each parcel's recent deed.