| County: | Clayton County |
| State: | Georgia |
| Seal: | Seal of Clayton County.png |
| Seal Size: | 90px |
| Logo Size: | 110px |
| Founded Date: | November 30 |
| Seat Wl: | Jonesboro |
| Largest City Wl: | Forest Park |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 144 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 142 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 2.8 |
| Area Percentage: | 1.9% |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 297595 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Est: | 298300 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 2101 |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| District: | 5th |
| District2: | 13th |
| Ex Image: | Clayton County, Georgia Courthouse.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro |
| Named For: | Augustin Smith Clayton |
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 included in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and it is the fifth 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 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.[5]
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.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (1.9%) is water.[6] 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).[7]
| White alone (NH) | 82,637 | 36,610 | 25,902 | 34.94% | 14.11% | 8.70% | |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 120,816 | 169,020 | 205,301 | 51.08% | 65.15% | 68.99% | |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 545 | 562 | 601 | 0.23% | 0.22% | 0.20% | |
| Asian alone (NH) | 10,562 | 12,839 | 13,491 | 4.47% | 4.95% | 4.53% | |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 126 | 103 | 119 | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.04% | |
| Other race alone (NH) | 513 | 467 | 1,800 | 0.22% | 0.18% | 0.60% | |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 3,590 | 4,376 | 7,835 | 1.52% | 1.69% | 2.63% | |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17,728 | 35,447 | 42,546 | 7.50% | 13.66% | 14.30% | |
| Total | 236,517 | 259,424 | 297,595 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
At the 2020 United States census, there were 297,595 people, 97,030 households, and 62,746 families residing in the county. In 2000, it had a population of 236,517.
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.[11] In terms of ancestry, 4.9% were "American".[12] By 2020, its makeup was 68.99% Black or African American, 8.70% non-Hispanic white, 0.20% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.53% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% some other race, 2.63% multiracial, and 14.30% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The last quarter-century has seen significant change in the racial composition of the county's population. In 1980, Clayton county's population was 150,357 — 91% white and 9% minority,[13] while in 2006 the population was approximately 271,240 — 20% white and 80% minority.[14]
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.[15] 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.
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.[16]
See main article: Clayton County Public Schools.
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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19]
The Clayton County Public School System was re-accredited by SACS on May 1, 2009.[20]
Clayton State University is located in Morrow.
The Clayton County Police Department has an authorized strength of 525 personnel headed by Chief Kevin Roberts.[25] Other law enforcement services (courts, jail, warrants) are provided by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office.[26]
On April 26, 2021, Sheriff Victor Hill was indicted on charges of federal civil rights violations.[27] On June 2, 2021, he was suspended by Governor Brian Kemp following a review of the indictment.[28] On October 26, 2022, Sheriff Victor Hill was found guilty of violating civil rights of jail detainees.[29]
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 section 8 black in-migration, starting in 1992 Clayton County has swung heavily Democratic and is now one of the most Democratic counties in the country.
MARTA and Xpress GA / RTA commuter buses serve the county.
Commuter rail service is proposed to serve Clayton County along the Norfolk Southern line,[30] 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.
Parts of Margaret Mitchell's epic 1936 novel Gone with the Wind 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; 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. Mitchell's family's plantation Rural Home was located in Clayton County.
The 2012 film Flight features Clayton County throughout the film.
Parts of the film Smokey and the Bandit were shot in and around Clayton County, 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.
On March 4, 2024, a remix of the 4Batz song "Act II: Date @ 8", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released. Drake’s verse features the line “How you got all that body and face though? What kind of water they serving in Clayco?” Clayco is a portmanteau of Clayton and County.