Population overview
Clay County is home to roughly 10,764 people, making up about 0.03% of the total population of Texas. Within the North Texas region, it ranks #21 of 36 counties by population. The combination of 1,098 square miles of land and 10,764 residents yields a density of about 9.8 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Clay County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Clay County sits in the lower half of the population distribution. It belongs to the smaller end of Texas counties by population — typical of West Texas, the Panhandle, and the Trans-Pecos.
| Comparison | Population | vs Clay |
|---|---|---|
| Clay County | 10,764 | — |
| North Texas region average | 252,448 | +2245% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +76% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +46769% |
Neighboring county populations
Clay County shares borders with 4 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita County | Wichita Falls | 129,555 | 206.3 |
| Montague County | Montague | 21,966 | 23.6 |
| Jack County | Jacksboro | 9,563 | 10.4 |
| Archer County | Archer City | 9,129 | 10.0 |
What the numbers mean
Clay County's density of about 9.8 people per square mile is about 8% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 65 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Clay County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 161st of 254; by land area it ranks 50th; and by density it ranks 171st. It has far more land than people compared with most Texas counties.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Clay County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Clay County, Texas?+
Clay County has an estimated population of 10,764 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Clay County?+
Clay County has a population density of approximately 9.8 people per square mile across its 1,098 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Clay County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Clay County ranks #161 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.03% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Clay County?+
Among the 4 counties bordering Clay, Wichita County is the most populous with about 129,555 residents.
How is Clay County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.