Clay County, NE Property Records
Property records in Clay, Nebraska provide official information about real estate ownership, parcel boundaries, assessed values, tax history, legal descriptions, transfers, and related land documents. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, review valuation details, estimate tax obligations, or examine the history of a parcel.
Official Clay property records are maintained by local county offices, including the Clay County Assessor for assessment and parcel information and the County Clerk/Register of Deeds for recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages. Users can begin their search through the county’s official website, including the Clay County Assessor’s property records page, where guidance and contact information are available for accessing current property data. For certified copies or detailed recorded instruments, contacting the appropriate Clay County office directly is recommended.
Clay County, NE Property Records & Statistics
Clay County has a median rent of $669, below both the Nebraska median of $734 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing is 18.35% of occupied homes, under the state's 21.72% and the national 21.81%, so owner-occupied housing dominates the local market.
The median home value of $122,200 is below the state median of $130,200 and well below the national $173,750. The median property tax rate is 1.41%, above Nebraska's 1.28% and nearly double the national 0.74%, so ownership costs run higher than home prices alone would suggest.
Household income is a strong point. The county's median household income of $74,653 is higher than the state's $64,083 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 1.02% is below the state's 1.38% and far below the national 2.87%.
Overall, the figures describe an affordable county with low rents and home values, above-average incomes, low unemployment, a mostly owner-occupied housing market, and property tax rates that are higher than average.
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 include tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 7,624 total parcels, with 3,526 residential and 409 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 92.52% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 8,934 deeds and 4,701 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 2,067 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 7,624 |
| Residential Parcels | 3,526 |
| Commercial Parcels | 409 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 92.52% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 8,934 |
| Mortgage Records | 4,701 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 2,067 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 168 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a loan from one lender or holder to another, and a release shows the loan was paid off and the lien removed.
Clay County has 1,282 assignment and release records. They include 65 assignment documents recorded from April 18, 2022, to August 28, 2025, and 1,217 release documents recorded from December 2, 2020, to August 28, 2025.
These records help owners, buyers, and researchers confirm that earlier mortgages were satisfied and follow a loan as it moved between lenders, which is useful before a sale or refinance. You can search recorded documents through the Nebraska Deeds Online search for Clay County.
How to Search Clay County, NE Property Records
Clay County keeps property records covering 7,624 parcels, plus recorded deeds, mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure filings. Recorded documents are handled by the Clay County Register of Deeds in Clay Center.
To search deeds, mortgages, releases, and other instruments online, use the Nebraska Deeds Online search for Clay County. For office details, services, and recording information, visit the Clay County Register of Deeds page.
The office is at 111 W Fairfield St, Clay Center, NE 68933, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 402-762-3463 with questions about recorded documents or copies.
To search, collect the property address, owner name, or any document details. Enter the most complete information you have, review the results by date and document type, and open the matching record. If something doesn't appear online, contact the office for help.
Clay Registrar of Deeds
The Clay County Probate Office is located at 111 W Fairfield St, Clay Center, NE, 68933 and can be reached at 402-762-3463. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through nebraskadeedsonline.us or the official website claycounty.ne.gov.
Clay County Register of Deeds
Clay County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Clay County property records by address?
Start at the Clay County Register of Deeds page and search recorded documents through Nebraska Deeds Online. If an address doesn't return a match, try the owner's name or call 402-762-3463.
How can I find property owners in Clay County?
Recorded deeds list owners. Search Nebraska Deeds Online for Clay County by name or document details and open the latest deed for the parcel. The Register of Deeds at 111 W Fairfield St, Clay Center, can also help on weekdays.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Clay County?
Clay County's tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year, with the assessor's latest update on February 24, 2025. For a specific parcel, call 402-762-3463 to be directed to the assessment office, or see the Nebraska Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division.
Where can I find Clay County property tax bills and payment records?
Nebraska property taxes are collected by the county treasurer. Call the Clay County courthouse in Clay Center at 402-762-3463 and ask for the Treasurer's office to learn about current bills, payment options, and past payment records for a parcel.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Clay County?
Search deeds, mortgages, and releases through Nebraska Deeds Online for Clay County. Deed records run from January 3, 2006, to August 14, 2025. The Register of Deeds at 111 W Fairfield St can provide copies, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Where can I access Clay County parcel maps and GIS information?
Clay County has 7,624 parcels. Call the Register of Deeds at 402-762-3463 to ask which county office maintains parcel maps and GIS layers, or visit the courthouse at 111 W Fairfield St, Clay Center, during weekday hours.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Clay County?
Permits and zoning are handled by county or city planning offices. Call the Clay County courthouse at 402-762-3463 for direction to the right department, and if the property is inside a city or village, check with that municipality about its own rules.
How can I create a list of property owners in Clay County?
Online tools support single-property lookups. Use Nebraska Deeds Online to review owners from recorded deeds, and for bulk or larger requests, call the Clay County Register of Deeds at 402-762-3463 to ask what is available.