Clayton, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Clayton is a small city in New Jersey with a population of 8,867. Residents earn $89,375 per year, which is 19% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
8,867 Population 1,252/sq mi density
$89,375 Median Income $38,638 per capita
$244,800 Home Value $317,422 Zillow
$1,204 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
61 Violent Crime/100K 1,931 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$89,375 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$244,800 home value, $1,204/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
61 violent crimes/100K (84% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $89,375
19% higher than US avg
Home Value $244,800
13% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 61/100K
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,204
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.3%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.9%
77% lower than US avg

How Clayton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,867
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density1,252/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A+
Median Income$89,375
Per Capita$38,638
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty2.9%
County GDP$19,111M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$244,800
Rent$1,204
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$317,422

Crime

F
Violent61/100K
Property1,931/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault24/100K
Burglary437/100K

Health

Obesity33.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.3%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation122 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+92.8%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 48%
Commute33 min
EV Stations1
Libraries16

Is Clayton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clayton receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Clayton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clayton is $89,375, 19% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clayton is $244,800, 13% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Clayton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 61 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,931 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Clayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Clayton has a population of 8,867 with a density of 1,252 people per square mile. The median age is 40.1 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69%), with 20.3% Black.

Population

8,867
Total Population
1,252
People / sq mi
40.1yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
7.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Clayton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.6%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.4%
0% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clayton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clayton is $89,375, which is 19% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Clayton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$89,375
19% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,638
Avg Weekly Wage$1,117
IRS Avg AGI$90,010

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.9%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,389
County GDP$19,111M

Business (County)

Restaurants585
Healthcare828
Retail887
Manufacturing233

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,977
156% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.9 min
Work from Home7.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clayton is $244,800, 13% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,204 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $317,422.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$244,800
13% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$317,422
Median List Price$347,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$347,450
$/Sq Ft$217
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio99.9%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,204
4% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,977
156% above US avg
Effective Rate3.67%
In Clayton, 33.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.3% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Clayton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.3%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure34.8%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression19.3%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death7,587/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access85.4%
Healthcare Facilities828
Clayton has a violent crime rate of 61 per 100,000 residents, 84% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,931 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Clayton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent60.7/100K
84% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery36.4/100K
Assault24.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,930.6/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary437.1/100K
Theft1,444.9/100K
Vehicle Theft48.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)39

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Clayton has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation122 ft (37 m)
Area7.1 sq mi (18.3 km²)
Population Density1,252/sq mi
Coordinates39.6641°N, 75.0744°W
County FIPS34015
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.6%
D 47.8%

Winner: Republican by 2.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+92.8%
School Test Score6.24
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,252/sq mi
Total Area7.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities828
Restaurants585
Retail Stores887

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)39
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.9 min
Work from Home7.0%

Nearby Cities

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