CountyScore

Clayton County

Georgia · GA

#155 in Georgia
58.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clayton County, Georgia

Clayton ranks above national norm

Clayton County's composite score of 65.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 30%, placing it in the 79th percentile nationwide. The county demonstrates solid livability performance compared to most U.S. counties.

Below Georgia's state average

Clayton's score of 65.0 falls beneath Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's counties. The gap reflects mixed performance across livability dimensions.

Manageable taxes and cost balance

Clayton County scores 77.2 on taxes with an effective rate of 0.893%, and 66.8 on cost affordability. Median rent is $1,307/month and median home values are $194,500, offering reasonable accessibility.

Income opportunity lags behind

Clayton's income score of 21.6 reflects a median household income of $58,507, notably below state and national standards. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Suits moderate-income practical families

Clayton County appeals to families and individuals seeking balanced living with reasonable taxes and moderate housing costs. The county works well for those not requiring premium incomes but prioritizing practical affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax77.2Cost66.8SafetyComing SoonHealth56.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.6Risk13.3WaterComing Soon
🏛77.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Clayton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bethel Census Area
Alaska
58.5
Median income: $70,616
Grundy County
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58.5
Median income: $93,060
Lancaster County
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58.5
Median income: $83,703
Deaf Smith County
Texas
58.5
Median income: $54,114
Jim Hogg County
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58.5
Median income: $42,230

Deep Dives

Clayton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clayton County

via TaxByCounty

Clayton's rate is near national median

Clayton County's effective tax rate of 0.893% sits just above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the 57th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,737 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting median home values of $194,500 that are notably lower than the national average.

Close to Georgia average

Clayton's 0.893% effective rate is nearly identical to Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it a typical county statewide. The median tax of $1,737 exceeds Georgia's state median of $1,529 by about 14%, showing that Clayton residents pay moderately more than average state taxpayers.

Clayton falls in the middle

Clayton County's 0.893% rate sits between cheaper rural counties like Chattooga (0.855%) and pricier suburban peers like Cherokee (0.701%). As an Atlanta suburb with modest home values, Clayton represents a middle ground between the region's affluent and rural areas.

Budget around $1,740 annually

A Clayton homeowner with the median property value of $194,500 pays approximately $1,737 per year in property taxes. Adding mortgage and insurance costs brings the estimated annual burden to roughly $1,858.

Verify your home's true value

Clayton County's moderate tax rate still offers opportunities for savings if your assessment is inflated. Reviewing recent comparable sales in your neighborhood and filing an appeal if needed could reduce what you owe the county each year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clayton County

via CostByCounty

Clayton's affordability crisis mirrors nation

Clayton County's 26.8% rent-to-income ratio matches the worst U.S. markets, far exceeding the national average of roughly 21%. With median household income of $58,507 and rents of $1,307, residents dedicate nearly one-third of earnings to housing.

Clayton ranks among Georgia's least affordable

Clayton's 26.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's worst, exceeding the state average of 18.6% by over 8 percentage points. Median rent of $1,307 runs $380 above Georgia's average, compounding affordability pressures on metro Atlanta's south side.

Clayton's south Atlanta housing squeeze

Clayton renters pay $1,307 monthly—more than Clarke ($1,162) and nearly matching Chattahoochee ($1,235)—while earning less than both. The $194,500 median home value offers slightly lower entry points than Chatham ($273,300), but the affordability gap remains severe.

Renters bear Atlanta's affordability crisis

Renters spend 26.8% of income on housing while homeowners pay 23.8%, both well above comfortable thresholds. The median home value of $194,500 sits oddly high relative to median income, pushing homeownership out of reach for most renters.

Clayton demands high earners or patience.

Unless you earn significantly above Clayton's $58,507 median, this south Atlanta county poses real affordability challenges. Consider further south toward rural Georgia, or plan aggressive saving to bridge the gap between current rents and homeownership here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clayton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clayton trails the U.S. by 22%

Clayton County's median household income of $58,507 falls $16,248 below the national median of $74,755, a 22% deficit. This gap reflects Clayton's character as a southern metropolitan county with moderate income diversity and working-class employment base.

