Clay, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay, Kentucky had a total population of 996, the 244th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $61,250, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Clay Quick Facts
How Clay 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 | 1,112 | 996 | -10.4% |
| Median household income | $43,884 | $61,250 | +39.6% |
| Median home value | $75,600 | $74,400 | -1.6% |
How Clay 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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Webster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 2,857 | $55,121 | 19.9% | $60,300 |
| Sebree | 1,825 | $58,707 | 6.9% | $106,500 |
| Dixon | 1,036 | $46,607 | 20.1% | $82,500 |
| Slaughters | 175 | $35,625 | 25.1% | $72,100 |
| Onton | 122 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Wheatcroft | 90 | $41,250 | 13.3% | $81,500 |
Cities Similar to Clay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamping Ground | 994 | $62,500 | $204,300 | 17.8% | 11.2% |
| Wheelwright | 964 | N/A | $72,000 | 9.1% | 40.7% |
| Perryville | 970 | $62,552 | $144,800 | 30.4% | 10.8% |
| Pine Knot | 1,051 | N/A | N/A | 1.9% | 52.9% |
| Campbellsburg | 1,016 | $54,875 | $162,200 | 11.7% | 21.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 996, Clay'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
Clay is a small community located in Kentucky, within Webster County. The total population is 996. It ranks as the 244th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay is 36.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clay is $61,250. This is 4% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $74,400. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Clay is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay, Kentucky 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 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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, Kentucky?
Clay, Kentucky has a population of 996 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay, KY?
The median household income in Clay is $61,250, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clay, KY?
The poverty rate in Clay is 9.6%. This means approximately 96 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay, Kentucky?
Clay's population is 95.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay, KY?
The median home value in Clay is $74,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Clay, Kentucky?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Clay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.