Clayton, Georgia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Clayton, the county seat of Rabun County, was incorporated December 13, 1823. The city was named for Judge Augustin S. Clayton, a prominent jurist and congressman. Clayton was originally named Claytonsville, the name was later shortened to Clayton.

Clayton is home to many regional authors. The most famous publication is the nationally acclaimed Foxfire series, a collection of oral history gathered by local high school students. The Foxfire Museum, in nearby Mountain City, houses exhibits relating to Appalachian life and documents the birth of the Foxfire Magazine and the Foxfire Book series.

The Bartram Trail, designated a National Recreation Trail, is located in Clayton. Quaker William Bartram created this trail over 200 years ago and it spans over 40 miles.

There are a number of attractions outside of Clayton in the Chattahooche National Forest including the Coleman River Scenic Area and Popcorn Overlook.

Population: 2,019. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,100 (+4.0% change)
Males: 1,005 (49.8%), Females: 1,014 (50.2%)

Rabun County

Zip code: 30525

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.7 years
Median household income: $26,600
Median house value: $96,300

Population by Race

Races in Clayton:

  • White Non-Hispanic (80.0%)
  • Hispanic (14.7%)
  • Other race (9.4%)
  • Black (2.8%)
  • American Indian (1.4%)
  • Asian Indian (0.9%)
  • Two or more races (0.9%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (11.9%), English (10.2%), Irish (8.2%), German (5.6%), Italian (3.2%), Scotch-Irish (2.7%).

Elevation: 1925 feet

Land area: 3.1 square miles

Map of Clayton, GA

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Clayton

  • High school or higher: 61.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.9%
  • Unemployed: 11.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 22.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Clayton city

  • Never married: 18.7%
  • Now married: 46.0%
  • Separated: 3.7%
  • Widowed: 13.8%
  • Divorced: 17.8%

11.3% Foreign born (9.5% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +400 (+24.7%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Clayton:

  • RABUN COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (196 RIDGECREST CIRCLE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Clayton:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Clayton:

  • ANDERSON RGNL (about 56 miles; ANDERSON, SC; Abbreviation: AND)
  • ATHENS/BEN EPPS (about 66 miles; ATHENS, GA; Abbreviation: AHN)
  • ASHEVILLE REGIONAL (about 72 miles; ASHEVILLE, NC; Abbreviation: AVL)

Other public-use airports nearest to Clayton:

  • TOCCOA RG LETOURNEAU FIELD (about 22 miles; TOCCOA, GA; Abbreviation: TOC)
  • MACON COUNTY (about 24 miles; FRANKLIN, NC; Abbreviation: 1A5)
  • HABERSHAM COUNTY (about 28 miles; CORNELIA, GA; Abbreviation: AJR)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Clayton:

  • WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY (about 32 miles; CULLOWHEE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 5,843)
  • NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; DAHLONEGA, GA; Full-time enrollment: 3,119)
  • TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 47 miles; PENDLETON, SC; Full-time enrollment: 2,343)
  • CLEMSON UNIVERSITY (about 48 miles; CLEMSON, SC; Full-time enrollment: 15,962)
  • GAINESVILLE COLLEGE (about 56 miles; OAKWOOD, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,181)
  • UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (about 64 miles; ATHENS, GA; Full-time enrollment: 28,464)
  • FURMAN UNIVERSITY (about 68 miles; GREENVILLE, SC; Full-time enrollment: 2,915)

Public primary/middle school in Clayton:

  • CLAYTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 535; Location: 837 U.S. 76 WEST; Grades: 04 – 06)