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).

Clayton (marked with a dot) in Contra Costa County, California. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

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).

  • July 2020→2021 −74 (10,986)
  • 2021→2022 −108 (10,878)
  • 2022→2023 −29 (10,849)
  • 2023→2024 +38 (10,887)
  • 2024→2025 −45 (10,842)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure ClaytonContra Costa CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Total population 10,937 ±33 1,165,012 39,287,377 −1,146
Households 3,982 ±187 414,417 13,548,091 no clear change
Average household size 2.74 ±0.13 2.78 2.84 no clear change
Housing units 3,990 ±187 429,260 14,644,735 −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.

  • 2000 Census 10,762
  • 2005 (estimate) 10,823
  • 2010 Census 10,897
  • 2015 (estimate) 11,517
  • 2020 Census 11,070
  • 2025 (estimate) 10,842

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.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure ClaytonContra Costa CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median age 43.8 ±2.0 40.5 37.9 no clear change
Under 18 years 23.6% ±3.0 pts 22.0% 22.0% –
65 years and over 16.1% ±2.4 pts 17.1% 15.7% –
Male 49.4% ±3.3 pts 49.2% 49.9% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.5% ±3.1 pts 27.6% 40.2% no clear change
White alone, not Hispanic 63.0% ±5.4 pts 38.1% 33.8% −11.6 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 0.4% ±0.3 pts 7.9% 5.2% –
Asian alone, not Hispanic 12.7% ±4.6 pts 18.6% 15.3% +5.1 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.2% 0.3% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.4 pts 0.5% 0.3% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 9.5% ±3.2 pts 6.3% 4.4% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.8% ±0.6 pts 0.8% 0.6% –
Born outside the United States 13.4% ±2.7 pts 26.6% 27.0% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 12.1% ±3.9 pts 37.5% 44.4% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 4.0% ±1.1 pts 4.2% 4.3% –
With a disability 8.2% ±2.1 pts 11.1% 11.6% –
No health insurance coverage 1.9% ±1.6 pts 4.6% 6.6% –
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 99.0% ±0.6 pts 89.6% 84.7% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 59.1% ±5.0 pts 45.2% 37.1% no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 17.6% ±3.0 pts 17.7% 14.4% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 94.6% ±2.8 pts 90.0% 89.2% –
Moved from another state in the past year 0.5% ±0.5 pts 0.9% 1.1% –

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.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure ClaytonContra Costa CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $175,707 ±$11,928 $127,229 $99,122 −$18,457
Mean household income $207,457 ±$19,937 $174,872 $140,436 –
Per capita income $75,797 ±$7,863 $62,927 $49,513 no clear change
People below the poverty line 2.5% ±1.1 pts 8.4% 12.0% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 1.0% ±1.2 pts 10.0% 15.0% –
Households receiving SNAP 1.2% ±1.3 pts 8.5% 12.4% –
Households with a computer 98.4% ±1.4 pts 97.7% 96.9% –
Households with a broadband subscription 98.3% ±1.5 pts 95.6% 93.5% –

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.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure ClaytonContra Costa CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $1,055,200 ±$36,367 $866,800 $734,700 +$105,843
Median gross rent $3,500 or more $2,375 $2,036 +$268
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 34.8% ±23.3 pts 47.4% 46.0% –
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $3,693 ±$125 $3,435 $2,946 –
Owner-occupied homes 89.2% ±4.8 pts 68.0% 55.9% no clear change
Renter-occupied homes 10.8% ±4.8 pts 32.0% 44.1% –
Housing units 3,990 ±187 429,260 14,644,735 −375
Homeowner vacancy rate 0.0% ±1.2 pts 0.7% 0.8% –
Rental vacancy rate 0.0% ±9.4 pts 2.8% 4.2% –
Single-family detached homes 85.8% ±3.3 pts 67.5% 57.0% –
Mobile homes 0.0% ±1.1 pts 1.4% 3.5% –
Built 2020 or later 0.0% ±1.1 pts 1.1% 1.3% –
Built 2010 to 2019 0.6% ±0.6 pts 5.8% 6.5% –
Built 1939 or earlier 1.7% ±2.0 pts 4.2% 8.9% –
Households with no vehicle 3.7% ±2.2 pts 5.2% 7.1% –

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%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure ClaytonContra Costa CountyCalifornia Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 64.9% ±3.0 pts 64.7% 63.8% –
Unemployment rate 6.7% ±2.6 pts 6.5% 6.6% +3.6 pts
Drove alone to work 65.3% ±4.8 pts 59.7% 65.7% –
Carpooled 7.2% ±2.4 pts 10.0% 9.5% –
Public transportation 1.5% ±1.1 pts 5.4% 2.9% –
Walked 1.8% ±1.0 pts 1.8% 2.4% –
Worked from home 21.7% ±4.3 pts 21.3% 17.2% +13.5 pts
Mean travel time to work 35.5 min ±3.0 35.3 min 28.7 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).

Census tracts in Clayton, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Clayton
Tract 3553.08Contra Costa County3,521 $175,391 $997,60094%
Tract 3553.06Contra Costa County4,562 $162,019 $1,088,50065%
Tract 3553.07Contra Costa County4,526 $129,617 $987,40059%
Tract 3553.09Contra Costa County4,603 $190,882 $1,163,9009%
Tract 3553.10Contra Costa County2,837 $100,417 $785,10013%
Tract 3551.07Contra Costa County5,885 $151,845 $650,0001%

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.

Clayton's rank in California (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate366th483
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)260th469
Residents per square mile478th1,077
Median household income98th1,037
Per capita income165th1,073
Median home value212th1,054
Median gross rent1st987
Poverty rate833rd836
Bachelor's degree or higher160th988
Median age356th1,075
Owner-occupied share107th1,064
Work from home263rd822
Travel time to work157th1,069

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.