DFW / North Texas
Clay County, Texas
A porch-side guide to the county: the stories that give it a shape, practical local checks, and a few things worth knowing before they surprise you. Every note points to its source.
2 stories · 4 practical · 0 good to know
The practical part
Clay County offices and deadlines
Appraisal district & tax office →
The Comptroller's official directory for Clay County: who sets your value and who sends the bill.
Homestead exemption →
File Form 50-114 with the appraisal district. It is free. The regular deadline is April 30, and late filing is allowed for up to two years.
Protest your appraisal →
The usual deadline is May 15, or 30 days after your notice arrives, whichever is later.
Estimate a tax bill →
Model a bill from local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Start here
A little of what makes this place itself
Clay County · Mineral rights / Oil and gas
In Clay County, the person who owns the oil may not own your land
Oil was found near Petrolia in 1901. More than a century of leasing has left many Clay County parcels with separate surface and mineral owners.
Clay County · History / Settlement
Clay County was named for Henry Clay and abandoned during the Civil War
Clay County was split from Cooke County in 1857, named for Kentucky statesman Henry Clay, and had fewer than 110 residents by 1860 before settlers abandoned it during the Civil War.
All 6 local notes
The full county shelf is mixed so stories and useful checks travel together. Use the filters when you need one kind.
Showing all 6 notes.
- Stories & local character Home & Property In Clay County, the person who owns the oil may not own your land Oil was found near Petrolia in 1901. More than a century of leasing has left many Clay County parcels with separate surface and mineral owners.
- Practical Outdoors Lake Arrowhead State Park offers camping, fishing, and trails in Clay County Lake Arrowhead State Park sits on a large reservoir in Clay County and offers fishing, camping, hiking, and equestrian trails about 15 minutes south of Wichita Falls.
- Stories & local character History & Culture Clay County was named for Henry Clay and abandoned during the Civil War Clay County was split from Cooke County in 1857, named for Kentucky statesman Henry Clay, and had fewer than 110 residents by 1860 before settlers abandoned it during the Civil War.
- Practical Money & Taxes Farm and ranch land in Clay County can be taxed on productivity, not market value Clay County farm and ranch land may qualify for a special appraisal that taxes it based on what it produces, not what it could sell for.
- Practical Rules & Licenses Deer and turkey hunting rules for Clay County Clay County falls under North Zone rules for deer and turkey, with specific bag limits and antler restrictions hunters must know before heading out.
- Practical Money & Taxes How to lower your Clay County property tax bill with a homestead exemption Homeowners who live in their Clay County home can file for a homestead exemption that removes part of the home's appraised value from taxation.
Nearby counties