1st Advantage MortgageThe median Clayton County household earns $59,806, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Clayton County, GA: the basics
- Clayton County housing compared with Georgia
- Where Clayton County works
- Clayton County's most unusual numbers
- Household income in Clayton County
- Clayton County and the counties next door
- Places inside Clayton County
- More Clayton County figures
- What the numbers mean for Clayton County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in Clayton County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Clayton County
- More guides for Clayton County
- Frequently asked questions
Clayton County, GA: the basics
With an estimated 298,924 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Clayton County ranks 6th of 159 in Georgia for population. Clayton County spans 142 square miles; with 298,924 people, that is 2,109.5 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (7 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Forest Park, with about 19,504 residents, or 7% of the county.
Clayton County housing compared with Georgia
$1,433 a month is the median gross rent in Clayton County, 3% above the state. By the Census definition, 63% of Clayton County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $222,300; median income $59,806; ratio 3.7. 55% of Clayton County households own their home and 45% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1989. Against the median U.S. county, Clayton County rent is 63% above.
| Home costs | Clayton County | Georgia | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 55% | 66% | -11.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 63% | 52% | +10.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 26% | +9.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 7.8% | -5.2 pts |
| Median home value | $222,300 | $303,300 | 27% lower |
| Vacant units | 8% | 10% | -2.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,433/mo | $1,393/mo | 3% higher |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Where Clayton County works
Education and health care (19%), transportation, warehousing and utilities (15%) and retail trade (11%) lead Clayton County's job mix. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (15% against 7%). Unemployment in Clayton County, ACS five-year: 7.2%; Georgia: 5.1%. 13% of Clayton County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 23% need 45 or more. 7.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Clayton County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 14.8% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.9% | -2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% | -2.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Clayton County's most unusual numbers
Where Clayton County lands at the extremes of Georgia's county rankings:
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 63% in Clayton County. Only 4 of 159 Georgia counties are higher. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
- On population, Clayton County sits near the top of Georgia at 298,924, 6th highest of 159. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- On median age, Clayton County sits near the bottom of Georgia at 33.7, 8th lowest of 159. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- On the share of mobile homes, Clayton County sits near the bottom of Georgia at 2.7%, 9th lowest of 159. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
Household income in Clayton County
Clayton County households have a median income of $59,806 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 69th of 159 in Georgia.
| Household income | Clayton County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +8.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -7.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Clayton County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. Clayton County counts about 53,648 residents below the poverty line, 17.9% of the population. Clayton County scores 0.425 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Clayton County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Clayton County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clayton County's, from 11 to 23 miles away. Clayton County's $59,806 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $62,071 (Spalding County) to $111,978 (Fayette County).
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton County | - | $59,806 | $1,433/mo | 55% |
| Fayette County, GA | 11 mi | $111,978 | $1,898/mo | 80% |
| Henry County, GA | 16 mi | $83,146 | $1,674/mo | 75% |
| Fulton County, GA | 17 mi | $95,292 | $1,732/mo | 54% |
| DeKalb County, GA | 19 mi | $80,644 | $1,692/mo | 59% |
| Spalding County, GA | 21 mi | $62,071 | $1,113/mo | 63% |
| Douglas County, GA | 23 mi | $82,984 | $1,570/mo | 67% |
Places inside Clayton County
94,218 of Clayton County's 298,924 residents live in its 10 Census places (32%); the 10 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $32,482, Morrow over Forest Park. Rent is cheapest in Jonesboro ($1,068) and steepest in Irondale ($1,741). Forest Park and every other Clayton County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Park | city | 19,504 | $41,211 | $1,189 | 6 mi |
| Riverdale | city | 14,792 | $63,455 | $1,360 | 1 mi |
| College Park | city | 14,712 | $51,635 | $1,207 | 7 mi |
| Lovejoy | city | 11,508 | $71,612 | $1,481 | 9 mi |
| Irondale | CDP | 9,185 | $55,030 | $1,741 | 5 mi |
| Morrow | city | 6,364 | $73,693 | $1,515 | 5 mi |
| Jonesboro | city | 6,143 | $50,843 | $1,068 | 4 mi |
| Conley | CDP | 5,822 | $44,056 | $1,264 | 8 mi |
| Bonanza | CDP | 3,279 | $60,260 | $1,559 | 8 mi |
| Lake City | city | 2,909 | $54,464 | $1,133 | 6 mi |
More Clayton County figures
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 17.0% of Clayton County residents are uninsured.
| Clayton County | vs Georgia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | -12.4 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Work from home | 10.6% | -5.3 pts | +1.9 pts |
| No health insurance | 17.0% | +4.7 pts | +9.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | +4.6 pts | +4.8 pts |
| Median age | 33.7 | -3.9 yrs | -7.8 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | +3.8 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | +2.1 pts | +2.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | +1.2 pts | +1.6 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 12.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
What the numbers mean for Clayton County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Clayton County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Clayton County. For the 17% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Long drives. With 23% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Clayton County budgets.
- 63% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Room for a loan payment in Clayton County
DTI math using Clayton County medians ($59,806 income, $1,433 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,984 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,433, takes 29% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $361 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $710 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Clayton County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Clayton County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Clayton County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Nationally, Clayton County residents can file with the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
More guides for Clayton County
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Clayton County household make?
About $59,806 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 23% below the Georgia median.
What is the median rent in Clayton County, GA?
$1,433 a month, utilities included, or $17,196 a year.
Is Lake City covered?
Yes. Lake City is one of 10 Census places in Clayton County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does living in Clayton County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Clayton County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Clayton County?
Look it up with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.