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CITY · 2020 ACS

Clay

West Virginia · 396 residents · 0.558 sq mi
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The short version

Clay has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $17,708. Population has fallen 33% since 2000, a loss of 197 residents. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $63,300. The poverty rate of 63.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 63% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
396
−33%since 2000
from 593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
710 / sq mi
−33%since 2000
from 1,063 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.1
+11%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3454445426407391990201020202024Clay
2024378
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$17,708
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $14,712 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2021
Per capita income
$9,037
−21%since 2000
from $11,415 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
3.1%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
63.6%
+24.5 ptssince 2000
from 39.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information23.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing16.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing16.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade13.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 10%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$63,300
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$576
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $276 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.9%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 48.3% in 2000
48.1% rent
Afford Score
3.6
−2%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2021
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(367)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(5)
Asian1%(4)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score5.9%(23)
Diversity Score
6
+1280%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.6%
−10.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.0%
+15.0 ptssince 2000
from 69.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.3 min
+43%since 2000
from 24.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.2%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
27.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
30.9%
−14.4 ptssince 2011
from 45.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.7%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.6%
−83.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Clay

Hickox
Pop 520
East Williston
Pop 520
Southport
Pop 873
Juliette
Pop 128
Places similar to Clay
Head to head

Compare Clay to nearby cities

CLAY VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+272%
Home value$203,300+221%
Population46,117+12604%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+261%
Home value$155,400+145%
Population13,072+3501%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY VS
Cross Lanes
Income$63,537+259%
Home value$153,800+143%
Population9,671+2564%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CLAY VS
St. Albans
Income$53,972+205%
Home value$140,800+122%
Population10,210+2713%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Clay, West Virginia?

Clay, West Virginia has about 396 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clay, West Virginia?

The typical household in Clay, West Virginia earns about $17,708 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clay, West Virginia expensive?

In Clay, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $63,300, and the typical rent is about $576 a month.

How educated are people in Clay, West Virginia?

About 5.6% 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 63.6% 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 210 residents, a change of about -35 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 →