6th most populous of 159
With 297,703 residents in 2024, Clayton County ranks 6th by population among Georgia's 159 counties and is home to 2.7% of the state's residents.
Clayton County is home to 297,703 people (2024 estimate) on 142 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
297,703
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
299,394
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.6%
2020–2024
Land area
142 mi²
367 km²
Population density
2,100.1 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
3,273
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,019
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+1,254
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−2,914
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$36,987
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$26.3 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$59,806
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
17.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
22.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
13.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$222,300
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.3%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024297,703▲ 25%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 297,703 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 259,424 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 238,079 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +25.0% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,809 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −4,723 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 6.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Georgia | 6th of 159 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $36,987 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $26.3 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $59,806 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 22.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 13.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $222,300 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,433/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 33.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 105,941 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Clayton County in context
Comparable indicators for Clayton County, Georgia and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Georgia | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.6% | +4.4% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.0 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 6.8 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -9.8 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 2100.1 | 193.7 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $36,987 | $63,006 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $59,806 | $77,353 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 13.4% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 22.5% | 34.9% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 13.4% | 11.2% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $222,300 | $303,300 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,433/month | $1,393/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 33.7 years | 37.6 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.5% | 65.7% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? Clayton County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 238,079 in 2000 to 297,703 in 2024, a change of +25.0%, compared with +35.9% for Georgia as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 3,273 births and 2,019 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 1,254.
Peak population in 2020
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 299,440 in 2020. The 2024 figure is 1,737 lower.
4th in density
Clayton County has about 2100.1 residents per square mile of land, ranking 4th of 159 counties; Georgia averages 193.7.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $59,806 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 69th of 159 Georgia counties; the state median is $77,353.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $26.3 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 6th largest among 159 Georgia counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP fell 0.3% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS