It was the last dry county in Alabama with no wet cities within its boundaries, until a vote on March 1, 2016, approved the sale of alcohol in Lineville and Ashland.

The county was covered with a heavy growth of trees, and a part of the territory was occupied by the Creek Indians.

[8] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,236 people, 5,198 households, and 3,704 families residing in the county.

27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[21] Legislators for the county are Rep. Richard Laird for State of Alabama House, District 37.

Representatives are Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), 3rd District, Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Sen. Katie Britt.

The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by a plurality in 1980, even as he narrowly lost the state of Alabama to Ronald Reagan.

Clay County is home to parts of Cheaha State Park in the Talladega National Forest and Lake Wedowee on the eastern boundary.

Outdoor adventures abound in Clay County and the surrounding area.

The Pinhoti Trail system[24] weaves its way through the Talladega National Forest to Mt.

Hikers along the trail may spy some of the local wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and the rare bald eagle.

[25] One of only two private motorized parks in the nation to ever be awarded the NRT designation.