 Clay is located in the highlands of northeast Jefferson County and is bounded by the cities of Argo, Trussville, Pinson and Center Point. As neighboring cities began to expand their boundaries, the community of Clay incorporated in June 2000 with a desire to protect its identity and chart its own course. The original incorporation included an estimated 2,500 citizens. The 2000 census, released in 2001, recorded a population of 4,947, but city boundaries soon spread to include numerous neighborhoods and the city’s population more than doubled when the community of Chalkville was annexed.
A special census in 2007 showed the population to be 8,633. The city is expecting the 2010 census to show our population to be even higher than that.
Clay is equally attractive to young families and senior citizens and is home to people from various walks of life. Housing options range from new to historic neighborhoods, large family homes to garden homes, and small lots to acreage tracts of land.
Clay children attend Chalkville Elementary, Clay Elementary, Clay-Chalkville Middle and Clay-Chalkville High Schools. Clay schools, teachers and students are the recipients of awards, scholarships and grants covering a broad range of academic programs; as well as band, athletics and other extra-curricular programs. The City of Clay is proud and supportive of its schools and maintains a positive working relationship between the council and the Jefferson County Board of Education.
The Clay Senior Activity Center, under the direction of Linda Love, is recognized regionally for its outstanding program that includes a wide variety of activities, entertainment and trips; as well as a hot noon-time meal. The center provides a place where any senior adult can find a friend, a listening ear, a warm hug and feel a sense of being loved. Because of its favorable reputation, the center draws seniors from surrounding communities. It also provides a wealth of knowledge and support for the many concerns of today’s seniors, including dementia caregiver support.
The city owns four park properties which, when fully developed, will provide diverse recreational facilities. Development of the Clay City Park is well underway with one soccer field, four baseball fields and a concession stand completed. Other parks are Cosby Lake and Chalkville Bryant Park. A botanical garden is planned for city property on Trussville-Clay Road located in the town center.
A city library, in a restored 1905 Queen Anne style house, opened in October 2009. The historic structure, known locally as the Jayfe Ware House, sits proudly in the forefront of the new city park, bridging past and present.
The Clay Area Chamber of Commerce is made up of approximately 80 business and individual members that encourage and promote healthy commerce, as well as the community as a whole. The chamber and the city work together on a number of initiatives, such as the annual Clay May Days and Clay Christmas Parade.
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Clay is blessed with a natural environment that includes Butler Mountain, the highest elevation in Jefferson County and McCluney's Cave, known locally as Crystal Cavern. Clay is also uniquely positioned in three watershed basins – the Cahaba, Black Warrior and Coosa.
 
The Cahaba River, metro Birmingham’s primary source of drinking water, originates from mountain springs just northeast of Clay. The fragile streams that flow through Clay are the very beginning of a river that is recognized nationally and even globally for its biological diversity and as a river that must be saved. The Cahaba has more fish species per mile than any other river in North America. It is the habitat of 69 rare and imperiled species, including 10 fish and mussel species listed under the U. S. Endangered Species Act.
Dating to the early 1800s, the community’s heritage is equally diverse and includes churches that were established almost 200 years ago; numerous turn-of-the-century homes; an 1800s family cemetery; an early 1900s ball park, now known as Chalkville Bryant Park; and the site of a 1920s YMCA boys’ camp – Cosby Lake Park.
In early years, the community was a stagecoach stop along the route from Elyton (now part of Birmingham) to Gadsden. In 1878, when a post office was established, it was named Clay, after the clay soil of the area.
The significance of environmental and historical resources and the community’s desire to protect and build upon them; the importance of economic health; the benefits of varied recreational activities; and the interrelationship of the goals are reflected in the following objectives of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
I. Manage Quality Commercial and Residential Development
II. Protect the Natural Character and Amenities of Clay
III. Enhance Clay’s Sense of Community
IV. Promote Economic and Cultural Vitality
The plan seeks to sustain the city's quality of life through careful stewardship of natural resources and management of growth and change through effective land use policies.
With the city’s leadership and citizens working together, using our comprehensive plan as a roadmap, Clay’s future is unlimited.
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About Clay