Clay, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay, Alabama had a total population of 10,273, the 70th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $81,920, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Clay Quick Facts
How Clay Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,288 | 10,273 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $86,163 | $81,920 | -4.9% |
| Median home value | $198,400 | $220,600 | +11.2% |
How Clay Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
Cities Similar to Clay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southside | 9,483 | $76,487 | $226,500 | 23.2% | 4.4% |
| Spanish Fort | 10,662 | $99,346 | $343,900 | 49.1% | 5.8% |
| Fultondale | 9,384 | $73,575 | $186,100 | 28.7% | 12.5% |
| Forestdale | 9,742 | $66,569 | $164,000 | 27.5% | 17.8% |
| Pleasant Grove | 9,442 | $70,317 | $226,400 | 23.2% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Clay is a small city located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 10,273. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Clay has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clay is $81,920. This is 28% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $220,600. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Clay is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 43.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (43.0% vs 25.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.5% vs 1.4%).
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clay, Alabama?
Clay, Alabama has a population of 10,273 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay, AL?
The median household income in Clay is $81,920, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clay, AL?
The poverty rate in Clay is 17.3%. This means approximately 1,775 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay, Alabama?
Clay's population is 47.0% White, 43.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay, AL?
The median home value in Clay is $220,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Clay, Alabama?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Clay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.