February 2, 2026
Raleigh is a great region that includes a wide variety of unique cities and towns. As you’re thinking about moving to this area, expand your range to find your new hometown among the many choices. And check out why Clayton, NC, is no longer the best kept secret among Raleigh suburbs.
Clayton, NC, sits 14 miles southeast of Raleigh, in Johnston County, just over the border from Wake County. This distinction makes the town more affordable, but we’ll look at that a bit later.
Clayton is considered part of The Research Triangle, a region of North Carolina that is heralded for innovation. Global and national companies have established headquarters and offices in this region, alongside exciting start-ups and small businesses. Living in Clayton, NC puts you close to a major employment hub.
Getting from Clayton to Raleigh is an easy drive along routes I-40 and US 70. The highway gets you back and forth conveniently, but when you take the turnoff to Clayton, you leave behind the urban world and ease into small-town living. Not isolated, but serene.
The town spans about 17 square miles, considerably smaller than some of the other Raleigh suburbs, like Apex (25 square miles). But in comparison, Apex is home to about 76,000 residents, while Clayton has about half (37,000). Fewer people per square mile means more space.
The current population represents a large jump in recent years. In 2020, Clayton had 29,000 residents. In 2010, there were 16,307 people. Clayton has more than doubled in population in the past 15 years! It’s now topping the list of fastest-growing towns in Johnston County. Still, it’s maintaining the small town character that attracts so many residents, visitors, and businesses.
People who lived through the growth will tell you that Clayton is keeping up with the change. The town’s leadership recognizes the importance of serving all residents, a key factor in managing such steady and rapid growth.
In 2021, the town’s leaders drafted a Comprehensive Growth Plan. The detailed plan represents intense research into the needs of the town in the years ahead, as people and businesses keep coming. From surveys, interviews, and town meetings, they gathered ideas, opinions, and feedback from townspeople, business owners, property owners, municipal employees (including schools), healthcare representatives, nonprofit organizations, and members of the economic development community—90% of whom live in Clayton.
The responses showed that only 19% of the people lived or owned property in Clayton for 20 years or more. The rest are part of the “Clayton migration”. And the most common responses for why they chose to live in Clayton were:
Knowing the priorities, the committee explored the needs, wants, and concerns of the people of Clayton.
Can we continue to grow but keep the small town feel?
What do we need for the infrastructure to support more people and businesses?
What will increased traffic do to the town and parking?
Will there be housing that accommodates a variety of income levels and preferences?
Will our schools be able to keep up with delivering quality education as the enrollment keeps growing?
How do we preserve our natural resources and environment?
Will changes compromise the historic character of Clayton?
In other words, how can we grow without the growing pains that usually go along with it? Careful planning is the solution. And if you’re thinking of moving your home or business to Clayton, you can rest assured that the town is ready for you. It’s one of the small towns near Raleigh that’s big on a vision for the future.
One of the biggest compliments people give to Clayton is the quality of the downtown district. The blocks that surround Main Street are filled with locally owned businesses—truly unique places, each with a character all their own.
Downtown Clayton is a walkable area that showcases the historic beauty and charm of the town. The appeal has increased the number of visitors, which also brings new businesses. Entrepreneurs welcome the steady traffic of interested customers.
To manage the influx, the Clayton Comprehensive Growth Plan includes a Downtown Master Plan. This section of the overall plan targets strategies that control land use downtown, improve signage, expand parking, and improve streets and streetscaping. Historic preservation is a priority with a plan for managing aesthetics. Outdoor seating will add to the potential for enjoying the district. And the calendar of community events—already covering activities all year—will be managed and expanded by the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Association. Clayton Town Square is expected to get a permanent stage for special events.Horne Square is also targeted to get a makeover in Downtown Clayton, with more outdoor seating and shade, prioritizing pedestrian traffic over vehicles.
When you visit Downtown Clayton right now, you’ll see a wide variety of businesses. The vast number of choices gives you the freedom to shop, eat, play, work, and just have fun. Any day of the week, any week of the year, you could experience something different or just get more of what you came here for.
Clayton is also known as affordable, with the cost of living in Clayton is 8% lower than the national average. Will the expected growth impact housing costs?
Through numerous grants, partnerships, fundraising, and tax incentives Clayton has been aggressive in securing the resources to go forth with the plans outlined in the Comprehensive Growth Plan.
If you’re searching for new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, you should also pay attention to the county where it’s located. Wake County—home to Raleigh, Apex, and Cary—has a median property tax of $1,793. Just over the border in Johnston County to Clayton, the median is $1,128. So, travel a little farther, 14 miles from Raleigh, and save about 37% on your annual property tax.
This affordable cost of living is another reason why Clayton, NC, is no longer the best-kept secret among Raleigh suburbs!
There’s no one type of person who wants to enjoy small-town living. Clayton’s population is diverse, with young professionals, growing families, multi-generational households, and empty nesters coming home here. Maybe you’re getting started as a first-time homebuyer or looking for a home where you can age in place. You are leaning toward modern design and construction, or considering tackling the challenge of a fixer-upper.
It’s all here in Clayton.
The Plan explains, “During the development of the Comprehensive Plan, participants conveyed a need to maintain housing affordability and encourage housing variety, while maintaining high standards for new development.”
