Clayton County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clayton County is located in Georgia with a total population of 298,771. It is the 5th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clayton County is 33.3 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clayton County is $58,507. This is 22% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $194,500. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 53.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton County is Black or African American, making up 68.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.2%) is well below the state average of 49.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (68.7% vs 31.0%).

Education

21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 84.8%.