Population 14,192 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clay County
Household size in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.27 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.39 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.16 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Clay County has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.27, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.6 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.4 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.8 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.1 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.4 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.1, Clay County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.6, mirroring the country. Few Alabama counties are older: only three of 67.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.8% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Clay County than nationally: 9.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Clay County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Alabama counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Clay County
Renters in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.2% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.7% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.5% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.6 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Clay County is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 66.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.6 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.0% of the housing in Clay County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Clay County was built around 1983, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $519 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $502 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $529 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $631 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$112 | +$375 | +$606 |
The median renter in Clay County pays $631 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $112 a month from 2006–10, a 22% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 25.1% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Clay County
Bachelor's degrees in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Clay County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.4%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 4.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.4% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.0% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.5% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.0 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Clay County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.0 points, as it has nationally. Of Alabama's 67 counties, only six have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Clay County
| Period | Clay County | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.3 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Clay County has been strong: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Alabama's 67 counties have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Clay County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | 2.43 | 46.1 | 9.8% | 20.6% | 18.0% | 1983 | $631 | 14.4% | 82.5% | 2.4% |
| Talladega County | 2.34 | 43.1 | 14.3% | 28.0% | 13.3% | 1982 | $837 | 16.5% | 85.8% | 6.8% |
| Randolph County | 2.41 | 42.9 | 12.9% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 1984 | $689 | 17.5% | 84.1% | 3.5% |
| Heard County | 2.74 | 41.0 | 10.5% | 27.7% | 10.6% | 1985 | $972 | 12.4% | 87.5% | 4.3% |
| Shelby County | 2.67 | 40.9 | 8.5% | 18.6% | 6.6% | 1998 | $1,491 | 47.0% | 94.6% | 3.0% |
| Coweta County | 2.76 | 40.6 | 11.9% | 21.6% | 5.8% | 1997 | $1,578 | 36.4% | 92.2% | 3.2% |
| Pike County | 2.95 | 39.3 | 11.2% | 15.4% | 8.7% | 1993 | $982 | 21.5% | 90.2% | 3.6% |
| Spalding County | 2.69 | 40.3 | 17.4% | 37.3% | 9.0% | 1983 | $1,165 | 17.7% | 85.4% | 7.0% |
| Tuscaloosa County | 2.53 | 35.1 | 11.0% | 38.6% | 13.5% | 1992 | $1,138 | 33.2% | 91.0% | 6.4% |
| Butts County | 2.83 | 40.9 | 15.7% | 25.7% | 8.3% | 1993 | $1,109 | 15.1% | 84.3% | 2.7% |
| Jasper County | 2.67 | 42.0 | 13.2% | 14.4% | 9.2% | 1993 | $1,129 | 19.7% | 89.9% | 7.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Montgomery County, MS · Lincoln County, WY · Logan County, AR · Loiza Municipio, PR · Lowndes County, AL · Lucas County, IA · Luce County, MI · Mills County, TX · Mineral County, MT · Mineral County, NV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Clay County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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