Slightly below Georgia's median

Clayton's $58,507 median sits $1,981 below Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it near the middle of Georgia's 159 counties. Per capita income of $26,826 trails the state average of $31,115, suggesting income inequality within the county.

Middle ground among south Georgia counties

Clayton earns more than Chattooga ($47,785), Clay ($48,715), Clarke ($52,267), Clinch ($55,549), and Chattahoochee ($59,221), but trails Chatham ($69,575) and lags well behind Cherokee ($105,442). The positioning reflects Clayton's status as a suburban-to-rural transition county south of Atlanta.

Housing costs create significant pressure

Clayton's rent-to-income ratio of 26.8% is the second-highest in this cluster, indicating stretched housing budgets for renters earning $58,507. With a median home value of $194,500—three times annual income—homeownership requires substantial savings discipline.

Target debt reduction and home equity

Clayton households should prioritize eliminating high-interest debt and building consistent savings before pursuing homeownership. Focus on down payment programs and first-time buyer assistance available through county and state agencies, which can make the median home price more accessible over 5-10 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clayton County

via HealthByCounty

Clayton's health outcome lags national trends

At 73.8 years, Clayton County's life expectancy falls about 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The county's 25.1% poor/fair health rate—among the highest in the data set—signals substantial health burden.

Slightly above Georgia average, high burden

Clayton's 73.8-year life expectancy barely edges above Georgia's 73.3-year state average, while its 25.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. The county faces significant health disparities despite meeting the state baseline.

Health challenges in metro Atlanta's shadow

Clayton's 73.8 years trails healthier Atlanta-area neighbors like Clarke (77.3 years) and Cherokee (79.4 years) but surpasses rural Chattooga (70.6 years). With just 25 primary care providers per 100K, Clayton has thin provider capacity relative to its health needs.

High uninsured rate, thin provider network

Clayton County's 15.5% uninsured rate sits above Georgia's 15.0% state average, leaving more than 1 in 15 residents without coverage. At 25 primary care providers per 100K and 82 mental health providers per 100K, access remains below what the county's health burden demands.

Coverage is critical in Clayton

With 15.5% uninsured and high health burden, Clayton residents need insurance now more than ever. Visit healthcare.gov to explore plans; many Clayton residents qualify for reduced premiums and cost-sharing based on income.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clayton County

via RiskByCounty

Clayton faces significant disaster exposure

Clayton County's composite risk score of 86.74 places it well above the national average with a relatively moderate risk rating, indicating substantial multi-hazard exposure. Tornado risk (95.83) is exceptionally high, while flood (87.79), earthquake (84.86), and hurricane (64.12) risks are all elevated. This Atlanta metro county sits at the intersection of multiple natural hazard zones.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Clayton's 86.74 composite score ranks it among Georgia's top-risk counties, more than double the state average of 39.49. The county's tornado risk (95.83) is among Georgia's absolute highest, while flood risk (87.79) reflects both hydrologic hazards and rapid urbanization. Clayton's metro Atlanta location concentrates population exposure to these formidable natural hazards.

Riskier than most regional peers

Clayton's 86.74 score nearly matches Cherokee (85.27) and trails only Chatham (97.42) among major Georgia counties, significantly exceeding Clarke (66.95) and all low-risk counties. Within the metro Atlanta context, Clayton ranks among the riskier counties. This distinction reflects the county's position in Georgia's tornado corridor and exposure to Flint River flooding.

Tornadoes dominate with flooding close

Tornado risk (95.83) is Clayton's critical hazard, with the county sitting squarely in Georgia's severe weather corridor and experiencing frequent spring severe thunderstorms and occasional strong rotation. Flood risk (87.79) ranks nearly equal, particularly along the Flint River and in urbanizing floodplain areas. Together, these hazards pose the greatest threats to county residents and property.

Tornado shelter and aggressive flood planning essential

Confirm comprehensive wind and hail coverage in your homeowners policy for tornado protection, and prioritize flood insurance through NFIP for any property within a mapped floodplain—Clayton's 87.79 flood score makes this non-negotiable for vulnerable properties. With a 95.83 tornado risk score, establishing a safe room or basement shelter and practicing family tornado drills is essential. Review evacuation routes and community warning systems twice annually given the county's dual exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.