Overview of
Clay County
Clay County sits at the center of the Jacksonville region’s next chapter. Directly south of the JAX urban core, the county delivers an educated and largely untapped workforce, a transforming transportation network and a growing inventory of job-ready industrial sites — all within one of Florida’s most livable communities.
235K+
Population
112.5K
Labor Force
17.9%
Labor Force Growth
(2014-2024)Top 15
Florida School District
(State Grade Ranking)$86K
Median Household Income
Advantages of Clay County
Built for Business. Backed by Community.
Clay County brings together the assets site selectors look for and the quality of life that keeps talent in place.
A Ready Workforce
Nearly 8 in 10 Clay County residents commute out of the county for work. Locate here, and that workforce comes to you — reducing turnover, cutting commute times and improving employee quality of life.
The First Coast Expressway
SR 23 runs 28 of its 46 miles through Clay County, with seven interchanges opening green-field acreage for industrial, commercial and residential development. All lanes through the county are open.
Ready-to-Develop Sites
New industrial parks are under development at multiple First Coast Expressway interchanges — from speed-to-market, pad-ready sites to multi-acre campus opportunities for companies building at scale.
Regional Connectivity
Immediate access to I-10, I-95, JAXPORT, CSX rail and Jacksonville International Airport places Clay County within one business day of 60% of the U.S. population.
Educated Talent Pipeline
Clay County holds the second-highest educated workforce in Northeast Florida, backed by a top-15 state school district and direct proximity to the region’s major colleges and universities.
Quality of Life That Retains Talent
A median household income above $86,000, low cost of living, safe communities and abundant natural amenities make Clay County one of the most desirable places to live in the Jacksonville region.
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Key Industries
Clay County's economy is supported by a growing health care sector, led by HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital and Baptist Medical Center Clay, along with a strong defense presence tied to nearby Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Corporate operations, transportation and logistics continue to grow alongside new commercial development.
Defense & Aerospace
Home to thousands of military families and veterans, with close ties to Naval Air Station Jacksonville and a strong pipeline of defense-related talent.
Health Care
Baptist Medical Center Clay, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County and a growing network of healthcare providers support one of the county's fastest-growing industries.
Corporate Operations
A highly educated workforce, growing commercial centers and proximity to Jacksonville make Clay County an attractive location for professional and back-office operations.
Transportation & Logistics
Strategically located along the First Coast Expressway with convenient access to Jacksonville's port, airport and interstate network, supporting efficient regional distribution.
Major Employers
Spotlight
Military Roots
Clay County’s defense heritage also shapes the regional economy. Camp Blanding, a 28,000-acre Florida National Guard installation, anchors a resident military community and generates sustained demand for skilled trades, technical services and professional talent.
Incentives Built to Move Projects Forward
Clay County offers a Business Incentive Policy with property tax rebates for qualifying businesses.
Projects that create at least 10 net new jobs above the county’s average wage and commit a minimum of $1 million in capital improvements are eligible.
All projects are reviewed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
Stories of Success
IKO Industries
Clay
Advanced Manufacturing
When global roofing manufacturer IKO Industries looked to build its first-ever Florida facility, Clay County checked every box. The Canada-based company committed $270 million to a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing campus in Clay Hill — one of the largest capital investments in recent Florida history. Supported by county incentives and concierge partnership from the Clay County EDC, the project is creating 100+ manufacturing jobs with wages averaging $50,000–$60,000 annually.
“In the past decade, we’ve made some of the largest investment commitments we’ve ever made as a family business. They are a clear statement of our belief in the growth of our company, and of the strength of our industry. Clay County and the Clay County Economic Development Corporation have been great partners for us as we looked at this project, and we’re very pleased to be building our first-ever Florida facility.”
David Koschitzky
CEO of IKO North America
Available Sites
Find Your Site in Clay County
The Clay County EDC provides dedicated concierge assistance at every step — from early-stage due diligence through permitting and workforce recruitment. Fast-track permitting is available for qualified projects.
Talk with Local Contacts
Clay County Economic Development Corp.
Crawford Powell, President
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