Clay County, NC borders Macon near Franklin metropolitan centre and its2019 census population estimate stood at 10,372 making it one of least populated counties located in North Carolina overall. Its county seat is Hayesville but other towns include Fires Creek & Warne giving us a perfect mixture of rural farmland & small communities that much more enjoyable to everyone living here or visiting for business or pleasure alike. Clay had been created out of Cherokee and Macon Counties back in 1861 – posthumously named after Henry Clay who served as US Senator during reigns both James Madison & James Monroe .