The selection of new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, is equally diverse. You can find single-level living, townhomes, and multi-story homes. There are large lots and smaller ones, downtown locations and a little or a lot more rural. You can also live by Cattail Lake, in a new development of luxury homes.
The Clayton Comprehensive Growth Plan emphasizes the commitment to maintaining greenways and open spaces as the town continues to develop. Pedestrian connections are also a priority, to ensure the safety of people in and out of the downtown area. But no matter where you go, you’ll see the consistent curb appeal that makes Clayton such a wonderful place to live.
If you want to move to a small town near Raleigh so you can enjoy more of the outdoors, Clayton should be on your list of possible hometowns.
Clayton attracts active people because of the abundance of recreational opportunities. No matter what sport you enjoy, you’ll be able to do it close to home. The 250-mile Neuse River and the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail run through town. Paddling—canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding—is popular on the gently flowing Neuse River. Miles of paved trails make it easy to go for a leisurely walk, run, or bike ride on the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse and Sam’s Branch Greenway.
The network of parks in Clayton supports a wide variety of sports: basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, disc golf, pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, shuffleboard, and flag football. The Clayton Community Center provides a 32,000-square-foot facility that’s equipped with a fitness center, indoor walking track, and gymnasium. Municipal Park has a splash pad, and the outdoor pool at the East Triangle YMCA adds another place to cool off.
Clayton also supports special needs when it comes to recreation. Harmony Playground was built to be ADA-compliant. Completed a few years ago, the all-inclusive play area allows children and adults of all abilities to play together and develop valuable skills.
As Clayton continues to welcome new residents, the plan recommends reviewing the greenways plan annually, with an eye toward expanding and repaving. They hope to increase access for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on the Neuse River.
And most importantly, Clayton wants its residents to have a park within a 10-minute walk of their home. Meeting that goal requires acquiring more land and working closely with developers. How many small towns near Raleigh are looking ahead like this?
The pace of Clayton’s growth might concern some homebuyers. Can the town’s infrastructure handle the influx of newcomers?
What about emergency services, like law enforcement and fire department staffing, equipment, and stations?
Can the electric and water supply support the new homes and commercial buildings?
Is the existing wastewater treatment system capable of handling higher demand?
Are homeowners going to pay more for trash collection?
Can I get reliable internet coverage?
The town planners have examined the impact of continuing growth on infrastructure. The Clayton Comprehensive Growth Plan outlines the many steps involved in ensuring that the people who live and work in Clayton are supported with these basic needs. FIber optic cable is already being installed to support strong internet and telecommunications connectivity. Some local builders, like New Home Inc., are also installing CAT6 cable in their new homes for sale in Clayton, NC. CAT6 is the preferred wiring for a more robust signal, without dead zones.
Add the quality of the schools to the other reasons why Clayton, NC, is no longer the best kept secret among Raleigh suburbs. Clayton has a highly rated school district, so it’s ahead of the learning curve.
The 14 schools—eight elementary, three middle, two high schools, and one alternative—deliver a quality education. The town prioritizes the importance of serving students. The faculty currently includes 260 nationally board-certified teachers, and the staff levels allow for a low student:teacher ratio that benefits every child and educator. The efforts to provide a strong education has resulted in a 93.4% graduation rate, representing a 13% increase in four years. Top-rated Cleveland High School and Clayton High School are considered two of the best public high schools in the county.
At the elementary level, your child could attend some top-notch schools:
When you add up all the advantages of living in a forward-thinking, growing town that is committed to keeping its small town feel, the next step is to look for the right home.
Once you decide the Raleigh region is right for you, you’ll discover many suburbs to explore. Consider Clayton’s impressive growth in recent years. Then review the Clayton Comprehensive Growth Plan’s detailed approach to managing the influx of new residents and businesses.
As mentioned, you can find a variety of new and resale homes throughout Clayton. But if you want something more distinctive, plan to visit Cattail. Just a few miles from Downtown Clayton, this master-planned community sits on 575 wooded acres surrounding the 80-acre Cattail Lake.
When completed, the neighborhood will consist of less than 300 homes in total. Cattail’s developers chose to site the homes on larger lots, rather than fit more homes there. Homesites range from half an acre to more than three! And you’ll be lakeside or within a very short walk to the lakeshore.
Cattail’s amenities combine the luxury of a resort with the serenity of the natural surroundings. Imagine lying under a cabana by the pool that overlooks the lake. Sit by the firepit with family, friends, and neighbors on a cool night. Get together in the clubhouse for a party or club meeting. Take a leisurely ride or walk along the paved trails that wind along the shoreline.
Cattail residents will also have a boat launch, private docks, and a fishing spot in the stocked lake.
Construction on the first phase of 51 homes began in 2025. Two enclaves are coming to life: The Peninsula at Cattail and The Preserve at Cattail.
Cattail homebuyers can choose how they want to select their home once they’ve decided on the lot to build on:
Not sure which home is suited to you? Contact a Cattail new home specialist to discuss the possibilities! Plan your trip to see for yourself why Clayton, NC, is no longer the best kept secret among Raleigh suburbs.