Clayton, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, Missouri had a total population of 17,380, the 50th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $123,000, which is 74% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 74% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Missouri.
- 84.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
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 | 17,282 | 17,380 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $128,898 | $123,000 | -4.6% |
| Median home value | $799,200 | $830,000 | +3.9% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | 10.1% | $148,800 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | 3.9% | $472,500 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | 6.4% | $318,600 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | 2.2% | $495,800 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | 14.5% | $306,700 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | 4.8% | $377,100 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | 7.8% | $218,400 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | 5.3% | $451,400 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | 4.7% | $227,000 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | 15.9% | $167,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake St. Louis | 18,066 | $125,693 | $405,900 | 51.7% | 4.3% |
| Creve Coeur | 18,643 | $127,188 | $614,000 | 70.1% | 6.1% |
| Manchester | 18,160 | $97,801 | $323,100 | 62.4% | 6.4% |
| Concord | 18,368 | $89,038 | $303,600 | 42.0% | 3.9% |
| Grain Valley | 16,271 | $89,649 | $283,800 | 27.4% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small city located in Missouri, within St. Louis County. The total population is 17,380. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 30.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $123,000. This is 74% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 52% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $830,000. Housing costs are 260% higher than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 54.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (13.3% vs 2.1%).
Education
84.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Clayton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 162% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.0%. Notably, 50.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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, Missouri?
Clayton, Missouri has a population of 17,380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, MO?
The median household income in Clayton is $123,000, which is 52% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, MO?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 8.0%. This means approximately 1,031 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, Missouri?
Clayton's population is 66.6% White, 8.7% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 13.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, MO?
The median home value in Clayton is $830,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Clayton, Missouri?
84.9% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 50.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.