CLAYTON, NC COMMUNITY GUIDE Life in Clayton, North Carolina

Considered a satellite community of Raleigh, Clayton offers interested buyers an intimate home life with plenty of amenities within a short drive. This former farming community, which nearly doubled in size from 16,116 in the 2010 Census to more than 26,000 in 2020, is mostly located in Johnston County, although a very small portion also extends into Wake County. Originally founded in the 1800s, this community can attribute a lot of its recent growth to the town’s close proximity to Research Triangle Park as well as major thoroughfares like I-40 and US 70. When the Southeast Extension of I-540 is complete, a commute into RTP and Durham will be even easier.
A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE
This community was built on a road cut that was established by Governor Tryon’s troops around 1770 as they marched North from New Bern to Hillsborough. About a century later, a railroad came through the area, which is how the community earned its first name: Stallings’ Station. That community was officially changed three years later to become Clayton. It was incorporated in 1869. The town prospered thanks to its location by the railroad and continued to grow over the decades. By the early 1900s, it was a hub for cotton, watermelons, and tobacco. In fact, one newspaper in 1907 reported that Clayton had more money per capita than any city its size in the world. But the town lost its financial footing during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when the town started establishing itself as an industrial base, that growth started taking hold again.
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN TODAY’S MARKET – JOHNSTON COUNTY
Johnston County is a great place to call home, and that fact is evident as it’s one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina according to the 2020 Census. Not only are there many incredible neighborhood communities located here, but there are also a lot of local amenities that make the quality of life excellent. For instance, the Clayton Center Auditorium and Conference Center is located here, which is great for community gatherings with its 600-seat performing arts center. What’s more, Clayton has a healthy job market. In fact, manufacturers like Caterpillar and bio-pharmaceutical companies like Grifols and Novo Nordisk are huge local employers.
THINGS TO DO IN CLAYTON
Clayton offers things to do for people of all ages. Clemmons Educational State Forest is a place for walking, exploring, and discovering the complex ecosystems found within this forest’s 800 acres. You may enjoy Clayton River Walk, a 4-mile, 10-foot wide paved trail, which is just one piece of a 2,500-mile East Coast Greenway that connects from Maine to Florida. Follow the Clayton Sculpture Trail, which is a self-guided tour that will help you fall in love with the local art scene and the Clayton community. In the summers, check out the Downtown Clayton Concert Series or the Clayton Farm & Community Market to connect deeply to the community. Clayton also offers outstanding restaurants, a craft brewery and distillery, and home-baked treats from numerous bakeries. And for outdoor enthusiasts, you can bike, kayak, hike, or explore to your heart’s content.
HOMES FOR SALE IN CLAYTON
Take a look at available Clayton real estate below, and see which home best fits your needs. Contact us to tour a home or if you have any questions about home buying or home selling.
NEIGHBORHOODS IN CLAYTON AND SURROUNDING AREAS
CLAYTON INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY GUIDE

SCHOOLS IN CLAYTON
When you live in Clayton, you can rest assured that your children will receive an excellent education through the Johnston County Public Schools system.
Some of the specific schools that serve this community are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? MOVE TO CLAYTON!
If you agree that Clayton sounds like an excellent community, please contact me, Jim Allen, and my team of Johnston County real estate experts today.
We would love the opportunity to assist you by answering any questions you may have and offering you some valuable home buying resources. We’ll also tell you about available listings on this market.
WHAT IS MY HOME WORTH? FREE VALUATION!
Home prices in the Triangle area are rising! We have professional agents who can determine the value of your home, offer home selling insights, and provide listing resources. Click here to find out what your home is worth.
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