Alabama

Clay

14,236
2020 population
1870
first census record
16
census records

About Clay

Clay, Alabama, first appears in the United States federal census in 1870, when it recorded a population of 9,560. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 14,236.

Its recorded population peaked at 22,645 in 1920, and has since declined by roughly 37 percent.

On the ground today, 5 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Alibamo Fort 1540, Creek War — Hillabee Towns Destruction 1813, Creek War — Hillabee Massacre 1813, and 2 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202014,236
201013,932
200014,254
199013,252
198013,703
197012,636
196012,400
195013,929
194016,907
193017,768
192022,645
191021,006
190017,099
189015,765
188012,938
18709,560
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Clay

Military engagements that took place in Clay, Alabama.

Battle of Alibamo Fort 1540
1540
Creek War — Hillabee Towns Destruction 1813
1813
Creek War — Hillabee Massacre 1813
1813
Battle of Enotachopco Creek Jan 24 1814
1814
Battle of Emuckfaw Jan 22 1814
1814

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Everything a full report reveals about Clay County, Alabama

This page charts the census history of Clay County, Alabama. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Clay

When does Clay first appear in the US census?
Clay, Alabama first appears in the federal census in 1870, with a recorded population of 9,560.
What is the population of Clay?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Clay had a recorded population of 14,236.
When did Clay's population peak?
Clay's recorded population peaked at 22,645 in 1920.
Were any battles fought in Clay?
5 documented military engagements took place in Clay, including Battle of Alibamo Fort 1540, Creek War — Hillabee Towns Destruction 1813, Creek War — Hillabee Massacre 1813.
How many historic places are in Clay?
2 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Clay, Alabama.
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