Clayton, Missouri Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Clayton, Missouri is 17,282 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 50th-largest city in Missouri. The median household income is $128,898, the median home value is $799,200, and the median age is 28.7.
The population has grown 9.6% since 2010 (15,974 → 17,512).
17,282
Population
6893
People / sq mi
$128,898
Median Income
$799,200
Median Home Value
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Clayton covers 2.5 sq mi of land at 6893 people per square mile.
About Clayton, MO
Clayton is defined demographically by education — 83.8% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average. Clayton is a city in Missouri with a population of 17,282. It ranks #50 among cities in Missouri by population.
Median household income is $128,898, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 6.4%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $799,200, with typical rent around $1,648.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US cities: 83.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. About 19.2% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 17 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Clayton usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Clayton city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Clayton city had a population of 15,974 in 2010 and 17,512 in 2024, a 9.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,518 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.67%.
17,512
Population (2024)
15,974
Population (2010)
17,518
Peak (2023)
0.67%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 15,974 |
| 2011 | 15,973 |
| 2012 | 15,959 |
| 2013 | 15,930 |
| 2014 | 15,919 |
| 2015 | 15,915 |
| 2016 | 16,657 |
| 2017 | 16,824 |
| 2018 | 16,783 |
| 2019 | 16,747 |
| 2020 | 17,359 |
| 2021 | 17,307 |
| 2022 | 17,151 |
| 2023 | 17,518 |
| 2024 | 17,512 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 69.2% |
| Black or African American | 8.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$128,898
Median Household Income
$75,049
Per Capita Income
6.4%
Poverty Rate
1.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$799,200
Median Home Value
$1,648
Median Rent
54.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.9%
High School+
83.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.0%
Drive Alone
57.4%
Public Transit
19.2%
Work From Home
17.3 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
42.7%
Foreign Born
83.5%
Non-English at Home
2.3%
Veterans
6.2%
With Disability
98.1%
Health Insurance
98.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 37.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 16.5% |
| Information | 12.5% |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Public Administration | 3.1% |
| Construction | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
| Retail Trade | 0.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Missouri
Largest counties in Missouri
Part of Missouri
Metro areas in Missouri
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Clayton, Missouri has a population of 17,282 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 50th-largest city in Missouri.
The median household income in Clayton, Missouri is $128,898, with 6.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Clayton, Missouri is $799,200, with median monthly rent at $1,648 and a homeownership rate of 54.7%.
The median age in Clayton, Missouri is 28.7 years. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The population has grown 9.6% since 2010 (15,974 → 17,512).
Where to stay in Clayton
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.