Liz Jernigan

Just 20 minutes from the North Carolina state capital, Raleigh, Clayton is the fastest growing town in Johnston County, an international biopharmaceutical hub and a community repeatedly recognized as one of the best, safest and most affordable places in the state and country to live and raise a family. Founded in 1869, Clayton is no longer a sleepy village along the railroad. Our dynamic business community, bustling downtown, numerous medical facilities and high-achieving schools are keeping families here and enticing new people every day. Since 2000, we’ve doubled in population – now more than 20,000 residents call Clayton home. Our largest manufacturing employer is the pharmaceutical giant Grifols, with more than 1,600 employees and a multi-million dollar expansion on the way. Last year, Novo Nordisk, a Danish insulin maker, announced a $1.85 billion expansion – that's the largest private investment in the history of North Carolina. Clayton boasts greenways, parks, a popular art sculpture trail and active arts scene. Just over a decade ago, in a showing of partnership and commitment to the community, they took abandoned school buildings and immaculately restored them into the Town Hall and the performing arts and conference center, The Clayton Center. The Law Enforcement Center, opened in 2011, is state-of-the-art and has won awards for architecture and design. All of these public buildings sit in the heart of Downtown Clayton, where free concert series, popular parades and an annual Harvest Festival attract crowds in the thousands. The community is conveniently located within a few hours of the coast and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The Town of Clayton is a thriving and growing community that has all the conveniences of the larger surrounding cities and still maintains a small-town atmosphere.