Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
Clay County, AL exhibits a modest population growth rate of 0.2% over the past year, with a 13-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.1%. The median age in Clay County is notably higher at 43.9 years compared to the state median of 39.3 years, indicating an aging population. The county's age dependency ratio of 70.4 is also above the state average, reflecting a significant proportion of dependents, particularly the elderly, who make up 20.8% of the population. In comparison to other counties, Clay County's growth is slower than more dynamic areas like Madison and Baldwin counties, which have higher growth rates and younger median ages.
Total Population
14209
Sex Ratio
95.2 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
0.2 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
0.1 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
70.4 %
Median Age
43.9 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
20.8 %
Active Aging Index
124 %
Old Dependency Rate
35.4 %
Young Dependency Rate
34.9 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
Clay County, AL, with a total of 5,485 households, exhibits a unique demographic profile compared to other counties in Alabama. The county has a higher percentage of married-couple households (57.7%) than the state average (46.9%), indicating a strong family structure. However, it also shows a notable percentage of households with elderly residents (34.8%), which is above the state average of 31.9%. Despite these strengths, Clay County faces challenges with a negative household growth rate of -0.54% over the past year, contrasting with the state’s positive growth rate of 1.59%. This decline in household growth may reflect broader economic or social trends affecting rural areas in Alabama, where many counties are experiencing varying degrees of growth and demographic shifts.
Total Households
5485
Married-couple Household
3169
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
-0.54 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
1.59 %
Average Household Size
2.54 p
Average Family Size
3.07 p
Household with Children (%)
26.4 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
34.8 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
24.9 %
Now Married
57.5 %
Widowed
8.8 %
Divorced
8.7 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
Clay County, AL exhibits a predominantly White demographic, with 81.5% identifying as White, which is slightly below the Alabama state average of 66.2% and significantly higher than the national average of 65.9%. The county's Black population stands at 12.6%, closely mirroring the national figure of 12.5% but lower than Alabama's 26.4%. Notably, Clay County has a Hispanic population of 3.1%, which is lower than both the state (4.6%) and national (18.7%) averages. This demographic profile suggests a relatively homogenous community compared to more diverse urban counties in Alabama.
One Race
95.3 %
Two or More Races
4.7 %
Non-White
18.5 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
3.1 %
White
11581
Black
1790
Asian
36
Native American
5
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
Clay County, AL, exhibits a notably high percentage of U.S.-born residents at 99.4%, significantly surpassing the Alabama state average of 96.5% and the national average of 86.3%. The county's foreign-born population is minimal at just 0.6%, with a majority (76.1%) of these individuals being naturalized. In comparison to nearby counties, such as Jefferson and Mobile, which have foreign-born populations of 3.9% and 3.2% respectively, Clay County stands out for its homogeneity. This demographic profile suggests a tightly-knit community with limited cultural diversity compared to other regions in Alabama.
Native US Citizen
11581
Native US Citizen (%)
18.5 %
Born in Alabama (%)
83.1 %
Born in Other State (%)
15.8 %
Foreign Born (%)
0.6 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
76.1 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
6.4 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
45.7 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
54.3 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
0 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
71
Number of Adherents
9775
Adherents (% of Total Population)
68.8 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
68 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
Clay County, AL, exhibits a notable educational and economic profile compared to both state and national averages. With only 12.8% of the population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, it significantly lags behind Alabama's 27.2% and the national average of 34.3%. However, the county has shown improvement over the past decade, increasing from 9.2%. The median earnings of $40,988 are lower than the state median of $43,016 and the national median of $48,747, indicating economic challenges. Additionally, 35.7% of degree holders are in STEM fields, reflecting a focus on technical education, though still below the state average of 41.4%.