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CITY

Clay City

Kentucky · 1,174 residents (2025 est.) · 1.059 sq mi
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The short version

Clay City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $23,816. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $63,500. The poverty rate of 39.5% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 23%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,204
−8%since 2000
from 1,303 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,137 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,230 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.8
+24%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,174 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Clay City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$23,816
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $18,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,410
+62%since 2000
from $10,745 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
15.7%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
39.5%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 32.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
−1%since 2010
from 0.495 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information29.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade13%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade12.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$63,500
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$666
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
41.3%
−15.6 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
58.7% rent
Vacancy rate
13.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
42.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.2%
−22.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+11%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
15
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(1,280)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.7%(35)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(1,102)
Black1.5%(18)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(27)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.7%(57)
Diversity Score19.9%(240)
Diversity Score
20
+643%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
64.5%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 53.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 1.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+9%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.7%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−15.5 ptssince 2011
from 20.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.0%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 47.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.9%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
54.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.8%
−49.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
38.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 34.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.5%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 78.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
70.0%
+17.2 ptssince 2017
from 52.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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CLAY CITY VS
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CLAY CITY VS
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CLAY CITY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay City, Kentucky?

Clay City, Kentucky has about 1,204 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clay City, Kentucky?

The typical household in Clay City, Kentucky earns about $23,816 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay City, Kentucky expensive?

In Clay City, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $63,500, and the typical rent is about $666 a month.

How educated are people in Clay City, Kentucky?

About 5.0% of adults age 25 and over in Clay City, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay City, Kentucky?

About 39.5% of people in Clay City, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay City, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay City, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 54 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →