Clayton, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, New Mexico had a total population of 2,753, the 68th largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $34,500, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
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 | 2,680 | 2,753 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $40,192 | $34,500 | -14.2% |
| Median home value | $111,500 | $110,500 | -0.9% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 174 | $63,864 | 25.9% | $152,500 |
| Capulin | 79 | $34,464 | 6.3% | $48,200 |
| Grenville | 56 | $115,625 | 7.1% | $100,000 |
| Folsom | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | N/A | 63.6% | 30.2% |
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | $349,700 | 45.8% | 10.2% |
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | 21.5% | 40.5% |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | $104,400 | 3.7% | 25.7% |
| Flora Vista | 2,770 | $44,352 | $219,300 | 10.8% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in New Mexico, within Union County. The total population is 2,753. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 40.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $34,500. This is 46% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 9.4%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $110,500. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clayton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.4%.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, New Mexico 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 New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. 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, New Mexico?
Clayton, New Mexico has a population of 2,753 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, NM?
The median household income in Clayton is $34,500, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, NM?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 20.5%. This means approximately 467 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, New Mexico?
Clayton's population is 41.4% White, 1.3% Black, 51.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, NM?
The median home value in Clayton is $110,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Clayton, New Mexico?
13.8% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.