Clayton County, Georgia

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Not to be confused with Clay County, Georgia or Clayton, Georgia.

Template:Infobox U.S. county

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.[1] The county seat is Jonesboro.[2]

Clayton County is one of the core counties of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and it is the sixth most-populous county in the state. It is the home of most of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport,[3] the busiest airport in the world by total passengers.[4]

The county was the defendant in the landmark LGBT rights case of Bostock v. Clayton County (2020).[5]

History

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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.[6]

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

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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.[7] 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).[8]

Adjacent counties

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Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

Historical racial and ethnic composition

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Clayton County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[9] Pop 1990[10] Pop 2000[11] Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 136,726 129,798 82,637 36,610 25,902 90.93% 71.30% 34.94% 14.11% 8.70%
Black or African American alone (NH) 10,405 43,053 120,816 169,020 205,301 6.92% 23.65% 51.08% 65.15% 68.99%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 338 437 545 562 601 0.22% 0.24% 0.23% 0.22% 0.20%
Asian alone (NH) 939 4,905 10,562 12,839 13,491 0.62% 2.69% 4.47% 4.95% 4.53%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [14] x [15] 126 103 119 x x 0.05% 0.04% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 332 113 513 467 1,800 0.22% 0.06% 0.22% 0.18% 0.60%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [16] x [17] 3,590 4,376 7,835 x x 1.52% 1.69% 2.63%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,617 3,746 17,728 35,447 42,546 1.08% 2.06% 7.50% 13.66% 14.30%
Total 150,357 182,052 236,517 259,424 297,595 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 297,595. The median age was 34.3 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.2 males age 18 and over. 99.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.5% lived in rural areas.[18][19][20]

The racial makeup of the county was 10.3% White, 69.9% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.8% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.3% of the population.[20]

There were 106,200 households in the county, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 40.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]

There were 114,038 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 49.5% were owner-occupied and 50.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.[19]

2010 census

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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.[21] In terms of ancestry, 4.9% were "American".[22]

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.[23]

2000 census

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In 2000, it had a population of 236,517.[11]

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

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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.[24]

Education

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Main article: Clayton County Public Schools

2008 de-accreditation

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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.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]

The Clayton County Public School System was re-accredited by SACS on May 1, 2009.[28]

Higher education

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Clayton State University is located in Morrow.

Media

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  • Clayton News[29] (formerly Clayton News-Daily): county legal organ, part of the Southern Community Newspapers, Inc. chain
  • South7585News[30] (formerly "Home Rule News"): online news about Clayton County, South Fulton County and Intown Atlanta South, part of the WRCG Media
  • South Atlanta Magazine:[31] lifestyle and profiles magazine focusing on Clayton County
  • CCTV23:[32] Clayton County government access television (Ch. 23 on Xfinity, Ch. 99 on AT&T UVerse)

Defunct

Crime and policing

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The Clayton County Police Department has an authorized strength of 525 personnel headed by Chief Kevin Roberts.[34] Other law enforcement services (courts, jail, warrants) are provided by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office.[35]

On April 26, 2021, Sheriff Victor Hill was indicted on charges of federal civil rights violations.[36] On June 2, 2021, he was suspended by Governor Brian Kemp following a review of the indictment.[37] On October 26, 2022, Sheriff Victor Hill was found guilty of violating civil rights of jail detainees.[38]

Politics

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As of the 2020s, Clayton County is a strongly Democratic county, voting 83.6% for Kamala Harris in 2024. For most of the 1960s to the 1980s, Clayton County was a swing county. It voted for Governor Jimmy Carter in 1976 with around 65 percent of the vote, but then voted for Ronald Reagan with over 70 percent of the vote in 1984. However, due to extensive in-migration by Democratic-voting African-Americans from surrounding areas, starting in 1992, Clayton County has swung heavily Democratic and is now one of the most Democratic counties in the country. In every presidential election since 2004, Clayton County has been the most Democratic county in Georgia.[39]

For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Clayton County is mostly part of Georgia's 13th congressional district. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Clayton County is a part of districts 17, 34 and 44.[40] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Clayton County is represented by districts 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79.[41]

United States presidential election results for Clayton County, Georgia[42]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 148 27.92% 382 72.08% 0 0.00%
1884 279 35.59% 505 64.41% 0 0.00%
1888 224 27.05% 604 72.95% 0 0.00%
1892 335 27.59% 518 42.67% 361 29.74%
1896 472 46.41% 516 50.74% 29 2.85%
1900 179 32.02% 346 61.90% 34 6.08%
1904 59 10.50% 333 59.25% 170 30.25%
1908 223 38.32% 248 42.61% 111 19.07%
1912 3 0.54% 443 79.25% 113 20.21%
1916 3 0.50% 517 86.89% 75 12.61%
1920 34 6.68% 475 93.32% 0 0.00%
1924 46 11.68% 273 69.29% 75 19.04%
1928 619 50.28% 612 49.72% 0 0.00%
1932 35 2.49% 1,361 97.01% 7 0.50%
1936 175 11.44% 1,352 88.37% 3 0.20%
1940 161 10.42% 1,382 89.45% 2 0.13%
1944 245 11.81% 1,828 88.14% 1 0.05%
1948 339 10.29% 2,192 66.50% 765 23.21%
1952 1,230 23.26% 4,058 76.74% 0 0.00%
1956 1,593 22.39% 5,522 77.61% 0 0.00%
1960 2,953 33.39% 5,892 66.61% 0 0.00%
1964 10,488 64.08% 5,869 35.86% 10 0.06%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 8,256 35.22% 3,517 15.01% 11,665 49.77%
1972 23,681 86.36% 3,740 13.64% 0 0.00%
1976 12,905 37.58% 21,432 62.42% 0 0.00%
1980 19,160 50.35% 17,540 46.10% 1,351 3.55%
1984 31,553 72.84% 11,763 27.16% 0 0.00%
1988 28,225 65.43% 14,689 34.05% 223 0.52%
1992 23,965 41.33% 25,890 44.65% 8,134 14.03%
1996 20,625 37.34% 30,687 55.55% 3,930 7.11%
2000 19,966 32.52% 40,042 65.21% 1,394 2.27%
2004 23,106 29.01% 56,113 70.46% 424 0.53%
2008 16,506 16.59% 82,527 82.93% 481 0.48%
2012 14,164 14.72% 81,479 84.67% 587 0.61%
2016 12,645 13.51% 78,220 83.59% 2,715 2.90%
2020 15,811 14.07% 95,466 84.94% 1,114 0.99%
2024 16,877 15.11% 94,203 84.31% 649 0.58%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:G.A. GovHead Template:G.A. GovRow Template:G.A. GovFoot

