Clayton, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, Alabama had a total population of 2,295, the 207th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $21,641, which is 66% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 66% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 23.5% is notably above the national average.
Clayton Quick Facts
How Clayton 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 | 2,271 | 2,295 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $32,625 | $21,641 | -33.7% |
| Median home value | $82,100 | $72,300 | -11.9% |
How Clayton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Barbour County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eufaula | 12,584 | $47,392 | 20.4% | $139,900 |
| Clio | 1,422 | $28,750 | 38.9% | $65,600 |
| Louisville | 518 | $44,439 | 16.8% | N/A |
| Bakerhill | 244 | $55,114 | 21.6% | $94,200 |
| Blue Springs | 100 | $46,667 | 9.0% | $74,300 |
Cities Similar to Clayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 2,135 | $27,000 | $130,000 | 13.7% | 42.1% |
| Florala | 1,822 | N/A | $91,600 | 7.8% | 16.5% |
| Bridgeport | 2,246 | $34,481 | $94,000 | 6.8% | 32.7% |
| Selmont-West Selmont | 2,150 | $32,443 | $69,000 | 24.7% | 28.2% |
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | N/A | 33.2% | 4.4% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in Alabama, within Barbour County. The total population is 2,295. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 8.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $21,641. This is 66% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 73% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.7%. This is 154% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 23.5%. This is 399% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $72,300. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton is Black or African American, making up 60.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (60.7% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
4.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 86% 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 66.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, 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 Clayton, Alabama?
Clayton, Alabama has a population of 2,295 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, AL?
The median household income in Clayton is $21,641, which is 73% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, AL?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 39.7%. This means approximately 390 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, Alabama?
Clayton's population is 35.2% White, 60.7% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, AL?
The median home value in Clayton is $72,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Clayton, Alabama?
4.1% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.