Clayton, North Carolina

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States, and is considered a satellite town of Raleigh. As of 2020, Clayton's population was 26,307,<ref name="Census 2020">Template:Cite web</ref> up from 16,116 at the 2010 census. By 2024 the town's estimated population was 30,621.<ref name="USCensusEst2019">Template:Cite web</ref> Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's proximity to the Research Triangle area and access to major highways such as I-40 and US 70.

Geography

Clayton is in western Johnston County, with small portions extending into Wake County. In 2006, construction began on the Highway 70 Clayton Bypass, a Template:Convert stretch from Interstate 40 along the southern portion of Clayton to Highway 70 business southeast of town. It was completed in June 2008. US 70 leads southeast Template:Convert to Interstate 95 at Smithfield. Downtown Raleigh is Template:Convert northwest of Clayton via US 70 Business and Interstate 40. Many local unincorporated communities outside of the town limits use Clayton mailing addresses, including Cleveland, Powhatan, and Flowers.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2010 census the town had an area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert were land and Template:Convert, or 0.16%, were water.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The town is part of the Neuse River watershed. The town limits now extend northeast to the Neuse River and beyond.

Town Hall is located at 111 East Second Street and is shared with The Clayton Center, a performing arts and conference center.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clayton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Clayton was Template:Convert on August 18, 1988, while the coldest temperature recorded was Template:Convert on January 21, 1985.<ref name = NOWData />

Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

Clayton racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	15,193	57.6%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	6,219	23.6%
Native American	142	0.5%
Asian	420	1.60%
Pacific Islander	11	0.04%
Other/Mixed	4,322	16.4%
Hispanic or Latino	3,756	14.3%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 26,307 residents living within the Town of Clayton. There were 9,579 households (62% Increase), with an average of 3.04 persons per household.<ref>https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/claytontownnorthcarolina/PST045219 Template:Bare URL inline</ref>

2010 census

As of the 2010 census,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> there were 16,116 residents living within the Town of Clayton. There were 5,944 households, with an average of 2.57 persons per household. The population density was Template:Convert with an inventory of 6,648 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 69.5% White, 21.8% African American, 10.7% Hispanic or Latino 0.4% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander.

Of the 5,944 households in the 2010 census, 44% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30% were non-families. 25.4% of non-family households were made up of householders living alone. 16.3% of households had individuals 65 years of age or older.

The age demographics of the 2010 census determined that 32.9% were under the age of 19, 4.9% were aged 20 to 24, 32.8% aged 25 to 44, 20.8% aged 45 to 64, and 8.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.9 years. Females made up 52.5% of the population while males made up 47.5% of the population.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,101, and the median income for a family was $64,856. Males had a median income of $46,108 versus $40,839 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,234. These figures put Town of Clayton well ahead of the North Carolina averages for the same categories.

Arts and culture

Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places include:<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>

Parks and recreation

Bailey and Sarah William Preserve has seven miles of multi-use trails for walking and biking.<ref name="johnstoncountync.org">Template:Cite web</ref>

Clayton Community Center is a 32,000 sq. ft. facility that has a 1/16th mile indoor track, a fitness center, large gymnasium, an art and potter classroom. It also includes a garden with a greenhouse!<ref name="johnstoncountync.org"/>

Clayton Community Park is a 42-arce park, which offers a variety of activities including a 1/2 mile paved trail, three baseball fields, volleyball courts, picnic shelter, unpaved wetlands, and two playground areas.<ref name="johnstoncountync.org"/>

East Clayton Community Park features soccer and baseball fields, a disc golf course, picnic areas, a walking trail, and a playground.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Clayton also has the Clayton Municipal Park, Clayton River Walk on the Neuse, Clemmons Educational State Forest, Donald "Clyde" Sinclair Park, the East Clayton Community Park, the East Clayton Dog Park, Harmony Playground, Neuse Adventures Canoe & Kayak Rentals, the Pine Hollow Golf Club, the Riverwood Golf & Athletic Club, the Sam's Branch Greenway Trail, the Neuse Country Club, and the Triangle Adventures.<ref name="johnstoncountync.org"/>

Government

Town Council

Name	Office	Term start	Term end	Reference
Jody McLeod	Mayor	December 2003	2027	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ruth Anderson	Councilwoman	December 2023	2027
Gretchen Williams	Councilwoman	December 2023	2027
Michael Sims	Mayor Pro Team	December 2021	2025
Andria Archer	Councilwoman	December 2021	2025
Porter Casey	Councilman	December 2021	2025

Education

Template:Colbegin

Academy of Hope<ref name="greatschools.org">Template:Cite web</ref>
American Leadership Academy - Johnston<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Clayton High School
Cleveland High School
Clayton Middle School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Cooper Academy<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Cleveland Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
East Clayton Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Johnston Charter Academy<ref>https://www.nhaschools.com/schools/johnston-charter-academy/en Template:Bare URL inline</ref>
Lifespring Academy<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Powhatan Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
River Dell Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Riverwood Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Riverwood Middle School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Swift Creek Middle<ref name="greatschools.org"/>
Thales Academy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
West Clayton Elementary School<ref name="greatschools.org"/>