Clay County, Alabama Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 56th-largest in Alabama

The population of Clay County, Alabama is 14,188 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 56th-largest county in Alabama. The median household income is $51,852, the median home value is $144,700, and the median age is 43.8.

The population of Clay County has grown 2.5% since 2010 (13,897 → 14,239), a +0.17% annualized rate.

Clay County within Alabama · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

14,188

Population

+0.17%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$51,852

Median Income

$144,700

Median Home Value

Clay County covers 604 sq mi of land at 23.5 people per square mile.

About Clay County, AL

Educational attainment is the headline number in Clay County: 15.2% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Clay County is a county in Alabama with a population of 14,188.

The typical household earns $51,852, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 13.4%, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $144,700, with typical rent around $624.

Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 15.2%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 4.6%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.

Clay County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Clay County had a population of 13,897 in 2010 and 14,239 in 2024, a 2.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 14,239 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.19%.

Clay County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

14,239

Population (2024)

13,897

Population (2010)

14,239

Peak (2024)

0.19%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	13,897	-	-	estimate
2011	13,687	-210	-1.51%	estimate
2012	13,433	-254	-1.86%	estimate
2013	13,406	-27	-0.20%	estimate
2014	13,443	+37	+0.28%	estimate
2015	13,415	-28	-0.21%	estimate
2016	13,393	-22	-0.16%	estimate
2017	13,355	-38	-0.28%	estimate
2018	13,301	-54	-0.40%	estimate
2019	13,265	-36	-0.27%	estimate
2020	14,210	+945	+7.12%	estimate
2021	14,156	-54	-0.38%	estimate
2022	14,198	+42	+0.30%	estimate
2023	14,157	-41	-0.29%	estimate
2024	14,239	+82	+0.58%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	80.5%
Black or African American	13.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.9%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

43.8

Median Age

51.8%

Female

48.2%

Male

20.5%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.2%

5–9

6.1%

10–14

5.8%

15–19

5.6%

20–24

5.0%

25–34

12.1%

35–44

11.5%

45–54

12.9%

55–59

6.9%

60–64

8.4%

65–74

11.5%

75–84

7.2%

85+

1.8%

Children (under 15): 17.1% · Seniors (65+): 20.5%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$51,852$-10,175 vs state
Mean household income	$71,247
Per-capita income	$29,268
Poverty rate	13.4%+2.1% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.7%
Employment-to-population	47.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

30.3%

Professional & business services

15.9%

Construction

12.4%

Retail trade

6.7%

Finance & real estate

5.4%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.2%

Information

4.3%

Education & health care

4.2%

The largest employment sector in Clay County is manufacturing, accounting for 30.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.4%

Drive alone

1.3%

Carpool

80.4%

Public transit

4.6%

Work from home

27.2 min

Avg commute

Housing

$144,700$-50,400 vs state

Median home value

$624

Median rent

77.7%

Homeownership rate

7,072

Total housing units

81.5%

Occupied

18.5%

Vacant

22.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.6%

With health insurance

86.9%

With broadband internet

18.2%

Foreign-born

6.1%

Veterans (18+)

19.7%

With a disability

96.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

82.8%

High School+

15.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Alabama

Huntsville (218,814)Birmingham (199,322)Montgomery (198,440)Mobile (185,097)Tuscaloosa (107,699)Hoover (92,401)Auburn (78,738)Dothan (71,118)Madison (58,335)Decatur (57,760)All Alabama cities →

Other counties in Alabama

Jefferson County (669,744)Mobile County (413,162)Madison County (397,135)Baldwin County (239,945)Tuscaloosa County (234,036)Montgomery County (227,197)Shelby County (226,955)Lee County (177,663)Morgan County (123,742)Calhoun County (116,141)All Alabama counties →

Part of Alabama

Alabama demographic profile All Alabama data →

Metro areas in Alabama

Birmingham (1,181,432)Huntsville (504,712)Mobile (413,162)Montgomery (385,159)Columbus (326,136)Tuscaloosa (275,217)Daphne (239,945)Auburn (196,614)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Clay County, Alabama has a population of 14,188 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 56th-largest county in Alabama. Population density is 23 people per square mile.

The population of Clay County has grown 2.5% since 2010 (13,897 → 14,239), a +0.17% annualized rate.

The median household income in Clay County, Alabama is $51,852, with mean (average) household income of $71,247 and per-capita income of $29,268. 13.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Clay County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (80.5%), Black or African American (13.0%), Hispanic or Latino (0.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Clay County, Alabama is 43.8 years. Residents are 51.8% female and 48.2% male.

The median home value in Clay County is $144,700 and median monthly rent is $624. 77.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,072 total housing units, 18.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Clay County, Alabama is manufacturing, employing 30.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.7%.

Huntsville is among the largest cities associated with Clay County, Alabama, with a population of 218,814.