Clay County, SD Property Records
Property records in Clay, South Dakota, document important information about real estate ownership, transfers, legal descriptions, parcel boundaries, mortgages, liens, plats, and related filings. These records are useful for verifying ownership, researching property history, confirming legal descriptions, reviewing recorded documents, and supporting real estate transactions, title searches, or local tax and assessment inquiries.
Official Clay property records are maintained by Clay County offices, including the Register of Deeds for recorded land documents and county assessment offices for valuation and parcel information. Users can access official resources through the county’s website, including the Clay County Register of Deeds, where residents, buyers, researchers, and professionals can find guidance on recorded property documents and related services.
Clay County, SD Property Records & Statistics
Clay County has a median rent of $794.50, noticeably above the South Dakota median of $708, though still below the national median of $840.25. Renting is a major part of the local market. 35.41% of occupied homes are renter-occupied, far above the state share of 21.46% and the national share of 21.81%, a pattern typical of a college community.
The median home value is $176,500, higher than the state figure of $137,075 and slightly above the national figure of $173,750. Property taxes are also on the higher side: the county's median rate of 1.29% exceeds the state rate of 1.09% and the national rate of 0.74%. Owners therefore pay more for housing, both in purchase price and in annual tax cost, than in much of the state.
Median household income is $65,521, a bit below the state median of $65,677.25 but above the national median of $65,108, so local earnings are in line with both benchmarks. The unemployment rate of 2.53% is higher than the state rate of 1.72% and lower than the national rate of 2.87%.
In short, the figures describe a relatively costly South Dakota market with high home values, higher taxes, a large rental sector, and income and employment levels close to the averages.
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 span tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure notices. The county has 9,194 total parcels, with tax records covering 94.46% of the population for the 2025 assessment year, plus 9,425 deed records and 9,318 mortgage records recorded through August 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 9,194 |
| Residential Parcels | 4,656 |
| Commercial Parcels | 671 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 94.46% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 9,425 |
| Mortgage Records | 9,318 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 3,073 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 13 |
How to Search Clay County, SD Property Records
Clay County keeps its recorded property documents with the Register of Deeds Office at 211 W Main in Vermillion, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Together with assessment data for the county's 9,194 parcels, these records include owner names, deeds, mortgages, and related filings.
The county's Clay County Register of Deeds page is the best place to learn about the office, its services, and recording requirements. To search recorded documents online, use the South Dakota Public Index records search, the official records search for Clay County. Deeds on file run from January 3, 2006 to August 22, 2025, and mortgages from January 4, 2006 to August 21, 2025.
To search, gather the owner name, property address, or document details you already have. Enter them in the search portal, narrow the results by date range if there are many matches, and open each document to confirm the parties and the property description. Compare what you find with the details you are researching, such as the previous owner or the date of a sale.
If you cannot locate a document online, call the Register of Deeds at 605-677-7130 or visit in person. Staff can explain how to request copies and what recording involves.
Clay Registrar of Deeds
The Clay County Probate Office is located at 211 W Main, Vermillion, SD, 57069 and can be reached at 605-677-7130. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through southdakota.thepublicindex.org or the official website claycountysd.org.
Clay County Register of Deeds Office
Clay County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Clay County property records by address?
Use the South Dakota Public Index, the official records search for Clay County, and enter the property address or owner name. Recorded documents connected to the property appear in the results. If nothing comes up, try fewer words or call the Register of Deeds at 605-677-7130.
How can I find property owners in Clay County?
Ownership appears in recorded deeds. Search the South Dakota Public Index by name or property description to find the deed that transferred the property. You can also visit the Register of Deeds Office at 211 W Main, Vermillion, on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Clay County?
Clay County's records show an assessment year of 2025 and a last assessor update of September 8, 2025. To find a particular parcel's assessed value, call the Register of Deeds at 605-677-7130 or see the Register of Deeds page for the right county office.
Where can I find Clay County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are handled by a county tax office rather than the Register of Deeds. Begin at the Clay County website or call 605-677-7130, and staff can point you to the office that issues bills and accepts payments.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Clay County?
The Register of Deeds Office keeps deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. Search them through the South Dakota Public Index or visit 211 W Main, Vermillion. Online records include deeds from January 3, 2006 through August 22, 2025.
Where can I access Clay County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are not part of the Register of Deeds records. Ask the office at 605-677-7130 where Clay County's mapping is available, or browse the county's Register of Deeds page for related links. Recorded plats can be requested from the Register of Deeds.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Clay County?
Permits and zoning are not handled by the Register of Deeds. Call Clay County at 605-677-7130 to learn which department covers building permits and zoning for your area, and contact the city of Vermillion if the property sits inside city limits.
How can I create a list of property owners in Clay County?
The online search works one property or name at a time, so a full owner list is not available there. For a larger request, call the Register of Deeds at 605-677-7130 to ask what copies or bulk options exist for the county's 9,194 parcels.