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
Clayton covers 16.8 sq mi of land at 1670 people per square mile.
About Clayton, NC
Clayton is a city in North Carolina with a population of 28,043. It ranks #38 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 32.7, younger than the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The median household income in Clayton is $73,348, near the US median of $74,580. 6.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $292,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,542. The homeownership rate of 64.3% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Clayton reflects 35.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 14.6% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 32.0 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%.
31,732
Population (2024)
16,316
Population (2010)
31,732
Peak (2024)
4.88%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16,316 |
| 2011 | 16,701 |
| 2012 | 17,071 |
| 2013 | 17,633 |
| 2014 | 18,313 |
| 2015 | 19,117 |
| 2016 | 20,082 |
| 2017 | 21,420 |
| 2018 | 22,909 |
| 2019 | 24,887 |
| 2020 | 26,698 |
| 2021 | 28,370 |
| 2022 | 29,465 |
| 2023 | 30,325 |
| 2024 | 31,732 |
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
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City 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).
More from North Carolina
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.