Clay, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,362, the 838th largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 1,576 | 1,362 | -13.6% |
| Median home value | $265,300 | $277,400 | +4.6% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | 20.3% | $219,500 |
| Ephrata | 13,772 | $69,735 | 7.9% | $224,400 |
| Elizabethtown | 11,925 | $76,105 | 7.6% | $238,700 |
| Columbia | 10,278 | $54,437 | 21.4% | $196,500 |
| Willow Street | 9,647 | $109,675 | 3.3% | $314,700 |
| Lititz | 9,619 | $88,576 | 4.1% | $299,900 |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | 23.1% | $277,600 |
| Mount Joy | 8,344 | $90,061 | 9.1% | $266,500 |
| Leola | 7,448 | $91,154 | 4.8% | $339,200 |
| New Holland | 5,780 | $63,182 | 10.7% | $238,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseto | 1,362 | $74,625 | $205,600 | 27.3% | 9.6% |
| Mill Hall | 1,364 | $54,333 | $151,700 | 16.0% | 16.1% |
| Factoryville | 1,368 | $54,028 | $214,500 | 29.3% | 21.8% |
| Elizabeth | 1,371 | $51,174 | $108,300 | 24.8% | 13.0% |
| Hasson Heights | 1,351 | $74,489 | $114,800 | 25.4% | 21.2% |
Population Overview
Clay is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 1,362. It ranks as the 838th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay is 52.1 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Clay, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $277,400. Housing costs are 9% higher than the state median of $254,500. 59.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.4%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Clay, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,362 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Clay — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clay, PA?
The poverty rate in Clay is 11.3%. This means approximately 154 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay, Pennsylvania?
Clay's population is 91.5% White, 0.0% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay, PA?
The median home value in Clay is $277,400.
How educated is Clay, Pennsylvania?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Clay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.