Clayton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, Illinois had a total population of 602, the 871st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $66,136, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 5.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
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 | 597 | 602 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $63,438 | $66,136 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $90,000 | $91,500 | +1.7% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | 16.7% | $153,200 |
| Camp Point | 1,230 | $62,188 | 14.9% | $127,800 |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | 15.7% | $111,600 |
| Payson | 1,100 | $60,478 | 12.4% | $132,000 |
| Ursa | 726 | $64,375 | 10.7% | $161,900 |
| Golden | 693 | $55,000 | 6.4% | $122,800 |
| Liberty | 409 | $78,977 | 6.4% | $137,500 |
| Loraine | 341 | $58,750 | 8.8% | $83,600 |
| Lima | 224 | $74,375 | 4.9% | $88,800 |
| Coatsburg | 209 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $81,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoffman | 607 | $66,667 | $106,700 | 11.9% | 5.6% |
| Owaneco | 613 | $65,313 | $101,700 | 7.7% | 17.5% |
| Ohio | 609 | $68,594 | $99,000 | 14.8% | 18.4% |
| Sun River Terrace | 636 | $65,481 | $125,000 | 11.1% | 45.2% |
| Coffeen | 592 | $72,500 | $60,800 | 14.5% | 21.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 602, Clayton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in Illinois, within Adams County. The total population is 602. It ranks as the 871st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 49.2 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $66,136. This is 21% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $91,500. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Clayton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clayton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 10.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
5.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
Clayton, Illinois has a population of 602 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, IL?
The median household income in Clayton is $66,136, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, IL?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 12.7%. This means approximately 65 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, Illinois?
Clayton's population is 86.5% White, 10.5% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, IL?
The median home value in Clayton is $91,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Clayton, Illinois?
5.7% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.