Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton is a town of 29,320 people in Johnston County, North Carolina, founded in 1869.
Why visit Clayton
Townapedia lists 10 museums and landmarks, 22 parks and trails, 103 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Beaver Dam, Clayton Banking Company Building, Bungalow Bounce and Legend Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 89°F; January lows average 30°F.
Weather in Clayton
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Clayton
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States, and is considered a suburb of Raleigh. As of 2020, Clayton's population was 26,307, up from 16,116 at the 2010 census. By 2024, the town's estimated population was 30,621. 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.
From the Wikipedia article Clayton, North Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Farm and orchard · 0.8 mi
348 East Main Street, Clayton
Lee's Produce & Garden Center
Farm and orchard · 1.0 mi
401 West Main Street, Clayton
Museums and landmarks10
Beaver Dam
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
Clayton Banking Company Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Bank building in Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton Graded School and Clayton Grammar School-Municipal Auditorium
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic school building in North Carolina, United States
Clayton Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Historic district in Clayton, North Carolina
Ellington-Ellis Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
Stallings-Carpenter House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Clayton, North Carolina, NRHP-listed
Walnut Hill Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.2 mi
Historic district in North Carolina, United States
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Clemmons Educational State Forest
Museum · 2.6 mi
Protected area in North Carolina, United States
Academy Of Music And Vocal ARts
Museum · 2.9 mi
34-102 Oleander Drive, Clayton
Parks, trails and playgrounds22
Bungalow Bounce
Playground · 3.6 mi
Childrens Amusement Center
101 Best Wood Drive, Clayton
Tu-Th 10:00-15:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa, Su 10:00-14:30
Bailey and Sarah Williamson Nature Preserve and River Walk (Town of Clayton)
Hiking and trails · 2.9 mi
10 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes103
Carolina Bleu Restaurant & Grille
Restaurant · Seafood · 3.0 mi
13049 US 70 Business West, Clayton
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00
Mezcalito Grill
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.8 mi
229 Briarcliff Drive, Clayton
Mo-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-21:00
Outback Steakhouse
Restaurant · American, Steak · 1.7 mi
11756 Clayton Boulevard, Clayton
Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 11:00-21:00
Q’ Chingon Mexican Restobar
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.7 mi
11617 Clayton Boulevard, Clayton
Mo,Su 11:00-21:00; Tu-We 11:00-21:30; Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Romeo's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.4 mi
1130 West Main Street, Clayton
Mo-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Venero's Pizzeria
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.4 mi
9973 US 70 Business East;NC 42 East, Clayton
Su-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr 11:00-22:30; Sa 12:00-22:00
Revival 1869
Bar and pub · 0.8 mi
222 East Main Street, Clayton
Mo-Tu 05:00-22:00; We-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-00:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Sushi Iwa Clayton INC
Restaurant · 1.7 mi
11629 Clayton Boulevard, Clayton
Su-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30
91 more on the map.
History
In 1701, English surveyor John Lawson, who was traveling down the Neuse River from Charleston, South Carolina, first visited the Clayton area, on his way to the Piedmont and eastern North Carolina. Four years later, the region was incorporated into Craven County, which then stretched west of New Bern to the Pacific Ocean. In the early eighteenth century, the area had been largely inhabited by the Tuscarora tribe, who in 1711 were defeated by European settlers and their Native American allies and forced to leave the area, then part of the Province of Carolina.
From the History section of Clayton, North Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay2
Churches and places of worship23
Mount Calvary Baptist Clayton
Place of worship · 2.3 mi
5217 Barber Mill Road, Clayton
New Believers Christian Center
Place of worship · 1.1 mi
140 Durham Street, Clayton
New Generation Fellowship Church
Place of worship · 1.2 mi
910 West Stallings Street, Clayton
New Hope Faithful Friends Academy
Place of worship · 1.0 mi
700 West Stallings Street, Clayton
New Trinity Missionary Baptist
Place of worship · 1.0 mi
115 South Robertson Street, Clayton
Shopping19
Hudson's Harware & Outdoor Equipment
Hardware store · 1.5 mi
77 Amelia Church Road, Clayton
Gas and EV charging12
Schools, colleges and libraries22
Healthcare13
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.0 mi
5420 Barber Mill Road, Clayton
Clayton-East Raleigh VA Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.5 mi
11618 US 70 Business Highway West, Clayton
WakeMed MyCare 365 Primary and Urgent Care - Clayton
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.7 mi
12701 US 70 Business East, Clayton
Awaken Med Spa Of Clayton
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.3 mi
205 Boling Street, Clayton
Fresenius Kidney Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.0 mi
5420 Barber Mill Road, Clayton
Insight Family & Pediatric
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.8 mi
211 West Stallings Street, Clayton
Mann Ear Nose & Throat
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.5 mi
11618 US-70 Business, Clayton
Map of Clayton
229 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 30°F | 4.3 in | 2.2 in |
| Feb | 56°F | 31°F | 3.1 in | 0.1 in |
| Mar | 63°F | 37°F | 4.1 in | 0.1 in |
| Apr | 73°F | 46°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 79°F | 56°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 89°F | 69°F | 6.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 68°F | 5.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 5.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 72°F | 49°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 63°F | 38°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 55°F | 32°F | 3.8 in | 0.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Clayton Wtp (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Johnston County has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-08-06: Tropical Storm Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2022-10-01: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
- 2020-08-02: Hurricane Isaias (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Bagwell Airport (NC99) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Archer Lodge 5 mi east, about 7 min by car
- Wilson's Mills 7 mi southeast, about 11 min by car
- Wendell 9 mi north, about 15 min by car
- Garner 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
- Raleigh 16 mi northwest, about 26 min by car
- Cary 23 mi west, about 37 min by car
- Apex 25 mi west, about 40 min by car
- Durham 34 mi northwest, about 54 min by car
- Anderson Creek 40 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
- Fayetteville 50 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- First Baptist Church, Clayton, Indy beetle, CC0
- Clayton (1), LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clayton Performing Arts Center, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clayton Graded School and Clayton Grammar School-Municipal Auditorium, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clayton Auditorium and Elementary School, Nyttend, Public domain
- Clayton City Cemetery, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clayton High School, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Beaver Dam SE, Nicholas Oren Rawlings, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clayton, North Carolina (14771188842), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Clayton Banking Company Building, Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Oaky Grove Methodist Episcopal Church NE, Nicholas Oren Rawlings, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clemmons Educational State Forest, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Horne Cemetery, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clay Theatre, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hocutt Ellington Memorial Library, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Maplewood Cemetery (1), LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ellington-Ellis Farm, LikeGrantTookRichmond, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Deputy Secretary Torres Small visits an Agricultural Research Service Facility at North Carolina State University (20230830-OSEC-JP-0003), USDAgov, Public domain
- Deputy Secretary Torres Small visits an Agricultural Research Service Facility at North Carolina State University (20230830-OSEC-JP-0004), USDAgov, Public domain
- Deputy Secretary Torres Small visits an Agricultural Research Service Facility at North Carolina State University (20230830-OSEC-JP-0002), USDAgov, Public domain
- Deputy Secretary Torres Small visits an Agricultural Research Service Facility at North Carolina State University (20230830-OSEC-JP-0001), USDAgov, Public domain
- Flowers Plantation Pond-27527, Ken Thomas, Public domain
- Two Pond Loop Trail in Williamson Preserve, Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0
- This hat was sent to me s few months ago by a very good friend of mine 2013-07-19 10-22, User:Watchtower431, CC BY-SA 3.0
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