Population 298,924 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clayton County
Household size in Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.96 | 2.74 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.01 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.01 | 2.81 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.91 | 2.79 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | +0.05 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Clayton County are large by national standards, averaging 2.91 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.96 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.0 | 35.5 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.9 | 36.5 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.6 | 37.5 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.6 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | +2.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.6, Clayton County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.0, mirroring the country. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only seven are younger.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 13.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.4% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 12.5% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 12.7% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Clayton County: 20.6% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only two have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Clayton County
Renters in Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.0% | 32.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.1% | 35.5% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.5% | 36.7% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.5% | 33.9% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Clayton County than nationally: 45.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. About a third of owners (33.2%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 4.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Georgia counties have a higher share of renters: only ten of 159.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.6% | 11.9% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 8.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Clayton County as nationally: 9.2%, against 9.6%. Vacancy has fallen 7.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Clayton County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Georgia counties.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1988 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1989 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1990 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1993 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Clayton County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The picture is much the same across the Atlanta area. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $965 | $1,050 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $979 | $1,116 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,062 | $1,293 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,577 | $1,799 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$612 | +$749 | +$609 | +$606 |
Rent in Clayton County runs $1,577 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the Atlanta area overall ($1,799). Rent has climbed $612 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 36.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Clayton County
Bachelor's degrees in Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 34.5% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.2% | 35.2% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 38.2% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 42.0% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Clayton County: 23.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the north.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.5% | 87.2% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.9% | 88.0% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.9% | 89.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.7% | 90.9% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +3.6 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Clayton County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Clayton County
| Period | Clayton County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.8% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.3% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −3.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been harder to find in Clayton County than nationally: unemployment was 7.3%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.6 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Clayton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton County | 2.91 | 34.6 | 20.6% | 45.5% | 9.2% | 1989 | $1,577 | 23.2% | 85.7% | 7.3% |
| Henry County | 2.97 | 37.9 | 14.1% | 25.1% | 6.6% | 2000 | $1,830 | 30.0% | 93.1% | 6.1% |
| Fayette County | 2.78 | 44.2 | 10.5% | 19.9% | 5.5% | 1994 | $1,957 | 50.4% | 94.7% | 3.9% |
| Rockdale County | 2.90 | 40.0 | 16.2% | 30.4% | 6.8% | 1992 | $1,578 | 33.5% | 91.0% | 6.2% |
| Newton County | 2.88 | 37.1 | 17.0% | 26.2% | 7.0% | 1996 | $1,555 | 24.9% | 90.5% | 6.7% |
| Carroll County | 2.88 | 36.3 | 14.4% | 28.7% | 9.4% | 1991 | $1,210 | 23.3% | 85.4% | 6.1% |
| Morgan County | 2.60 | 43.9 | 9.3% | 21.8% | 8.7% | 1992 | $1,317 | 29.7% | 91.6% | 2.3% |
| Cleburne County | 2.59 | 42.2 | 10.1% | 21.5% | 13.4% | 1986 | $747 | 17.3% | 86.4% | 3.1% |
| Greene County | 2.48 | 53.2 | 11.5% | 22.1% | 21.9% | 1988 | $1,358 | 36.9% | 88.8% | 3.8% |
| Taliaferro County | 2.71 | 46.3 | 20.9% | 17.9% | 36.4% | 1975 | $657 | 11.9% | 87.4% | 5.4% |
| Warren County | 2.41 | 44.7 | 12.7% | 27.8% | 18.7% | 1980 | $682 | 12.6% | 77.6% | 10.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: St. Tammany Parish, LA · Chesterfield County, VA · Collier County, FL · Davis County, UT · Douglas County, CO · Hinds County, MS · Lane County, OR · Mercer County, NJ · Osceola County, FL · Rockland County, NY
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 Clayton 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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