City profile · Delaware · Census ACS 2023

Clayton, DE

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Clayton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,086
Residents
$103,211
Median income
$343,700
Median home
$1,470
Median rent (state)

Clayton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Clayton places in the 80th percentile for household income and the 80th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

80th
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
58th
percentile, median rent
80th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Clayton, DE

Clayton is a small town in Delaware, home to 4,086 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Clayton households earn a median of $103,211 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.2%. Clayton's housing stock carries a median value of $343,700, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. About 28.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 13 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 74% from five years earlier. Clayton reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 616.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Delaware tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Delaware scores 99.8 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,470 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $243 across Delaware, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 84.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

4,086 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Delaware

Median Household Income

$103,211 /yr

Poverty 3.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

99.8 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Delaware average

How does Clayton compare to other US cities?

Where Clayton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 80% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 58% pricier than other cities
Safety 80% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Delaware alone, Clayton ranks #2 of 31 Delaware cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Clayton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Delaware only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Delaware-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent sits close to the middle of Delaware's city distribution

Among the 79 Delaware cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Clayton ranks #27 - the 33rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Clayton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#18 of 77
77th percentile in Delaware
Median Gross Rent
#27 of 79
33rd percentile in Delaware
Median Home Value
#30 of 77
61st percentile in Delaware
Poverty Rate
#52 of 79
33rd percentile in Delaware
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#45 of 79
43rd percentile in Delaware

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Delaware only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

80thIncome percentile
80thSafety percentile

80th percentile nationally for median household income · 80th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Clayton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Clayton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Clayton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Clayton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$343,700 29th percentile more affordable than 29% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Clayton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Clayton, DE Clayton, DE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Clayton, DE-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Clayton, DE median $103,211/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Clayton, DE's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Clayton, DE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,086
Median Income
$103,211
Median Home Value
$343,700
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Labor force participation
67.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
616.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
110.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
506.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,800 residents4,000 residents4,200 residents4,400 residents4,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,991 residents 4,527 residents ▲ +13.4%
Clayton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
13
housing units authorized
Single-Family
13
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 50
2020 29
2021 94
2022 70
2023 43
2024 13

Permit volume decreased 74% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.1%
Carpool
22.2%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
8.0%

Based on 1,855 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Delaware - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$243
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Delaware state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Delaware state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Clayton sits in

Cost of Living Index
99.8
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,470/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Delaware

Laurel
4,043 people
Camden
4,011 people
Rising Sun-Lebanon
4,195 people
Harrington
3,805 people
Highland Acres
3,661 people
Milton
3,469 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Clayton's 4,086 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Trent Woods, NC
4,086 people
Green Oaks, IL
4,085 people
Fenton, MO
4,087 people
Armona, CA
4,084 people
Riverdale, NJ
4,084 people
North Muskegon, MI
4,089 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Clayton's $103,211 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hillsboro, OR
$103,207 median income
Channel Islands Beach, CA
$103,219 median income
Dexter, MI
$103,182 median income
Marshallton CDP (Chester County), PA
$103,182 median income
Montverde, FL
$103,250 median income
Jim Falls, WI
$103,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Clayton, DE Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Clayton, DE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 44.5% 44.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.6% White 44.5% Black or African American 44.4% Asian 2.7% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 5.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Clayton compares to nearby Delaware cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Clayton (this city) 4,086 $103,211
Laurel 4,043 $44,593
Camden 4,011 $61,895
Rising Sun-Lebanon 4,195 $109,167
Census ACS 5-year FIPS DE FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Clayton, DE?

What is the population of Clayton, DE? +

Clayton, DE has a population of 4,086 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Clayton, DE? +

Median annual household income in Clayton runs $103,211, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Clayton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Clayton; the closest available measure is the Delaware state average, a cost of living index of 99.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Delaware vary by metro area.

Is Clayton, DE safe? +

Clayton has a total crime rate of 616.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Clayton, DE? +

The median home value in Clayton is $343,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.