Clayton, North Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Clayton, North Carolina is 28,043 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 38th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $73,348, the median home value is $292,400, and the median age is 32.7.

The population has grown 94.5% since 2010 (16,316 → 31,732).

28,043

Population

1670

People / sq mi

$73,348

Median Income

$292,400

Median Home Value

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Clayton covers 16.8 sq mi of land at 1670 people per square mile.

About Clayton, NC

Clayton skews on age — the median resident is 32.7, younger than the national median. Clayton is a city in North Carolina with a population of 28,043. It ranks #38 among cities in North Carolina by population.

Median household income is $73,348, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 6.5%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $292,400, with typical rent around $1,542.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 35.6% of adults hold a four-year degree, near the national 35.0%. Remote work is close to the national 14.0% at 14.6%, and the average commute runs about 32 minutes each way.

Clayton town Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Clayton town had a population of 16,316 in 2010 and 31,732 in 2024, a 94.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 31,732 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 4.88%.

Clayton town population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

31,732

Population (2024)

16,316

Population (2010)

31,732

Peak (2024)

4.88%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	16,316	-	-	estimate
2011	16,701	+385	+2.36%	estimate
2012	17,071	+370	+2.22%	estimate
2013	17,633	+562	+3.29%	estimate
2014	18,313	+680	+3.86%	estimate
2015	19,117	+804	+4.39%	estimate
2016	20,082	+965	+5.05%	estimate
2017	21,420	+1,338	+6.66%	estimate
2018	22,909	+1,489	+6.95%	estimate
2019	24,887	+1,978	+8.63%	estimate
2020	26,698	+1,811	+7.28%	estimate
2021	28,370	+1,672	+6.26%	estimate
2022	29,465	+1,095	+3.86%	estimate
2023	30,325	+860	+2.92%	estimate
2024	31,732	+1,407	+4.64%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	60.2%
Black or African American	27.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Economy & Income

$73,348

Median Household Income

$35,285

Per Capita Income

6.5%

Poverty Rate

1.4%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$292,400

Median Home Value

$1,542

Median Rent

64.3%

Owner-Occupied

Education

94.7%

High School+

35.6%

Bachelor's+

Commute

0.0%

Drive Alone

76.2%

Public Transit

14.6%

Work From Home

32.0 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

41.2%

Foreign Born

83.7%

Non-English at Home

8.0%

Veterans

10.3%

With Disability

88.8%

Health Insurance

96.3%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management	18.3%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	14.4%
Manufacturing	11.8%
Retail Trade	9.1%
Information	8.2%
Education, Health Care & Social Services	7.6%
Construction	5.8%
Public Administration	4.3%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services	4.0%
Transportation & Warehousing	1.3%

Largest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte (886,283)Raleigh (470,763)Greensboro (298,564)Durham (288,465)Winston-Salem (250,887)Fayetteville (209,692)Cary (176,686)Wilmington (118,578)High Point (115,263)Concord (106,518)View all North Carolina cities →

Largest counties in North Carolina

Wake County (1,151,009)Mecklenburg County (1,130,906)Guilford County (542,987)Forsyth County (386,740)Cumberland County (336,749)

Part of North Carolina

North Carolina demographic profile All North Carolina data →

Metro areas in North Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Raleigh (1,449,594)Greensboro (779,894)Winston (683,637)Durham (594,291)Wilmington (440,578)Asheville (410,817)All US metros →

City rankings

US Cities by Population Cities With Highest Median Income Expensive US Cities by Home Value Youngest US Cities by Median Age Racially Diverse US Cities Cities With Highest Rent Educated US Cities Cities With Highest Work From Home Rates Cheapest US Cities by Median Home Value Cities With Lowest Rent All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Clayton, North Carolina has a population of 28,043 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 38th-largest city in North Carolina.

The median household income in Clayton, North Carolina is $73,348, with 6.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Clayton, North Carolina is $292,400, with median monthly rent at $1,542 and a homeownership rate of 64.3%.

The median age in Clayton, North Carolina is 32.7 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

The population has grown 94.5% since 2010 (16,316 → 31,732).

Where to stay in Clayton

Visiting or relocating to Clayton, NC? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.

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More from North Carolina

Population 886,283

Population 470,763

Population 298,564

Population 288,465

Population 250,887

All cities in North Carolina

Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population

North Carolina demographic profile

Statewide data for North Carolina

North Carolina demographics 2026 — complete guide

Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina

Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.