Clayton, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Johnston County County
3.4
/5.0
B
Good
28,043
Population
1,670/sq mi density
$73,348
Median Income
$35,285 per capita
$292,400
Home Value
$361,047 Zillow
$1,542
Median Rent
30.9% income on rent
60°F
Avg Temperature
168
Violent Crime/100K
1,283 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$73,348 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$292,400 home value, $1,542/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
168 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Clayton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.1 inches. The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.9°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 274 ft (84 m) |
| Area | 16.8 sq mi (43.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,670/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6581°N, 78.4460°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Johnston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 71.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0449 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.1 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 6.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 5.9 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 44°F (6°C) | 3.8 in |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and February the driest (3.1").