City · California
Clayton, California
Clayton, city, in Contra Costa County, California. Clayton had 10,842 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,070 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 10,937 (±33). GEOID 0613882.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,842
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,070 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,937 ±33
Median household income
$175,707
±$11,928 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,055,200
±$36,367 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$3,500 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
California: $2,036
Where is Clayton and what county is it in?
Clayton is a city in Contra Costa County, California. It covers 3.8 square miles of land, 2,883 residents per square mile in 2020.
Clayton is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Clayton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 10,842 people lived in Clayton on July 1, 2025, down 2.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 11,070 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 10,937 (±33).
| Measure | Clayton | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,937±33 | 1,165,012 | −1,146 |
| Households | 3,982±187 | 414,417 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.74±0.13 | 2.78 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,990±187 | 429,260 | −375 |
Clayton's population since 2000
From 10,762 in 2000 to 10,842 in 2025: up 0.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Clayton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clayton?
The median resident of Clayton is 43.8 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 16.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 63.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.5%. 13.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clayton | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8±2.0 | 40.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.6%±3.0 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.1%±2.4 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 49.4%±3.3 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.5%±3.1 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 63.0%±5.4 pts | 38.1% | −11.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 12.7%±4.6 pts | 18.6% | +5.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.5%±3.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.4%±2.7 pts | 26.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.1%±3.9 pts | 37.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0%±1.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| With a disability | 8.2%±2.1 pts | 11.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.9%±1.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.0%±0.6 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 59.1%±5.0 pts | 45.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.6%±3.0 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 94.6%±2.8 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Clayton earn?
Half of Clayton's 3,982 households earn less than $175,707 a year (±$11,928), against $127,229 in Contra Costa County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $194,164 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $18,457 after inflation. 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clayton | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $175,707±$11,928 | $127,229 | −$18,457 |
| Mean household income | $207,457±$19,937 | $174,872 | – |
| Per capita income | $75,797±$7,863 | $62,927 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 2.5%±1.1 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.0%±1.2 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.2%±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.4%±1.4 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.3%±1.5 pts | 95.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Clayton?
Owners occupy 89.2% of Clayton's occupied homes and renters 10.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,055,200 by its owner (±$36,367). The median renter pays $3,500 or more a month including utilities.
| Measure | Clayton | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,055,200±$36,367 | $866,800 | +$105,843 |
| Median gross rent | $3,500 or more | $2,375 | +$268 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±23.3 pts | 47.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,693±$125 | $3,435 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89.2%±4.8 pts | 68.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 10.8%±4.8 pts | 32.0% | – |
| Housing units | 3,990±187 | 429,260 | −375 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±9.4 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.8%±3.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.7%±2.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.7%±2.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Clayton work and get to work?
65.3% of Clayton's workers drive alone and 21.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.7%.
| Measure | Clayton | Contra Costa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.9%±3.0 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.7%±2.6 pts | 6.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 65.3%±4.8 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2%±2.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±1.1 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.7%±4.3 pts | 21.3% | +13.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.5 min±3.0 | 35.3 min | −7.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Clayton?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Clayton, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $129,617 (Tract 3553.07) to $175,391 (Tract 3553.08).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3553.08Contra Costa County | 3,521 | $175,391 |
| Tract 3553.06Contra Costa County | 4,562 | $162,019 |
| Tract 3553.07Contra Costa County | 4,526 | $129,617 |
| Tract 3553.09Contra Costa County | 4,603 | $190,882 |
| Tract 3553.10Contra Costa County | 2,837 | $100,417 |
| Tract 3551.07Contra Costa County | 5,885 | $151,845 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Clayton) · Census block assignment files
How does Clayton compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Clayton is the 3,037th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 366th-most populous of 483 in California.
Clayton ranks 98th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 366th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 260th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 478th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 98th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 165th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 212th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 1st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 833rd | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 160th | 988 |
| Median age | 356th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 107th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 263rd | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 157th | 1,069 |
Clayton's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Clayton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Clayton?
16 of the 57 figures for Clayton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Clayton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Clayton.