Clayton

By the early 1900’s, the town had become a major market for cotton, watermelons and tobacco. In 1907, the Raleigh Evening Times of nearby Raleigh wrote that there was “more money per capita in Clayton than any city its size in the world”.

But things changed as North Carolina transitioned from its longtime agricultural economy, and Clayton adjusted. The establishment of the Research Triangle Park and the phenomenal growth of nearby Raleigh positioned Clayton as a desirable relocation destination.

By 1980, the population had grown to 4,091 then jumped to 16,116 today. Manufacturers like Caterpillar and bio-pharmaceutical companies like Talecris and Novo Nordisk are big local employers. The growth of Clayton is one of the fastest in the state. Flowers Plantation, located 2.5 miles northeast of Clayton's city limits, is a growing development of approximately 2,000 homes, apartments, and condos. Clayton recently annexed the Riverwood development, a community of 1,500.

So here you are. You have made to the Greater Research Triangle area. Good choice! Many people have decided that living here will provide the very best lifestyle available, including buying a home in Clayton, landing the best employment and even finding the best schools and/or or higher education. Thousands of people have made the decision to relocate to the Research Triangle, just like you. A newcomer will find why the Greater Research Triangle has ranked as one of the best regions in North Carolina to live or work, to buy the best real estate, to start a business, to raise a family, or even to retire.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CLAYTON

Exploring life in Clayton is a good decision, and here are fun things to know:

*Clemmons Educational State Forest - Located in the transition zone between the piedmont and coastal plain, Clemmons offers a mix of pine stands and hardwood vegetation, and a pleasant rolling terrain highlighted by streams and rock outcroppings. These features are made accessible by a series of well-marked trails, accented by exhibits and displays about the ecology of a managed forest. A fascinating feature, especially to children, is a selection of talking trees and rocks. Free admission, public restrooms, picnic shelter, free parking and RV parking. Forest is partially wheelchair accessible. Open mid-March through late November. Open Tues, Thurs, & Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat & Sun, 11am-8pm (DST), 5pm (EST). Closed on Mondays.

CLAYTON'S GOOD LIFE

It has become almost routine for Clayton to be praised as a wonderful place to live. Residents' testimonials, articles and various organizations bestow glowing reviews and accolades about living here. With these superlatives publicized for so long, the Research Triangle area's fame as a great place to live has been a magnet attracting people, like you, to explore and relocate.

This sense of the Clayton good life is expressed on the website of the town of Clayton:

"You hear it around town a lot. Clayton's a great place to live! You hear it from folks who've lived here all their lives, and you hear it from newcomers, too. A town has to have a great sense of confidence and success to proclaim itself The Premier Community for Active Families----and Clayton has it."

CLAYTON'S NEIGHBORS

Clayton is one of 32 sister communities in the Greater Research Triangle region:

Angier

Apex

Benson

Butner

Carrboro

Cary

Chapel Hill

Clayton

Creedmoor

Durham

Franklinton

Fuquay-Varina

Garner

Henderson

Hillsborough

Holly Springs

Knightdale

Louisburg

Mebane

Morrisville

Oxford

Pittsboro

Raleigh

Rolesville

Roxboro

Selma

Siler City

Smithfield

Wake Forest

Wendell

Youngsville

Zebulon

WHY MOVE TO CLAYTON?

Clayton and her neighboring communities share several common benefits. The first great reason to live in the Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful climate. Spring and summer are filled with a bouquet of blossoms that flood the visual and olfactory senses. Parks and beautiful homes treat citizens and visitors alike with colors as if from the palette of a great landscape painter. The fall blazes with glorious colors so awesome that it almost takes your breath away. The winters are mild, and every now and then, the students get a day off for a light snow. It rarely gets below freezing. How could anyone not like the weather and climate in Clayton, North Carolina?

The second reason to live in Clayton is that it is a great place to buy a home. Clayton real estate is affordable. Newcomers can choose between well-established homes for sale or new homes in outstanding new home communities. You can choose a lot and build a custom home. Simply select a homebuilder from the many in Greater Research Triangle. A qualified REALTOR®, real estate agent, mortgage broker or loan officer can assist in the home purchase process and can guide you through the process of finding and buying real estate in Clayton.

Schools are another reason Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful place to live. Oh yeah - families especially love the schools in Clayton. In fact, some of the best schools in Greater Research Triangle are found in Clayton. Clayton is serviced by [school system name], frequently cited for several outstanding programs. Clayton schools are considered safe places for students. But there are not only excellent public schools in Clayton, but outstanding private schools, as well.

EDUCATION IN CLAYTON

PUBLIC EDUCATION

To better help you select the best schools in Clayton, North Carolina, read what the Johnston County Schools system says on its website:

"Our district serves over 32,000 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. Doubling the student population in the past 15 years, Johnston County’s growth is due to the excellent education JCS provides to our students. We enjoy strong community support through funding for new schools, partnerships with business and faith based organizations, and fabulous parental involvement. What are the results of this support? Student achievement ranks among the top 20% of all North Carolina districts. We are proud of our 256 Nationally Board Certified teachers, placing JCS within the top 50 school districts in the nation."

PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH A CLAYTON ADDRESS

Elementary Schools in Clayton:

Cooper Elementary

Powhatan Elementary

West Clayton Elementary

Middle Schools in Clayton:

Clayton Middle School

High Schools in Clayton:

Clayton High School

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina charter schools are independent public schools that exist to offer Clayton students, parents and educators choices in teaching, learning methods and environments. An emphasis is placed on innovation and accountability with improved student achievement the common goal.

There are now nearly 5,000 public charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia, educating more than 1.6 million public charter school students. North Carolina public charter schools are intended to improve North Carolina's traditional public school system.

Any Clayton charter school, while independently operated, must meet four requirements, like any other North Carolina public school:

*Tuition-free and open to every student who wishes to enroll;
*Non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis;
*Publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars like other public schools; *Held accountable to state and federal academic standards.

LIST OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN CLAYTON:

There are no charter schools with a Clayton address.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH A CLAYTON ADDRESS

Private schools, also known as independent schools or non-state schools, are not administered by Clayton, North Carolina, or the Federal government; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition, rather than relying on public funding. Clayton students can get a scholarship into a private school, which makes the cost cheaper, depending on a talent the student may have, such as a sport scholarship, art scholarship, academic scholarship.

List of Private Schools in Clayton:

Academy of Hope, grades 7-11

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES IN AND NEAR CLAYTON

Higher education in the Greater Research Triangle region is another great reason to live in Clayton, North Carolina. The local colleges and universities contribute more

than just classrooms, by also bringing the best in sports and cultural offerings to the Research Triangle communities at large. If your life calls for upper level learning, choose from the following list of universities, colleges and community colleges:

Duke University

Durham Technical Community College

Johnston Community College

Louisburg College

Meredith College

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina State University

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

St. Augustine’s College

Shaw University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Vance-Granville Community College

Wake Technical Community College

William Peace College

So, whether you are researching the Greater Research Triangle region and getting a feel for living here, or if you are learning about your education options, or if you have definitely decided to purchase a home in Clayton, even if only from across town- congratulations, and...

Welcome HERE to Clayton, Noeth Carolina