Clayton County, Iowa

Clayton County
Winter scene near Elkader
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°50′37″N 91°20′36″W / 42.843611111111°N 91.343333333333°W / 42.843611111111; -91.343333333333
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1837
Named afterJohn M. Clayton
SeatElkader
Largest cityGuttenberg
Area
  Total
793 sq mi (2,050 km2)
  Land779 sq mi (2,020 km2)
  Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
17,043
  Estimate 
(2024)
16,931
  Density21.7/sq mi (8.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.claytoncountyia.gov

Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,043. Its county seat is Elkader. The county was established in 1837 and was named in honor of John M. Clayton, United States Senator from Delaware and later Secretary of State under President Zachary Taylor.