Clayton, NC Demographics

A map of Clayton's Population by Race

Clayton, North Carolina has an estimated population of 29,320, a large increase from the 26,307 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.2% White, 27.6% Black, 13.2% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 2.0% Native American/Other, and 0.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Clayton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Clayton has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Clayton, that probability was 61.9% in 2020 and 61.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Clayton is ranked the 39th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Clayton was ranked the 42nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Clayton's White Population

15,886 residents of Clayton, or 54.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Clayton is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Clayton ranks 529th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's White population has grown by an estimated 9.4%. White residents' share of Clayton's population has decreased from 55.2% to 54.2%.

Clayton is more White than neighboring Wilson's Mills (33.6% White), Wendell (47.6% White), Knightdale (33.8% White), and Garner (52% White). Clayton is less White than neighboring Archer Lodge (66.7% White).

Clayton's Black Population

8,079 residents of Clayton, or 27.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Clayton is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Clayton ranks 241st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Black population has grown by an estimated 32.5%. Black residents' share of Clayton's population has increased from 23.2% to 27.6%.

Clayton is more Black than neighboring Archer Lodge (11.7% Black), Wilson's Mills (17.7% Black), Wendell (24.5% Black), and Garner (25.1% Black). Clayton is less Black than neighboring Knightdale (44.5% Black).

Clayton's Asian Population

196 residents of Clayton, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Clayton is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Clayton ranks 159th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Asian population has declined by an estimated 51.8%. Asian residents' share of Clayton's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.7%.

Clayton is more Asian than neighboring Archer Lodge (0% Asian). Clayton is less Asian than neighboring Wilson's Mills (0.9% Asian), Wendell (1% Asian), Knightdale (5% Asian), and Garner (3.2% Asian).

Clayton's Hispanic Population

3,860 residents of Clayton, or 13.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Clayton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Clayton ranks 114th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Clayton's population has decreased from 14.3% to 13.2%.

Clayton is more Hispanic than neighboring Knightdale (10.9% Hispanic). Clayton is less Hispanic than neighboring Archer Lodge (18.5% Hispanic), Wilson's Mills (43% Hispanic), and Wendell (24.4% Hispanic).

Clayton's Native American/Other Population

588 residents of Clayton, or 2.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Clayton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Clayton ranks 274th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 144.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Clayton's population has increased from 0.9% to 2.0%.

Clayton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Archer Lodge (0.2% Native American/Other), Wilson's Mills (0.1% Native American/Other), Wendell (0.2% Native American/Other), Knightdale (1.2% Native American/Other), and Garner (1.6% Native American/Other).

Clayton's Multiracial Population

711 residents of Clayton, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Clayton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Clayton ranks 146th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clayton's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 44.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Clayton's population has decreased from 4.9% to 2.4%.

Clayton is more Multiracial than neighboring Wendell (2.2% Multiracial). Clayton is less Multiracial than neighboring Archer Lodge (2.9% Multiracial), Wilson's Mills (4.8% Multiracial), Knightdale (4.6% Multiracial), and Garner (4.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.