Clayton, NM

New Mexico

Clayton is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 2,680. Residents earn $40,192 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
2,680 Population 343/sq mi density
$40,192 Median Income $25,292 per capita
$111,500 Home Value $112,600 Zillow
$637 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$40,192 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$111,500 home value, $637/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,192
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $111,500
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $637
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.1%
94% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,680
Median Age39.1 yrs
Density343/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,192
Per Capita$25,292
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty24.1%
County GDP$178M
Commute11 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$111,500
Rent$637
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$112,600

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property982/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary281/100K

Health

Obesity35.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain16.1 in/yr
Elevation4,956 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+89.4%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute11 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Clayton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clayton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. 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 $40,192, 47% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 24.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clayton is $111,500, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $637 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x 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 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 982 per 100,000, 50% below the national average.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Clayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.1 inches, including 22.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Clayton has a population of 2,680 with a density of 343 people per square mile. The median age is 39.1 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.2%), with 5.5% Hispanic, 1.3% Black, 1.3% Asian.

Population

2,680
Total Population
343
People / sq mi
39.1yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
7.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.7%
Female 46.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Clayton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.7%
4% below US avg
Spanish24.3%
81% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Clayton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clayton is $40,192, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 24.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Clayton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,192
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,292
Avg Weekly Wage$893
IRS Avg AGI$44,577

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate24.1%
94% above US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$178M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare6
Retail19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,300
63% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.3 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clayton is $111,500, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $637 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $112,600.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$111,500
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$112,600

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$637
45% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$828
1 Bedroom$927
2 Bedrooms$1,129
3 Bedrooms$1,496
4 Bedrooms$1,758

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,300
63% below US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Clayton, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 27.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma9.4%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity27.1%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.2%
Checkup Rate64.6%
Premature Death12,002/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access69.9%
Healthcare Facilities6
Clayton has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 982 per 100,000 (50% 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 Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property982.5/100K
50% below US avg
Burglary280.7/100K
Theft701.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Clayton has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.1 inches
58% below US avg
Snowfall22.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,956 ft (1,511 m)
Area7.8 sq mi (20.2 km²)
Population Density343/sq mi
Coordinates36.4460°N, 103.1489°W
County FIPS35059
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.9%
D 22.7%

Winner: Republican by 52.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+89.4%
School Test Score4.65
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density343/sq mi
Total Area7.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities6
Restaurants10
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.3 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Clayton with another city: