Clay County is a diverse mixture of suburban and rural areas spread over 592 square miles. The population is 136,930 with a projection of 157,000 by the year 2003. Its proximity to the urban amenities of Jacksonville and the more pastoral qualities of rural Clay County along with the most successful school system in the region make it the location of choice for many young families. A good many of its residents work in Jacksonville, a significant number being military and civilian employees at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

In addition to the best public schools in the area, Clay County offers post-secondary education at the branch campus of the St. Johns River Community College and St. Leo's University. State-of-the-art health care can be had at the Orange Park Medical Center, the new Baptist St. Vincent's Urgent Care facility, and the recently opened Orange Park Cancer Center. The Orange Park Kennel Club, Club Continental, Orange Park Country Club and many other recreational facilities offer leisure activities for residents. Orange Park Township, located just south of Jacksonville on the west side of the St. Johns River, has long been considered one of the most desirable residential
communities in the area.

Orange Park offers shopping at its own regional mall, complete with a 24 screen cinema, and a plethora of restaurants along Wells Road to tempt the palate of the most discriminating diner. Orange Park's explosive growth during the last decade continues to push southward along Highway 17 onto Fleming Island and the Doctors Lake area. Many new subdivisions and planned communities have emerged such as Pace Island, Hibernia Plantation, and Eagle Harbor.