County · Iowa
Clayton County, Iowa
Clayton County, Iowa. Clayton County had 16,845 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 18 places (18 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19043.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,845
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,043 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,013
Median household income
$67,242
±$4,606 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$168,500
±$5,186 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$790
±$34 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Clayton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,043 residents in Clayton County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,845 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,013 over 778 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clayton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,013 | 3,210,507 | −612 |
| Households | 7,509±195 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,796±39 | 1,437,699 | −326 |
Clayton County's population since 2000
From 18,678 in 2000 to 16,845 in 2025: down 9.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Clayton County?
Clayton County holds 18 places: 18 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Guttenberg with 1,789 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Guttenberg | 1,817 | $57,599 |
|---|---|---|
| Monona | 1,471 | $74,286 |
| Elkader | 1,209 | $62,857 |
| Strawberry Point | 1,155 | $57,778 |
| Garnavillo | 763 | $75,357 |
| McGregor | 742 | $57,361 |
| Marquette | 429 | $42,292 |
| Luana | 301 | $76,750 |
| Edgewood | 909 | $61,625 |
| Postville | 2,503 | $49,485 |
| Farmersburg | 271 | $51,667 |
| VolgaGEOID 1981345 | 203 | $54,063 |
| North Buena VistaGEOID 1957135 | 109 | $51,719 |
| St. OlafGEOID 1970140 | 106 | $98,125 |
| GarberGEOID 1929685 | 76 | $49,821 |
| ClaytonGEOID 1913845 | 45 | $47,917 |
| OsterdockGEOID 1960015 | 43 | $51,467 |
| ElkportGEOID 1924825 | 29 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clayton County?
The median resident of Clayton County is 46.4 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 25.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.3%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clayton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4±0.4 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.6%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.0%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 7.3% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.0%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.7%±2.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4%±2.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±1.5 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.5%±1.5 pts | 31.4% | −3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.9%±0.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Clayton County's 7,509 households earn less than $67,242 a year (±$4,606), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $65,414 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clayton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,242±$4,606 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,441±$4,736 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,594±$1,945 | $40,877 | +$3,773 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.9%±1.6 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.4%±3.8 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.7%±1.3 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±2.0 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 78.0% of Clayton County's occupied homes and renters 22.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,500 by its owner (±$5,186). The median renter pays $790 a month including utilities, and 36.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clayton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,500±$5,186 | $208,000 | +$18,725 |
| Median gross rent | $790±$34 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.3%±7.2 pts | 35.2% | +9.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,354±$60 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.0%±2.4 pts | 71.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Housing units | 8,796±39 | 1,437,699 | −326 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±1.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.2%±2.2 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.6%±2.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 many new homes is Clayton County building?
Builders took permits for 55 new housing units across Clayton County in 2025 (53 single-family), 3.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Clayton County get to work?
76.4% of Clayton County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Clayton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.7%±1.8 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±1.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±1.5 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
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 are Clayton County's census tracts?
Clayton County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,625 (Tract 701) to $76,161 (Tract 702).
| Tract 70119043070100 | 2,804±239 | $57,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 70219043070200 | 3,316±309 | $76,161 |
| Tract 70319043070300 | 3,286±264 | $72,813 |
| Tract 70419043070400 | 2,429±263 | $60,648 |
| Tract 70519043070500 | 2,162±254 | $68,487 |
| Tract 70619043070600 | 3,016±335 | $68,077 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clayton County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 41st of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 52nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 68th of 99 |
| Median household income | 71st of 99 |
| Median home value | 42nd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 61st of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 44th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 99th of 99 |
| Median age | 5th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.