Population
12,239
2025
+9.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Clay County, NC growth snapshot
Clay County had an estimated 12,239 residents in 2025, up 9.9% (1,098 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 25th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+324
2025
26.5 per 1,000 residents
+1,455 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
2,233
2025
+12.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$945
2025
+39.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
2025
−0.3 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
108
2025
+24.1% since 2021
8.8 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$56,971
2020–24
+35.1% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
1,822
2023
+6.7% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 324 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 2,233 jobs in 2025, +12.7% since 2020 (42nd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $945.
Unemployment averaged 3.7% in 2025, 0.3 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 108 new homes in 2025, or 8.8 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $56,971 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +35.1% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 204th.
Clay County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,239 | +273 |
| 2024 | 11,966 | +136 |
| 2023 | 11,830 | +236 |
| 2022 | 11,594 | +218 |
| 2021 | 11,376 | +235 |
| 2020 | 11,141 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Clay County
Clay County grew by 1,098 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+1,455).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −45 | −371 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | −3 | +8 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +324 | +1,455 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −3 | +6 | |
| Total change | +273 | +1,098 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 16th of 100 | 204th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 2nd of 100 | 48th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 50th of 100 | 1,007th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 66th of 100 | 2,305th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 68th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 37th of 100 | 1,199th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 21st of 100 | 201st of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Clay County's population change (+9.9%) was ahead of 4 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Union County, GA).
4 of its 5 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Clay County's $56,971 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County, NC This county | 12,239 | +9.9% | 26.5 | 8.8 | $56,971 |
| Towns County, GA | 13,285 | +5.8% | 19.8 | 6.3 | $59,135 |
| Macon County, NC | 39,232 | +5.8% | 15.5 | 6.4 | $59,061 |
| Cherokee County, NC | 30,830 | +6.8% | 16.6 | 7.8 | $53,628 |
| Union County, GA | 27,859 | +12.3% | 16.9 | 9.5 | $66,176 |
| Rabun County, GA | 17,764 | +5.0% | 7.9 | 7.2 | $67,493 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Clay County?
About 12,239 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Clay County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 9.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 1,098 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 25th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Clay County?
On net, about 324 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Clay County?
Employers there reported 2,233 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +12.7% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $945 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Clay County?
It averaged 3.7% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Clay County?
Building permits authorized 108 new housing units in 2025, 8.8 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Clay County?
$56,971 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Clay County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 16th of 100 for population growth; 2nd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 50th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 66th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 204th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.