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Clayton, NC
Town in Johnston County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 27520, 27527.
Population
29,320
Land area
16.8sq mi
People per sq mi
1,746
ZIP codes
2
Clayton and its ZIP codes
Clayton at a glance
- Clayton is about 7.9 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- It is the 39th most populous of 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- Households here earn a median of $78,822 a year, 9% more than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $329,600 (14% above North Carolina) and median rent is $1,661 a month.
Local data for Clayton, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Clayton, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$78,822
Poverty rate
5.9%
Median home value
$329,600
Median rent
$1,661/mo
Homeownership
62.7%
Bachelor's or higher
40.4%
Median age
33.0
Average commute
31.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,432), German Americans (1,778), Mexican Americans (1,235).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Johnston County. PPP loans are for Clayton.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$56,109
65,551 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,335
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.5B
FY 2026, $6,730 per person
How people get to work
Clayton, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.7%
- Carpooled7.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.7%
- Worked from home18.2%
Average one-way commute: 31.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Clayton, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
761
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
489
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 30°F
52.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Clayton, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.2%
U.S. 33.3% +1.9 pts
Diabetes
10.6%
U.S. 12.1% -1.5 pts
Smoking
13.3%
U.S. 12.8% +0.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.4%
U.S. 11.1% -0.7 pts
ZIP codes in Clayton
2 in or overlapping Clayton. Population shown
Cities near Clayton
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Archer LodgeTown | 5.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Wilson's MillsTown | 6.9 mi | 6.4 |
| GarnerTown | 8.9 mi | 19.7 |
| KnightdaleTown | 10 mi | 9.6 |
| WendellTown | 11 mi | 9.4 |
| SmithfieldTown | 12 mi | 12.7 |
| SelmaTown | 13 mi | 5.4 |
| Four OaksTown | 14 mi | 2.8 |
| ZebulonTown | 15 mi | 6.6 |
| Pine LevelTown | 16 mi | 1.8 |
| MicroTown | 16 mi | 0.4 |
| RaleighCity | 17 mi | 150.9 |
| MiddlesexTown | 18 mi | 1 |
| AngierTown | 18 mi | 4.6 |
| BensonTown | 19 mi | 3 |
| Fuquay-VarinaTown | 19 mi | 19.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Clayton, NC in?
- Clayton is in Johnston County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Clayton, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Clayton include 27520, 27527.
- What is the population of Clayton, NC?
- About 29,320 people live in Clayton, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Clayton?
- Nearby places include Archer Lodge (5.7 mi), Wilson's Mills (6.9 mi), Garner (8.9 mi), Knightdale (10 mi), Wendell (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023