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CITY

Clay

West Virginia · 363 residents (2025 est.) · 0.558 sq mi
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The short version

Population has fallen 36% since 2000, a loss of 215 residents. 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $44,300. At a median age of 30.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 77.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Younger
median age 30.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
4% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
378
−36%since 2000
from 593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
677 / sq mi
−36%since 2000
from 1,063 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
30.4
−14%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:363 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3454445426407391990201020202024Clay
2024378
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$8,406
−26%since 2000
from $11,415 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
7.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
77.8%
+38.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.641
+25%since 2010
from 0.512 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information43.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance15.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade12.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical12.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$44,300
−55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$665
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $276 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
22.4%
−25.9 ptssince 2000
from 48.3% in 2000
77.6% rent
Vacancy rate
46.1%
+25.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
85.6%
+35.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.7%(585)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.4%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(365)
Black0.5%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.9%(7)
Diversity Score8.4%(32)
Diversity Score
8
+1870%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
3.9%
−12.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+23.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
−5%since 2000
from 24.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.2%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
16.1%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% 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
58.6%
+39.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
13.4%
−31.9 ptssince 2011
from 45.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.5%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
12.5%
−47.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
64.0%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
36.0%
−18.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−42.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
−14.0 ptssince 2012
from 26.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.9%
−82.3 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.9%
+28.3 ptssince 2017
from 52.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 99.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Clay to nearby cities

CLAY VS
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Income$65,812
Home value$203,300+359%
Population46,117+12604%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY VS
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Income$63,884
Home value$155,400+251%
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CLAY VS
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Home value$153,800+247%
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CLAY VS
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Income$53,972
Home value$140,800+218%
Population10,210+2713%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay, West Virginia?

Clay, West Virginia has about 378 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Clay, West Virginia expensive?

In Clay, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $44,300, and the typical rent is about $665 a month.

How educated are people in Clay, West Virginia?

About 3.9% of adults age 25 and over in Clay, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clay, West Virginia?

About 77.8% of people in Clay, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clay, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Clay, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 228 residents, a change of about -38 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 →