Clay County, Georgia Demographics 2026
Clay County, Georgia has a population of 2,850, the 155th most populous county in Georgia. The median household income is $49,147 and the median home value is $94,400. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Clay County Quick Facts
How Clay County 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 | 2,853 | 2,850 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,715 | $49,147 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $92,500 | $94,400 | +2.1% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Gaines | 1,248 | $38,071 | 31.7% | $90,500 |
| Bluffton | 350 | $86,131 | 2.9% | $161,300 |
Explore Georgia Rankings
Population Overview
Clay County is located in Georgia with a total population of 2,850. It is the 155th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay County is 45.3 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 13.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clay County is $49,147. This is 36% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 4.5%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $94,400. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Clay County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clay County is Black or African American, making up 60.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (60.5% vs 30.7%).
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Clay County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Georgia and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clay County, Georgia?
Clay County has a population of 2,850, making it the 155th most populous county in Georgia.
What is the median income in Clay County?
The median household income in Clay County is $49,147 with a poverty rate of 21.0%.
How many cities are in Clay County, Georgia?
Clay County contains 2 Census-designated places.