Clay County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clay County is located in Georgia with a total population of 2,853. It is the 155th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clay County is 46.1 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 15.0% 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 $48,715. This is 35% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. 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 4.4%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $92,500. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Clay County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clay County is Black or African American, making up 59.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (59.5% vs 31.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 10.7%.

Education

22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.4%.