Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET
Where is Clayton Located? - Clayton is a city located in the Johnston, Wake County of North Carolina, United States. Clayton lies between 40.2205824 Degrees North latitudes and 74.759717 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton Map, North Carolina, USA
Where is Clayton?: The Google Map showing the location of Clayton in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
Where is Clayton Located?
Clayton is a city located in the Johnston, Wake County of North Carolina, United States. Clayton lies between 40.2205824 Degrees North latitudes and 74.759717 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Clayton city is 26307 people and the city has a total area of 15.14 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
Clayton, North Carolina Climate and Weather Overview
Month
Avg High (°F)
Avg Low (°F)
Avg Rainfall (in)
January
52
31
3.5
April
73
49
3.3
July
90
71
5.2
October
73
50
3.3
Annual
72
50
46.5
Climate Attribute
Details
Climate Classification (Köppen)
Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
Annual Rainfall
About 46.5 in
Annual Sunshine Days
Approximately 216 days
Hurricane/Tornado Risk
Moderate hurricane remnants and moderate tornado risk
Snowfall
About 3 in annually
Driving Distances from Clayton, North Carolina
City
State
Distance (mi)
Approx. Drive Time
Raleigh
North Carolina
17
25 min
Garner
North Carolina
10
15 min
Smithfield
North Carolina
12
18 min
Cary
North Carolina
24
35 min
Apex
North Carolina
28
40 min
Durham
North Carolina
38
45 min
Rocky Mount
North Carolina
48
55 min
Goldsboro
North Carolina
43
50 min
Fayetteville
North Carolina
58
1 hr
Greensboro
North Carolina
88
1 hr 35 min
Transportation and Connectivity in Clayton, North Carolina
Feature
Details
Airport Name
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
IATA Code
RDU
Port
Port of Wilmington (nearest major seaport)
Major Highways
US 70, NC 42, NC 50, I-40 (nearby), I-540 (nearby)
Train/Amtrak Service
Nearest Amtrak station at Raleigh Union Station
Local Bus/Transit Service
Johnston County Area Transit (JCAT) and GoTriangle commuter connections
US Highway 70 - Primary east-west highway connecting Clayton with Raleigh and Goldsboro.
North Carolina Highway 42 - Regional route linking Clayton with Fuquay-Varina and Wilson's Mills.
North Carolina Highway 50 - Connects the town with Benson, Raleigh, and surrounding communities.
Interstate 40 - Located a few miles north, providing direct access to Raleigh, Durham, and Wilmington.
Interstate 540 (Triangle Expressway) - Offers convenient access to Research Triangle Park, RDU Airport, and western Wake County.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Clayton, North Carolina
Landmark Name
Type
Clayton River Walk on the Neuse
Greenway
Clemmons Educational State Forest
State Forest
The Clayton Center
Performing Arts Venue
East Clayton Community Park
Community Park
Clayton Community Park
Park
Sam's Branch Greenway
Greenway
Broadslab Distillery
Distillery
Ava Gardner Museum
Museum
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site
Historic Site
Lake Benson Park
Park
Colleges and Universities in Clayton, North Carolina
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
Johnston Community College
Public
Community College
Career and technical education
Southeastern Free Will Baptist College
Private
University
Christian higher education
North Carolina State University
Public
University
Research university
William Peace University
Private
University
Liberal arts education
Wake Technical Community College
Public
Community College
Workforce training
Waterbodies in Clayton, North Carolina
Neuse River, Swift Creek, Buffalo Creek, Marks Creek, Mill Creek, Little River, Sam's Branch, Moccasin Creek, Lake Benson, Robertson Millpond Preserve
Golf Courses in Clayton, North Carolina
Riverwood Golf Club, Pine Hollow Golf Club, Neuse Golf Club, Reedy Creek Golf Course, River Ridge Golf Club, Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Johnston County Country Club, The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club
Clayton, North Carolina - Key Historical Facts
Clayton was founded in 1869 after the arrival of the North Carolina Railroad, which encouraged trade and settlement.
The town was named after John Middleton Clayton, a 19th-century North Carolina politician and congressman.
During the late 1800s, tobacco, cotton, and agricultural products played an important role in Clayton's economy.
Clayton's historic downtown still features several preserved buildings that reflect its railroad heritage and early commercial growth.
The community has grown rapidly since the 1990s as part of the expanding Raleigh metropolitan area while maintaining its small-town character.
Today, Clayton is known for its parks, greenways, performing arts venues, and strong quality of life in Johnston County.
