Clay, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clay, West Virginia had a total population of 378, the 263rd largest town in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 77.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (77.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 485 | 378 | -22.1% |
| Median home value | $58,800 | $44,300 | -24.7% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clay Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardensville | 378 | $33,750 | $205,300 | 15.6% | 21.8% |
| Hedgesville | 379 | $89,141 | $207,800 | 21.6% | 6.6% |
| Lester | 377 | N/A | $89,400 | 11.2% | 41.4% |
| Hendricks | 375 | $58,333 | $133,000 | 10.8% | 7.7% |
| Falls View | 372 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 51.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 378, Clay'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 is a small community located in West Virginia, within Clay County. The total population is 378. It ranks as the 263rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clay is 30.4 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 38.4% of the population under 18, Clay has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 77.8%. This is 365% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. 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 $44,300. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $162,600. 22.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 70% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
3.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clay, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. 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, West Virginia?
Clay, West Virginia has a population of 378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clay, WV?
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, WV?
The poverty rate in Clay is 77.8%. This means approximately 294 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clay, West Virginia?
Clay's population is 96.6% White, 0.5% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clay, WV?
The median home value in Clay is $44,300.
How educated is Clay, West Virginia?
3.9% of adults (25+) in Clay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.