Lawson Glen

Clayton, North Carolina is a satellite city of the state capital, Raleigh, and offers residents a large community that values the area’s natural beauty and the arts. With plenty of festivals, markets, parks, performing arts, and community events to participate in, there is something for everyone in Clayton. Located along the Neuse River and outside of one of the largest cities in the South, you can find a blend of natural beauty and urban convenience within the city and take advantage of the numerous entertainment options available. With a new build home from D.R. Horton, you can find your place and settle in with spacious floorplans and smart home technology. Our new construction homes in Clayton, North Carolina can help you call the city home.

Why live in Clayton, NC?

The bustling city of Clayton, NC in Johnston County offers residents a balance between the active nature of a satellite city and a peaceful, tight-knit community. Just 25 minutes from the capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina, you can enjoy the amenities of the large city without sacrificing the tranquility of a suburban town. Clayton is an excellent fit for any chapter of your life, whether you are a professional seeking out opportunity in the Research Triangle located nearby, a young family looking for a town to grow in, or a retiree who wants to spend their time in a relaxing environment. The town is true to its motto as “The Premier Community for Active Families,” offering its residents plenty to do year-round, both in the community and outdoors.

The town of Clayton is also excellent for those seeking to commute to the neighboring communities or into larger cities. The town is located near the “Research Triangle,” a region made up of three cities known for their major research universities and businesses. Aside from Raleigh, the city is just under 50 minutes from Durham and Chapel Hill, offering easy access to the opportunities available in all three areas. The city is situated upon major highways like US Highway 70 and North Carolina Highway 42 that lead to Interstates 40 and 95. For extensive travel needs, you can travel just under 25 miles to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Community life in Clayton, NC

Clayton, NC, is known for its appreciation of the arts and events to connect with fellow residents. Walking around the town's downtown area, you will see colorful murals and art pieces that you can enjoy. The Clayton Center is a facility for artistic expression in town, which hosts a majority of the town's performance art installations. Built from a renovated historic music and entertainment building, this unique venue offers an antique atmosphere to the variety of events hosted throughout the year. The center hosts live performances, some of them open to the public for free, from a wide range of entertainers, including singers, bands, plays, and karaoke.

You and your family can also head to the town square to enjoy the Downtown Clayton Concert Series. Once a month from May to September, you can connect with fellow music lovers through this free, family-friendly event. The concerts feature a variety of live music acts that you can watch under the stars with your own lawn chairs and blankets. While enjoying the performances from regional artists, you can munch on food from local food trucks and sip on a variety of adult beverages provided by vendors. There is fun for all ages, as there are activities available for kids. Through this event, you can connect with the community while discovering local talent.

Clayton Visual Arts promotes and sponsors art programming within Clayton by providing programming and exhibitions. Monthly exhibitions at The Clayton Center allow the community to be inspired by community artists. If you would like to pick up a brush, there are paint groups that meet and paint outdoors all around town. To see Clayton from a different point of view, you can view the annual Capturing Clayton Competition, where local artists compete to display the town of Clayton through artistic mediums like artwork and photography.

To continue the fun, you can attend the various festivals hosted throughout the year. The annual Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival is hosted on Main Street and celebrates the country through various fun-filled patriotic events. Thrown on July 4th, you can see a bike parade where kids of all ages from the area decorate their bicycles and ride down to Town Square to kick off the festivities. This is then followed by a fire truck spray down, so be sure to bring your bathing suits. Located throughout the festival are free snow cones and watermelon slices to go with the food trucks that serve food. Games, activities, and shows are available for all ages. This is then capped off by a spectacular fireworks show at the end of the night.

When the leaves begin to fall, you can attend the annual multi-day Clayton Harvest Festival. As one of the largest events in Johnston County, the festival offers fun for all ages. Hosted in October and free to attend, the event features fair rides in the carnival area, food and beverages, games, a car and motorcycle show, and a Latin Festival hosted one day during the event. At the Latin Festival, you can appreciate Latin culture while enjoying food and drinks, along with cultural festivities. Throughout the Harvest Festival, there are events for the younger attendees like a trunk or treat activity, pony rides, kids games, and various activities. Other special attractions include a hot dog eating contest, a pig calling competition, and a local talent showcase where you can enjoy live performances from local artists.

Outdoor fun in Clayton, NC

North Carolina’s stunning wilderness offers a tranquil retreat from the busy environment of town, and you can access a range of scenic views and outdoor recreation both in and around Clayton, NC. Sam’s Branch Greenway offers a 1.25-mile, 10-foot-wide paved walking and biking trail to view the beautiful Neuse River. There are art installations from local artists and the area’s school children along the trail, providing additional interest among the scenery. This trail connects with the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse River and is a 4-mile section of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The Clemmons Educational State Forest is an 800-acre forest that offers visitors a new look at the trees that cover the area and programs to learn about the ecology of this managed forest. Park rangers teach classes to help visitors get a deeper look at the wildlife, and self-guided trails are available for public use. There are picnic sites with grills and tables to enjoy a more low-key day in the woods if you’d rather sit and relax in nature.

For a more active approach to the outdoors, you and your family can go to the Clayton Community Park. This fun-filled park is open to the public and has plenty to enjoy. Leading up to the park is a half-mile paved trail that you can traverse on foot or by bike, leading to a playground. Sports lovers can have a ball as there are three baseball fields located on the grounds along with eight pickleball courts, four tennis courts, six bocce ball courts, and six shuffleboard courts. Another park available to residents is the Donald “Clyde” Sinclair Park, which offers a playground, a basketball court, and charcoal grills.

Clayton, NC is a great place for those who like to get out on the golf course. The Pine Hollow Golf Club is a beautiful course that stretches over 6,500 acres. This semi-private, 18-hole course offers visitors a golfing experience that stretches through the beautiful Clayton area. The par-71 course is just part of the experience, as the golf club also includes a pro shop, practice facilities, and a clubhouse. Another course in the area is The Neuse Golf Club, an 18-hole, semi-private course that is available for public use. The course was designed by John LaFoy and offers a playing experience for both experienced golfers and beginners.

Businesses and economics in Clayton, NC

Clayton, NC, is known for its growing job market and is home to a variety of industries, including manufacturing and healthcare. With the town’s proximity to the Research Triangle, there are many opportunities in the surrounding areas as well. Novo Nordisk and Grifols Therapeutics have large manufacturing plants in Clayton. Those seeking professional opportunities in education and administration can work for Johnston County Schools, and healthcare professionals can find employment options at Johnston Health UNC Health Care. Other major employers in the area are Caterpillar and the Asplundh Tree Expert Company. Many residents also choose to commute about 25 minutes to Raleigh, as it is home to many major industries. Large companies like Red Hat Software, Advance Auto Parts, PRA Health Sciences, and Waste Industries use the city as their headquarters.

The “Research Triangle” in North Carolina is made up of the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, which are home to some of the top research universities in the area. Many in Clayton find employment at these establishments, and commuting from your new home in Clayton, NC to each is easy. Durham is home to Duke University, Chapel Hill houses the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Raleigh hosts North Carolina State University, all of which offer opportunities in research and higher education.

New construction homes in Clayton, NC

Clayton, North Carolina offers residents a well-balanced blend of suburban tranquility and urban opportunity. Whether you are looking to explore the outdoors, appreciate the arts, or connect with those around you, you can find an activity that accomplishes each in Clayton. With a new construction home from D.R. Horton, you and your family can settle into the community and find your home in Clayton, NC. Browse our Clayton, NC homes for sale, and contact us to learn more about becoming a homeowner in Clayton, NC.