Clayton, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clayton, New York had a total population of 1,661, the 700th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $60,573, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 1,669 | 1,661 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $57,125 | $60,573 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $192,900 | $231,800 | +20.2% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clayton Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | 20.1% | $158,600 |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | 11.7% | N/A |
| Carthage | 3,510 | $58,125 | 25.8% | $131,200 |
| Calcium | 2,935 | $57,668 | 17.3% | $203,400 |
| West Carthage | 1,864 | $49,885 | 10.4% | $192,100 |
| Black River | 1,651 | $86,645 | 11.8% | $228,200 |
| Adams | 1,531 | $64,432 | 8.9% | $192,400 |
| Sackets Harbor | 1,490 | $77,043 | 14.0% | $234,900 |
| Alexandria Bay | 1,212 | $55,048 | 10.8% | $154,100 |
| Adams Center | 1,075 | $87,727 | 10.1% | $178,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lodge Park | 1,669 | $60,734 | $210,100 | 17.4% | 16.4% |
| Addison | 1,688 | $55,921 | $97,300 | 17.2% | 17.8% |
| Manchester | 1,631 | $65,750 | $110,000 | 21.9% | 7.2% |
| Crugers | 1,634 | $54,962 | $639,600 | 31.8% | 10.3% |
| Trumansburg | 1,665 | $68,967 | $287,000 | 49.8% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Clayton is a small community located in New York, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,661. It ranks as the 700th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clayton is 45.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 11.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clayton is $60,573. This is 30% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $231,800. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clayton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.9% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
37.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%. Notably, 20.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clayton, New York 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 York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 York?
Clayton, New York has a population of 1,661 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clayton, NY?
The median household income in Clayton is $60,573, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clayton, NY?
The poverty rate in Clayton is 19.5%. This means approximately 321 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clayton, New York?
Clayton's population is 92.9% White, 1.3% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clayton, NY?
The median home value in Clayton is $231,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Clayton, New York?
37.4% of adults (25+) in Clayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.