Board of Commissioners
District Commissioner Party
CHAIR (at-large) Dr. Alieka Anderson- Henry (chairwoman) Democratic
District 1 Alaina Reaves Democratic
District 2 Gail Hambrick Democratic
District 3 Tashe’ Allen Democratic
District 4 DeMont Davis Democratic

Transportation

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Airports

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Major highways

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Mass transit

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Bus

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MARTA and Xpress GA / RTA commuter buses serve the county.

Rail

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Commuter rail service is proposed to serve Clayton County along the Norfolk Southern line,[43] 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

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  • Jesters Creek Trail
  • Morrow Trail
  • Clayton Connects
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Gone with the Wind

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Rural Home, the real life plantation house that Tara in the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind was based on was in Clayton County[44] where Annie Fitzgerald Stephens, the model of the character Scarlet O'Hara grew up. This meant that large parts of Margaret Mitchell's epic 1936 novel Gone with the Wind[45] and the famous 1939 motion picture Gone with the Wind were set in Clayton County, including the location of the fictional plantation Tara. Tara Boulevard was named for the plantation;[46] it is the main north–south road through the county, carrying U.S. 41 and lesser-known State Route 3.

Parts of the novels Rhett Butler's People and Scarlett and the Scarlett television miniseries also took place in Clayton County. Rhett Butler's People is a prequel, sequel, and companion to Gone with the Wind. Scarlett is a sequel to Gone with the Wind, taking place briefly in Clayton County. The fictional Twelve Oaks Plantation and others mentioned in these novels are located in and around Clayton County.

Other Films

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The 2012 film Flight features Clayton County throughout the film.[citation needed]

Parts of the film Smokey and the Bandit were shot in and around Clayton County,[47] namely in Jonesboro, as evidenced by a sign in the background of one of the scenes. Although this particular scene was supposed to be set in Arkansas, a "Willow Bend" sign advertising brick homes in Clayton County can be spotted behind Sheriff George Branford. Many back roads and the movie town of Texarkana are the roads and the town of Jonesboro.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport Overview and FBOs (Atlanta, GA) [KATL/ATL]". FlightAware. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hunter, Marnie (April 11, 2022). "This US airport has reclaimed its title as the world's busiest". CNN.com.
  5. ↑ "Man who won gay rights case at Supreme Court agrees to settlement". NBC News. November 7, 2022.
  6. ↑ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-9154-3000-0. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2003.
  7. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  15. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  16. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  17. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  18. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  22. ↑ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  23. ↑ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Civil Action No. 1-96-CV-1355-JTC Archived September 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Stanford Law School. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
  25. ↑ Matteucci, Megan (August 28, 2008). "Clayton schools lose accreditation; board members ousted". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  26. ↑ Matteucci, Megan (April 2, 2008). "Clayton school board chairwoman steps down". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  27. ↑ Matteucci, Megan (May 1, 2008). "Clayton signs school chief's contract amid police presence". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  28. ↑ Clayton County Public Schools Receive Re-accreditation. Georgia Education News May 1, 2009. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
  29. ↑ Clayton News
  30. ↑ South7585News
  31. ↑ South Atlanta Magazine
  32. ↑ CCTV23
  33. ↑ Clayton Crescent
  34. ↑ "Home Page". Clayton County Police Department. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Home Page". Clayton County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Clayton Co. Sheriff Victor Hill Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Violations". US Department Of Justice (DOJ). April 27, 2021. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021.
  37. ↑ Hannah Sarisohn and Travis Caldwell. "Georgia governor suspends sheriff indicted on federal civil rights charges". CNN. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Sheriff Victor Hill found guilty of civil rights violations in federal trial and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  42. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  43. ↑ Wickert, David (December 6, 2018). "MARTA approves plans for Clayton County commuter train". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Fitzgerald House". www.tomitronics.com.
  45. ↑ "Official Home of Gone with the Wind". Archived from the original on August 16, 2008.
  46. ↑ "Tara Boulevard Could be Gone With the Wind | Fox News". www.foxnews.com. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  47. ↑ "The Film Industry's Impact on Clayton County, Georgia — LocationsHub". www.locationshub.com. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
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Template:Geographic Location Template:Clayton County, Georgia Template:Atlanta Metro Template:Georgia (U.S. state) Coordinates: 33°32′N 84°22′W / 33.54°N 84.36°W / 33.54; -84.36

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