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).
Clayton city, MO Climate
Clayton city, MO has an average annual temperature of 13.4°C (56°F) and receives about 979 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
13.4°C
Avg Temp
979
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1° / 29° | 51 mm |
| February | 2° / 35° | 56 mm |
| March | 7° / 45° | 90 mm |
| April | 14° / 56° | 94 mm |
| May | 19° / 66° | 103 mm |
| June | 24° / 75° | 92 mm |
| July | 26° / 79° | 95 mm |
| August | 25° / 77° | 81 mm |
| September | 21° / 70° | 82 mm |
| October | 15° / 58° | 71 mm |
| November | 8° / 46° | 88 mm |
| December | 1° / 34° | 76 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Clayton city, MO
The most comfortable months to visit Clayton city, MO are typically September, May and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 32°C high). The coldest is January (near -6°C low). May is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Clayton
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Statewide data for Missouri
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Missouri
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.