Clayton, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, Delaware had a total population of 4,222, the 22nd largest town in Delaware, with a median household income of $107,307, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
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 | 4,086 | 4,222 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $103,211 | $107,307 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $343,700 | $361,300 | +5.1% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in New Castle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 71,727 | $58,671 | 21.4% | $231,400 |
| Newark | 30,330 | $76,912 | 27.7% | $382,500 |
| Middletown | 24,661 | $112,831 | 8.3% | $409,600 |
| Bear | 22,370 | $91,687 | 8.7% | $304,800 |
| Glasgow | 15,546 | $113,982 | 8.0% | $373,900 |
| Brookside | 15,115 | $78,328 | 14.6% | $279,700 |
| Hockessin | 13,439 | $171,204 | 1.5% | $568,800 |
| Smyrna | 13,165 | $67,048 | 12.9% | $291,400 |
| Pike Creek Valley | 12,431 | $102,434 | 6.2% | $340,300 |
| Claymont | 8,786 | $74,712 | 10.0% | $276,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | $389,900 | 36.2% | 8.0% |
| Highland Acres | 3,752 | $102,356 | $306,400 | 37.3% | 6.2% |
| Lewes | 3,505 | $96,393 | $826,100 | 67.8% | 7.9% |
| Greenville | 3,713 | $142,844 | $1,062,500 | 79.3% | 4.0% |
| Harrington | 3,838 | $72,679 | $221,900 | 27.9% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in Delaware, within New Castle County. The total population is 4,222. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 37.1 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 41.6 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Clayton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $107,307. This is 26% higher than the state median of $84,954. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $361,300. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton is Black or African American, making up 46.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.0% vs 21.4%).
Education
32.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 35.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, Delaware 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 Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. 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, Delaware?
Clayton, Delaware has a population of 4,222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, DE?
The median household income in Clayton is $107,307, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, DE?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 5.3%. This means approximately 223 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, Delaware?
Clayton's population is 37.3% White, 46.0% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, DE?
The median home value in Clayton is $361,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Clayton, Delaware?
32.1% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.