Clayton, MO Demographics

A map of Clayton's Population by Race

Clayton, Missouri has an estimated population of 17,380, a less than 1% change from the 17,355 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.6% White, 13.3% Asian, 8.7% Black, 7.0% Multiracial, 3.7% Hispanic, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Clayton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Clayton has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Clayton, that probability was 48.3% in 2020 and 52.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Clayton is ranked the 50th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Clayton was ranked the 49th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Clayton's White Population

11,572 residents of Clayton, or 66.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Clayton is lower than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Clayton ranks 975th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's White population has declined by an estimated 4.8%. White residents' share of Clayton's population has decreased from 70.0% to 66.6%.

Clayton is more White than neighboring University City (50.4% White), and Hanley Hills (18.5% White). Clayton is less White than neighboring Richmond Heights (81.5% White), Brentwood (77.9% White), and Maplewood (71.4% White).

Clayton's Black Population

1,510 residents of Clayton, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Clayton is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Clayton ranks 122nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Black population has grown by an estimated 9.7%. Black residents' share of Clayton's population has increased from 7.9% to 8.7%.

Clayton is more Black than neighboring Richmond Heights (7.3% Black), and Brentwood (2.9% Black). Clayton is less Black than neighboring University City (30.9% Black), Maplewood (10.2% Black), and Hanley Hills (68.1% Black).

Clayton's Asian Population

2,306 residents of Clayton, or 13.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Clayton is considerably higher than in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Clayton ranks 5th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Asian residents' share of Clayton's population has increased from 12.8% to 13.3%.

Clayton is more Asian than neighboring Richmond Heights (3.8% Asian), University City (7.9% Asian), Brentwood (7.1% Asian), Maplewood (5.7% Asian), and Hanley Hills (0% Asian).

Clayton's Hispanic Population

644 residents of Clayton, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Clayton is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Clayton ranks 247th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 7.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Clayton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.7%.

Clayton is more Hispanic than neighboring Richmond Heights (3.3% Hispanic), Brentwood (1.4% Hispanic), and Maplewood (2.2% Hispanic). Clayton is less Hispanic than neighboring University City (5% Hispanic), and Hanley Hills (8.7% Hispanic).

Clayton's Native American/Other Population

136 residents of Clayton, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Clayton is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Clayton ranks 596th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 52.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Clayton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Clayton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Richmond Heights (0.2% Native American/Other), Brentwood (0.4% Native American/Other), and Maplewood (0.3% Native American/Other). Clayton is less Native American/Other than neighboring University City (1.1% Native American/Other), and Hanley Hills (2.3% Native American/Other).

Clayton's Multiracial Population

1,212 residents of Clayton, or 7.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Clayton is slightly higher than in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Clayton ranks 546th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 49.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Clayton's population has increased from 4.7% to 7.0%.

Clayton is more Multiracial than neighboring Richmond Heights (3.9% Multiracial), University City (4.7% Multiracial), and Hanley Hills (2.5% Multiracial). Clayton is less Multiracial than neighboring Brentwood (10.3% Multiracial), and Maplewood (10.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.