Clayton ZIP Codes — Johnston County, NC

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Clayton, North Carolina. Area code: 919/984.

ZIP codes

114.87

sq mi land

0.47

sq mi water

919/984

area code

Clayton, NC ZIP code map

About Clayton, NC

Clayton, North Carolina, is a vibrant town located in the heart of Johnston County. With its charming small-town atmosphere and growing community, Clayton offers a unique blend of modern amenities and Southern hospitality. Residents appreciate the area's rich history and the convenience of being just a short drive from the larger city of Raleigh.

Location & geography

Clayton is situated approximately 20 miles east of Raleigh, making it an appealing location for those who commute to the state capital. Surrounding cities include Smithfield to the south, Garner to the west, and Wilson to the northeast, enhancing the town's connectivity. The town encompasses a land area of 114.87 square miles, with a small water area of 0.47 square miles, contributing to its diverse topography.

Community & economy

The character of Clayton is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community, making it a great place for families and individuals alike. The economy here is supported primarily by retail, healthcare, and agriculture, which cater to both locals and visitors. Daily life in Clayton is enriched by various local events, parks, and recreational opportunities that foster community engagement.

Transportation

Clayton is accessible via major highways including U.S. Route 70 and Interstate 40, providing convenient routes for both residents and travelers. The nearest major airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located about 30 miles away, offering extensive domestic and international flights. Public transportation options may be limited, but the convenient highway access facilitates travel throughout the region.

History

Clayton was founded in the late 19th century and steadily grew as a hub for agriculture and later for small manufacturing. Key industries have evolved over time, with the town now enjoying a diverse economy that supports both locals and new businesses. Notable events in Clayton's history include its incorporation in 1869 and the development of local railroads that contributed to its growth.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Clayton is that it features a historic downtown area known for its antique shops and cultural events. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Clayton Harvest Festival, which attracts visitors from surrounding areas to celebrate local culture and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Clayton, NC (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27520	Clayton	Johnston	View map
27527	Clayton	Johnston	View map
27528	Clayton	Johnston	View map

Demographics & statistics

80,380

Population

38.2

Median age

$93,357

Median household income

$40,831

Per capita income

$282,600

Median home value

$1,350

Median monthly rent

81.5%

Home ownership

7.0%

Poverty rate

2.8%

Unemployment

24,565

Housing units

35.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,354

Under 5

2,354

2,562

5–9

2,562

3,297

10–14

3,297

2,994

15–19

2,994

2,888

20–24

2,888

4,648

25–34

4,648

5,912

35–44

5,912

6,318

45–54

6,318

2,364

55–59

2,364

2,165

60–64

2,165

2,918

65–74

2,918

1,357

75–84

1,357

417

85+

417

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	20,537	25.9%
18 and over	59,843	74.1%
65 and over	9,382	11.6%
Median age	38.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 63.6%

Black or African American 17.2%

Hispanic or Latino 7.9%

Other race 5.5%

Two or more races 5%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	55,526	63.6%
Black or African American	14,998	17.2%
Hispanic or Latino	6,866	7.9%
Other race	4,779	5.5%
Two or more races	4,361	5%
Asian	564	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	78	0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	74	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.9%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 3.4%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 7.5%

$50k–$75k 16.2%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 25.7%

$150k–$200k 10.7%

$200k+ 11.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.9%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	3.4%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	7.5%
$50k–$75k	16.2%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	25.7%
$150k–$200k	10.7%
$200k+	11.2%
Median income	$93,357

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.0%

$50k–$100k 2.1%

$100k–$150k 4.1%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 33.0%

$300k–$500k 37.0%

$500k–$1M 7.8%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$282,600
Median rent / month	$1,350
Owner occupied	81.5%
Renter occupied	18.5%
Vacant	4.7%
Single-family detached	79.6%
Large apartment buildings	2.9%
Mobile homes	8.9%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.90

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.2%
2010–2019	31.4%
2000–2009	28.3%
1990–1999	22.1%
1980–1989	8.2%
1970–1979	2.9%
1960–1969	2.2%
1950–1959	1.2%
1940–1949	0.9%
1939 or earlier	2.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	3.0%
2 bedrooms	11.2%
3 bedrooms	52.3%
4 bedrooms	26.5%
5+ bedrooms	6.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.1%
1 vehicle	21.4%
2 vehicles	44.7%
3 or more	31.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	20.1%
Electricity	73.4%
Propane / LP gas	4.4%
Fuel oil	0.6%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.7%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	17,481	61.7%
Cohabiting couple	1,694	5.7%
Male householder, no spouse	3,292	11.4%
Female householder, no spouse	6,137	21.3%
Households with children under 18	11,064	39.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,058	24.5%
Average household size	2.81

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.5%	26.0%
Married	58.3%	54.2%
Separated	1.4%	1.5%
Widowed	2.1%	7.1%
Divorced	6.8%	11.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.6%

Some HS, no diploma 2.8%

HS graduate 23.4%

Some college, no degree 21.7%

Associate's degree 14.1%

Bachelor's degree 25.4%

Graduate / professional 10.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.7%
Bachelor's or higher	35.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	611	2.8%
Kindergarten	1,316	5.8%
Elementary school	8,895	40.6%
High school	5,281	24.1%
College / grad school	5,853	26.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.2%

Professional & management 13.3%

Retail trade 11.3%

Manufacturing 10.6%

Finance & real estate 9.6%

Construction 8.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Public administration 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Other services 3.7%

Wholesale trade 3.1%

Information 1.8%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	43.4%
Service	13.9%
Sales & office	21.8%
Natural resources & construction	8.3%
Production & transportation	12.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.2%
Government	16.6%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.3%
Carpool	8.4%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	33.4

Poverty

All people 7.0%

Under 18 years 10.6%

18 and over 5.8%

Married-couple families 3.1%

Female-led households 12.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.0%
Retirement income	21.8%
Supplemental Security	3.0%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.8%
High cholesterol	31.4%
Heart disease	4.6%
Stroke	2.3%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	20.3%
Kidney disease	2.3%
Pulmonary disease	5.1%
Cancer	5.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.5%
No physical activity	19.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.2%
Fair or poor health	10.8%
Poor mental health	13.9%
Poor physical health	8.6%
No health insurance	15.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.4%
Visited dentist	69.7%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	11.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	5,932	10.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.0%
Under 18	5.5%
18–64 years	8.1%
65 and over	29.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	77.0%
Public insurance	25.5%
Uninsured under 19	4.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	75,673	94.1%
Spanish	2,983	3.9%
Other Indo-European	2,477	3.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	312	0.5%
Other languages	41	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	74,830	93.3%
Born in same state	73,800	92.0%
Born in different state	38,937	48.1%
Foreign born	1,030	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	5,550	6.8%
Not a US citizen	2,237	41.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	9,405	11.7%
Italian	6,612	8.2%
Arab	5,720	7.1%
English	686	0.9%
Polish	500	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	279	0.3%
Dutch	223	0.3%
Irish	88	0.1%
Norwegian	24	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.6%
Internet access	96.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Clayton, NC have?

Clayton, NC has 3 ZIP codes: 27520, 27527, and 27528. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.