Town · North Carolina
Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton, town, in Johnston County, North Carolina. Clayton had 32,633 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 24.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,307 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 29,320 (±32). GEOID 3712860.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
32,633
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,307 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,320 ±32
Median household income
$78,822
±$4,441 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$329,600
±$14,681 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,661
±$66 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Clayton and what county is it in?
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina. It covers 16.8 square miles of land, 1,567 residents per square mile in 2020.
Clayton is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Johnston County | 26,307 | 100.0% |
| Wake County | land only, no residents | – |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Clayton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 32,633 people lived in Clayton on July 1, 2025, up 24.0% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 26,307 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 29,320 (±32).
| Measure | Clayton | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,320 ±32 | 234,263 | +7,639 |
| Households | 11,242 ±488 | 85,591 | +3,754 |
| Average household size | 2.60 ±0.11 | 2.72 | −0.28 |
| Housing units | 11,529 ±479 | 91,218 | +3,384 |
Clayton's population since 2000
From 6,973 in 2000 to 32,633 in 2025: up 368.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Clayton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Clayton?
The median resident of Clayton is 33.0 years old; 26.2% are under 18 and 10.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 27.6%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clayton | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.0 ±2.2 | 38.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.2% ±2.4 pts | 24.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.2% ±1.6 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Male | 47.6% ±2.7 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.2% ±2.3 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.2% ±3.7 pts | 61.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 27.6% ±3.8 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±1.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±1.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0% ±2.5 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.7% ±3.7 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7% ±1.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 10.1% ±2.1 pts | 13.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0% ±2.7 pts | 10.4% | −4.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6% ±1.8 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.4% ±4.1 pts | 28.9% | +9.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.4% ±2.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.1% ±3.3 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Clayton earn?
Half of Clayton's 11,242 households earn less than $78,822 a year (±$4,441), against $83,384 in Johnston County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $77,135 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clayton | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,822 ±$4,441 | $83,384 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,163 ±$5,697 | $103,515 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,564 ±$2,019 | $38,897 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.9% ±2.2 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.6% ±2.9 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8% ±2.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.7% ±1.6 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.5% ±3.4 pts | 89.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Clayton?
Owners occupy 62.7% of Clayton's occupied homes and renters 37.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,600 by its owner (±$14,681). The median renter pays $1,661 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clayton | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $329,600 ±$14,681 | $305,600 | +$92,199 |
| Median gross rent | $1,661 ±$66 | $1,146 | +$328 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8% ±9.0 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,803 ±$73 | $1,665 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.7% ±4.4 pts | 76.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.3% ±4.4 pts | 23.9% | – |
| Housing units | 11,529 ±479 | 91,218 | +3,384 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5% ±1.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.5% ±4.6 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.1% ±1.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 32.6% ±5.0 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.0% ±1.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.4% ±1.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Clayton building?
Builders took permits for 389 new housing units in Clayton in 2025 (382 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 9 of 12 months), 11.9 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Clayton work and get to work?
72.7% of Clayton's workers drive alone and 18.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.8%.
| Measure | Clayton | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 73.4% ±3.1 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% ±1.5 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.7% ±3.8 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9% ±2.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.2% ±4.2 pts | 14.7% | +10.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.1 min ±2.3 | 32.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Clayton?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Clayton, and 10 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,623 (Tract 410.04) to $109,181 (Tract 410.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 410.01Johnston County | 12,271 | $77,538 |
| Tract 402.09Johnston County | 7,696 | $104,071 |
| Tract 410.03Johnston County | 3,753 | $76,600 |
| Tract 410.05Johnston County | 4,017 | $109,181 |
| Tract 409.03Johnston County | 10,436 | $85,469 |
| Tract 410.04Johnston County | 2,316 | $68,623 |
| Tract 411.10Johnston County | 3,724 | $106,941 |
| Tract 411.05Johnston County | 3,827 | $91,000 |
| Tract 411.04Johnston County | 5,761 | $68,289 |
| Tract 409.06Johnston County | 2,097 | $79,402 |
| Tract 541.09Wake County | 5,118 | $120,000 |
| Tract 402.10Johnston County | 2,021 | $156,944 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Clayton) · Census block assignment files
How does Clayton compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Clayton is the 1,263rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 37th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Clayton ranks 143rd of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 37th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 67th | 443 |
| Median household income | 143rd | 434 |
| Per capita income | 156th | 443 |
| Median home value | 137th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 41st | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 302nd | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 116th | 421 |
| Median age | 402nd | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 259th | 443 |
| Work from home | 106th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 58th | 439 |
Clayton's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Clayton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Clayton?
9 of the 57 figures for Clayton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Clayton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Clayton.