Clayton County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Clayton County, GA has a population of approximately 297,595. The racial composition is 69.4% Black or African American, 19.6% White, 6.0% Asian, 1.1% Two or More Races, and 0.3% Native American. Latino or Hispanic individuals account for 13.3% of the population. The median household income is $44,125. The county covers 143 square miles with a population density of roughly 2,078 people per square mile.

As of 2023, Clayton County, GA, has a median home value of around $180,000. The area has witnessed a steady increase in property values, averaging 6-8% annual growth. The median rent is approximately $1,250 per month. Homeownership rate stands at about 53%, with rental properties constituting the rest. The county features a range of housing options, from single-family homes to multifamily units. Notably, around 30% of homes were built between 1970 and 1999, indicating a mix of older and newer constructions.

As of the most recent data for Clayton County, GA, the key elections include the 2023 municipal elections and the 2022 federal midterms. In 2023, several local positions are contested, such as city council seats and mayoral races in cities like Jonesboro and Morrow.

In the 2022 midterms, Clayton County, known for its Democratic leaning, reported the following statistics:

• Eligible Voters: Approximately 211,000
• Voter Turnout: Around 45.2%

Key candidates in the 2022 midterms included:

• U.S. Senate:

  • Raphael Warnock (D) - Incumbent
  • Herschel Walker (R)

• U.S. House, District 5:

  • Nikema Williams (D) - Incumbent
  • Christian Zimm (R)

• Governor:

  • Stacey Abrams (D)
  • Brian Kemp (R) - Incumbent

Local results reflect a heavy Democratic preference, with candidates like Warnock and Williams winning significant majorities.

As of the latest data, Clayton County, GA shows the following educational attainment levels for residents aged 25 and older:

• High school graduates or higher: 83.7%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 17.5%

In comparison, the national average for high school graduates is approximately 88.5%, and for bachelor's degree holders, it is about 33.1%. Georgia state averages are 87.4% for high school graduates and 31.3% for those with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Therefore, Clayton County falls below both national and state averages in educational attainment. High school graduation rates in Clayton County are slightly lower than state and significantly lower than the national levels. For bachelor's degrees, the county lags behind both the Georgia and national averages more notably.

As of the most recent data, Clayton County, GA has a labor force participation rate of around 62%, which is slightly lower than the national average of approximately 63%. The unemployment rate in Clayton County stands at about 4.6%, which is higher than the national average of around 3.5% and the Georgia state average of 3.7%.

Top industries in Clayton County include transportation and warehousing, owing to its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, followed by healthcare, education, and retail trade. For comparison, nationally, the top industries are healthcare, retail, and professional services.

Employment in Clayton County's transportation and warehousing sector is significantly higher than the national and state averages due to the centrality of the airport and logistics hubs in the area. Healthcare and education sectors are comparable to state and national figures, whereas retail trade employment is slightly lower than the national average.

As of the latest data available, Clayton County, GA, has a median household income of approximately $45,000 to $50,000. This is significantly below both the national and Georgia state averages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the United States stands at around $68,700 (2021), while Georgia’s median is around $61,200. This comparison highlights a notable disparity between Clayton County and broader income metrics.

This data underscores the economic challenges that may be unique to Clayton County, compared to state and national levels.

As of the latest available data, Clayton County, GA has observed varied crime rates across different categories. Here’s a summary of the most recent statistics:

Clayton County experiences higher rates of property crimes compared to violent crimes. Larceny-theft constitutes the largest share of property crimes, while robbery is the most reported violent crime. These statistics highlight the areas of focus for local law enforcement and community safety initiatives.