Clayton, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, Georgia had a total population of 2,018, the 296th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $57,083, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
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 1.1%.
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 | 2,420 | 2,018 | -16.6% |
| Median household income | $57,802 | $57,083 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $228,100 | $249,600 | +9.4% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Rabun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain City | 1,004 | $46,250 | 9.9% | $153,400 |
| Sky Valley | 647 | N/A | 30.3% | $376,600 |
| Tiger | 362 | $68,523 | 18.9% | $250,000 |
| Dillard | 326 | $44,643 | 9.8% | $208,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | 2,000 | $53,351 | $48,500 | 5.6% | 31.8% |
| Comer | 2,029 | $52,891 | $223,800 | 33.5% | 23.3% |
| Ludowici | 1,897 | N/A | $238,600 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
| Maysville | 2,086 | $61,495 | $253,400 | 19.2% | 12.9% |
| Bowdon | 2,006 | $65,337 | $167,500 | 13.7% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in Georgia, within Rabun County. The total population is 2,018. It ranks as the 296th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 45.7 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 13.8% 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 Clayton is $57,083. This is 26% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 55% 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 1.1%. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $249,600. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.3% vs 49.1%). The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 30.7%.
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 81.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, Georgia 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 Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. 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, Georgia?
Clayton, Georgia has a population of 2,018 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, GA?
The median household income in Clayton is $57,083, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, GA?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 20.8%. This means approximately 410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, Georgia?
Clayton's population is 81.3% White, 2.0% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, GA?
The median home value in Clayton is $249,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Clayton, Georgia?
25.5% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.