Clayton County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clayton County
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Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro
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Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
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 Georgia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Georgia |
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| Founded | November 30, 1858 | ||
| Named for | Augustin Smith Clayton | ||
| Seat | Jonesboro | ||
| Largest city | Forest Park | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 144 sq mi (370 km2) | ||
| • Land | 142 sq mi (370 km2) | ||
| • Water | 2.8 sq mi (7 km2) 1.9%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 297,595 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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298,300  |
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| • Density | 2,101/sq mi (811/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional districts | 5th, 13th | ||
Clayton County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 297,595 by the U.S. Census Bureau. The county seat is Jonesboro.
Clayton County is included in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and it is the fifth most-populous county in the state. It is the home of most of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world by total passengers.
Contents
History
The county was established in 1858 and named in honor of Augustin Smith Clayton (1783–1839), who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1832 until 1835.
Clayton County was a battle site during the American Civil War, with the Battle of Jonesborough and the Battle of Lovejoy's Station taking place in the area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 144 square miles (370 km2), of which 142 square miles (370 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (1.9%) is water. It is the third-smallest county by area in Georgia.
The eastern portion of Clayton County, between Forest Park and Lovejoy, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The western portion of the county is located in the Upper Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).
Adjacent counties
- DeKalb County (northeast)
- Henry County (east)
- Spalding County (south)
- Fayette County (southwest)
- Fulton County (northwest)
Communities
Cities
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 4,466 | — | |
| 1870 | 5,477 | 22.6% | |
| 1880 | 8,027 | 46.6% | |
| 1890 | 8,295 | 3.3% | |
| 1900 | 9,598 | 15.7% | |
| 1910 | 10,453 | 8.9% | |
| 1920 | 11,159 | 6.8% | |
| 1930 | 10,260 | −8.1% | |
| 1940 | 11,655 | 13.6% | |
| 1950 | 22,872 | 96.2% | |
| 1960 | 46,365 | 102.7% | |
| 1970 | 98,043 | 111.5% | |
| 1980 | 150,357 | 53.4% | |
| 1990 | 182,052 | 21.1% | |
| 2000 | 236,517 | 29.9% | |
| 2010 | 259,424 | 9.7% | |
| 2020 | 297,595 | 14.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 298,300 | 15.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 2020 |
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| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 82,637 | 36,610 | 25,902 | 34.94% | 14.11% | 8.70% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 120,816 | 169,020 | 205,301 | 51.08% | 65.15% | 68.99% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 545 | 562 | 601 | 0.23% | 0.22% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 10,562 | 12,839 | 13,491 | 4.47% | 4.95% | 4.53% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 126 | 103 | 119 | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 513 | 467 | 1,800 | 0.22% | 0.18% | 0.60% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 3,590 | 4,376 | 7,835 | 1.52% | 1.69% | 2.63% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17,728 | 35,447 | 42,546 | 7.50% | 13.66% | 14.30% |
| Total | 236,517 | 259,424 | 297,595 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
At the 2020 United States census, there were 297,595 people, 97,030 households, and 62,746 families residing in the county. In 2000, it had a population of 236,517.
In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 66.1% Black or African American, 18.87% non-Hispanic white, 5.0% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.66% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 4.9% were "American". By 2020, its makeup was 68.99% Black or African American, 8.70% non-Hispanic white, 0.20% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.53% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% some other race, 2.63% multiracial, and 14.30% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The last quarter-century has seen significant change in the racial composition of the county's population. In 1980, Clayton county's population was 150,357 — 91% white and 9% minority, while in 2006 the population was approximately 271,240 — 20% white and 80% minority.
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $43,311, and the median income for a family was $48,064. Males had a median income of $36,177 and $32,460 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,958. About 13.6% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over. In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $42,697, and the median income for a family was $46,782. Males had a median income of $32,118 versus $26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,079. About 8.20% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The unemployment rate in Clayton County was 3.4% as of November 2019. Future job growth over the next ten years was predicted to be at 29.90%. Clayton County's sales tax rate is 8.00%. The income tax is 6.00%. Clayton County's income and salaries per capita is $18,735, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $39,699.
ValuJet Airlines was headquartered in northern, unincorporated Clayton County, near Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in the 1990s.
Education
2008 de-accreditation
The 50,000-student school system was the first in the nation to lose accreditation since 1969. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) revoked the school district's accreditation on August 28, 2008. It was only the second system in the nation to do so since 1960. A grand jury investigated and considered possible criminal indictments against the Clayton County School Board. At issue was whether the school board committed malfeasance in ignoring the shortcomings of the school system and violating its own rules concerning the awarding of bids of contracts.
School Board Chairwoman Ericka Davis announced her resignation on April 2, 2008, amidst the allegations. Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell called for the resignations of all Clayton County School Board members. Amid controversy and orders for the police to quiet citizens, the Clayton County School Board hired a new temporary superintendent on April 26, 2008. This was despite the fact that the new superintendent did not meet the qualifications set forth by SACS.
The Clayton County Public School System was re-accredited by SACS on May 1, 2009.
Higher education
Clayton State University is located in Morrow.
Media
- Clayton Crescent: news about Clayton County and adjoining areas, part of the Institute for Nonprofit News
- Clayton News (formerly Clayton News-Daily): county legal organ, part of the Southern Community Newspapers, Inc. chain
- South Atlanta Magazine: lifestyle and profiles magazine focusing on Clayton County
- CCTV23: Clayton County government access television (Ch. 23 on Xfinity, Ch. 99 on AT&T UVerse)
Transportation
Airports
Major highways
Interstate 75
Interstate 85
Interstate 285
Interstate 675
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 23
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 41
State Route 3
State Route 3 Connector
State Route 42
State Route 54
State Route 85
State Route 138
State Route 138 Spur
State Route 139
State Route 314
State Route 331
State Route 401 (unsigned designation for I-75)
State Route 403 (unsigned designation for I-85)
State Route 407 (unsigned designation for I-285)
State Route 413 (unsigned designation for I-675)
Mass transit
Bus
MARTA and Xpress GA / RTA commuter buses serve the county.
Rail
Commuter rail service is proposed to serve Clayton County along the Norfolk Southern line, with proposed stations in Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, and initially ending at Lovejoy.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Airport station is located in Clayton.
Pedestrians and cycling
- Jesters Creek Trail
- Morrow Trail
- Clayton Connects
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Clayton (Georgia) para niños
