Clay Center, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay Center, Ohio had a total population of 388, the 947th largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $61,875, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 5.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Clay Center Quick Facts
How Clay Center 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 | 367 | 388 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $64,750 | $61,875 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $121,200 | $118,400 | -2.3% |
How Clay Center 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Center Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Ottawa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton | 5,970 | $60,909 | 17.5% | $152,300 |
| Oak Harbor | 2,314 | $46,211 | 5.7% | $142,200 |
| Genoa | 1,872 | $65,550 | 7.7% | $144,100 |
| Marblehead | 876 | $96,250 | 2.3% | $376,400 |
| Lakeside | 508 | $92,500 | 5.6% | $445,200 |
| Williston | 287 | $46,731 | 29.4% | $161,500 |
| Rocky Ridge | 282 | $78,906 | 10.9% | $97,100 |
| Put-in-Bay | 126 | $63,750 | 7.5% | $450,000 |
Cities Similar to Clay Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundee | 390 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Zaleski | 386 | N/A | N/A | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| Waterford | 395 | N/A | $208,900 | 36.7% | 2.3% |
| Minford | 379 | N/A | $221,300 | 11.4% | 14.2% |
| Robertsville | 386 | $59,240 | $109,400 | 6.4% | 14.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 388, Clay Center'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 Center is a small community located in Ohio, within Ottawa County. The total population is 388. It ranks as the 947th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay Center is 32.1 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clay Center is $61,875. This is 13% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $118,400. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Clay Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
5.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay Center, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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 Clay Center, Ohio?
Clay Center, Ohio has a population of 388 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay Center, OH?
The median household income in Clay Center is $61,875, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clay Center, OH?
The poverty rate in Clay Center is 14.4%. This means approximately 56 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay Center, Ohio?
Clay Center's population is 92.3% White, 0.3% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay Center, OH?
The median home value in Clay Center is $118,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Clay Center, Ohio?
5.4% of adults (25+) in Clay Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.