Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
60-69 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
20%
Clay, AL Area Guide
A small Alabama suburb outside of Birmingham
Commuter
•
Convenient
•
Outdoors
Clay, Alabama, sits just northeast of Birmingham, giving residents easy access to a major metro while holding onto a quieter, close-knit character all its own. The city has grown steadily over the years, drawing people who want breathing room without straying far from the jobs, hospitals, and universities that Birmingham and the surrounding Jefferson and Shelby County corridors provide. Clay-Chalkville High School anchors the community and reflects the city's investment in its own identity, separate from the larger metro it borders.
The neighborhoods here lean residential, with tree-lined streets, established subdivisions, and newer developments offering a mix of single-family rentals, townhomes, and smaller apartment communities. Housing options tend to feel spacious compared to what you'd find closer to downtown Birmingham, making Clay an appealing choice for anyone who values square footage and a slower pace. Pockets of the city offer rolling terrain typical of the Appalachian foothills, adding scenic character to everyday life.
Clay became an incorporated city in 2002, a relatively recent milestone that reflects how intentionally this community has shaped its own future. That civic pride shows in ongoing development and a neighborhood atmosphere that feels grounded and genuine.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$95,362
Average: $109,806
Education
1,287
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
2,996
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Clay has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
11%
Non-Renters
89%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%
Learn More About Clay
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Clay, AL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
606 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
Top Apartments in Clay
Houses for Rent in Clay
Living in Clay
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Nearby City Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.