This area was occupied by the historic Potowatomi people, who were among the indigenous peoples in the Detroit territory. They traded furs for goods for years with the French Canadians and English colonists. The city's name is a misspelling of the surname of John Lawson, an early European-American settler. It was founded by European Americans in 1829 and was originally known as Pumachug, likely derived from a Potowatomi term, and The Corners. It was incorporated as Clawson in 1921 as a village; in 1940 it was incorporated as a city.
At the 2010 census, there were 11,825 people, 5,460 households and 2,992 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 5,791 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 93.4% White, 1.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population. There were 5,460 households of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 39.9 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The sex makeup was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
At the 2000 census, there were 12,732 people, 5,572 households and 3,259 families living in the city. The population density was 5,787.0 per square mile. There were 5,676 housing units at an average density of 2,579.9 per square mile. The racial makeup was 96.10% White, 0.80% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population. There were 5,572 households of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.98. 20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males. The median household income was $50,929 and the median family income was $64,684. Males had a median income of $45,242 and females $30,679. The per capita income was $25,676. About 1.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
