Clay City city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Clay City city, Kentucky has a total population of 1,352, the 211th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $32,571, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Clay City city Quick Facts
How Clay City city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay City city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Clay City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Knot CDP | 1,358 | N/A | $111,300 | 14.4% | 48.3% |
| Burkesville city | 1,407 | $32,361 | $114,600 | 8.4% | 32.9% |
| Guthrie city | 1,377 | $34,803 | $122,200 | 8.4% | 35.6% |
| Brodhead city | 1,339 | $28,523 | $112,500 | 17.2% | 37.5% |
| Clinton city | 1,246 | $32,991 | $48,700 | 8.1% | 35.0% |
Population Overview
Clay City city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 1,352. It ranks as the 211th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay City city is 36.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Clay City city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clay City city is $32,571. This is 48% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 38.9%. This is 141% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 8.3%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $108,600. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 42.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 4.7%).
Education
4.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 59.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay City city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clay City city, Kentucky?
Clay City city, Kentucky has a population of 1,352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay City city, KY?
The median household income in Clay City city is $32,571, which is 59% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Clay City city, KY?
The poverty rate in Clay City city is 38.9%. This means approximately 518 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay City city, Kentucky?
Clay City city's population is 87.7% White, 1.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay City city, KY?
The median home value in Clay City city is $108,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Clay City city, Kentucky?
4.6% of adults (25+) in Clay City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.