Forest Park-Morrow
RANK #762 / 996 NAT · #20 / 41 GA · POP 296,312
1YR FORECAST: -1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Located just south of Atlanta, Clayton County, Georgia, is known for being home to most of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports. The county seat, Jonesboro, holds historical significance from the Civil War. Clayton County offers a suburban feel with convenient access to downtown Atlanta, approximately 12 miles away. Commute options include MARTA bus services and GRTA Xpress commuter buses, with plans for expanded bus rapid transit. The county features over 896 acres of parkland, including Reynolds Nature Preserve and the Newman Wetlands Center, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like walking trails, fishing, and picnicking.
Life in Clayton County offers a mix of residential options, with a cost of living nearly 8 percent lower than the national average. The public school system, Clayton County Public Schools, is one of Georgia's largest. Clayton State University in Morrow provides higher education opportunities and is home to Spivey Hall, a notable music recital venue. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and manufacturing, with efforts to redevelop land for business growth in cities like Jonesboro, Lovejoy, and Morrow. The county is also focusing on improving housing affordability and accessibility.
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Digital Realty Data Center Campus (ATL15 & ATL16)
Digital Realty
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
TA Realty Data Center Project (Ellenwood)
TA Realty
|
$959M | Under Construction |
|
TOTO Manufacturing Facility Expansion
TOTO
|
$224M | Completed |
|
Mountain View Master Plan
Development Authority of Clayton County (DACC)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 23/100, Clayton County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $56,207 combined with job growth of -0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Clayton County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $167,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,216/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Clayton County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted -6.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.08% of Clayton County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.
Home values fell -6.1% over the past year in Clayton County, bringing the median down to $167,200. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.