RANK #78 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 41 GA · POP 298,924
1YR FORECAST: -2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
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.
Clayton County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -5.0% runs below the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Clayton County ranks #78 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.6% year-over-year). Median household income here is $59,806.
Housing in Clayton County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $222,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,433/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Clayton County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted -5.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Clayton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values fell -5.0% over the past year in Clayton County, bringing the median down to $222,300. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.