Is Clayton, NC, a Safe Place to Live? (Crime Statistics)

Is Clayton, NC, a safe place to live? Below, we have included some information on Clayton crime statistics, the safest neighborhoods in Clayton, and other tips on how to stay safe in Clayton. 

Clayton, one of the best places to live in North Carolina, is considered the #1 place to live in Johnston County. It provides residents with a small suburban feel while being located close to Raleigh, offering easy access to the hustle and bustle of city life in the state's capital.

With a desirable quality of life and increasing employment opportunities, more and more people are deciding to move to North Carolina, making Clayton a good place to call home for all ages. If you're looking for homes for sale in Raleigh, you'll find there are many great houses in Clayton with large lots and slightly lower prices.

Additionally, Clayton is one of the safest communities to raise a family in the state, making it a great option for those with children. If you're thinking about moving to Clayton, then you're in the right place. Keep reading to learn about the crime statistics and how to stay safe in Clayton. 

Keep reading to learn more about how safe Clayton, NC, is.

1. City of Clayton Crime Statistics

Much like Fuquay-Varina is a safe place to live, Clayton has lower-than-average violent and property crime rates than the national averages. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Clayton is 1 in 73. Based on FBI crime data, Clayton is not considered one of the safest areas in the United States. 

Relative to North Carolina, Clayton has a crime rate that is higher than 50% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes. Clayton is in the 43rd percentile for safety, meaning 57% of cities are safer, and 43% are more dangerous. 

People who live in Clayton generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim in the northwest neighborhoods is as high as 1 in 8, while in the northeast neighborhoods, it is as low as 1 in 74. 

Below are some charts explaining the number of each crime in Clayton. 

	Violent	Property	Total
Number of Crimes	34	371	405
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)	1.15	12.60	13.75

Clayton's crime rates are lower compared to other cities of the same size. Considering only the crime rate, Clayton is safer than the North Carolina average as well as safer than the national average. Determining a city's safety can be hard and varies. However, overall, you will feel safer in Clayton than in other cities like it. 

Crime happens where people are, whether they live there or not, so some areas, based on numbers, may seem unsafe. However, you must consider what's nearby and how many people visit this place because that adds to the numbers. Below is a crime breakdown chart of each crime in Clayton. 

Violent Crimes 

Crime Type	Crime Rate
Assault	1.336
Robbery	0.574
Rape	0.2370
Murder	0.0464
Total Violent Crime	2.195 (A-)

Property Crimes

Crime Type	Crime Rate
Theft	23.09
Vehicle Theft	0.9706
Burglary	4.175
Arson	0.0738
Total Proeprty Crime	28.31 (D+)

Other Crimes

Crime Type	Crime Rate
Kidnapping	0.0426
Drug Crimes	1.121
Vandalism	3.084
Identity Theft	0.7640
Animal Cruelty	0.0119
Total "Other" Rate	5.023 (B+)

2. Safe Neighborhoods in Clayton

Finding a safe place to live is crucial. Although the town of Clayton is generally considered safe, each neighborhood has unique features that cater to its residents' needs. Therefore, finding the perfect community to locate your dream home is essential. Below are some of the best and safest neighborhoods in Clayton.

Flowers Plantation

Flowers Plantation is a vast residential development located in the Triangle region. It offers a wide range of homes, from affordable ones for first-time homebuyers to custom-built executive homes and everything in between. The community is well-maintained and has several neighborhoods with homes available for sale, starting from $200,000 to $800,000.

In addition to the homes, there is a retail center called Flowers Crossroads, which has a Harris Teeter supermarket and CVS drug store, specialty stores, and restaurants. Residents of Flowers Plantation have access to walking trails, two swimming pools, and an advanced fitness center. Some of the neighborhoods are in the gated section of the development, while others are not, resulting in lower HOA dues.

Glen Laurel

Glen Laurel is a prestigious neighborhood in Clayton known for its higher-end custom-built homes. The neighborhood surrounds the beautiful Neuse Golf Course and offers a range of properties. Older homes on the golf course have mature landscaping, and many have been updated, while newer phases feature new homes built by local custom and regional semi-custom builders.

Homes in Glen Laurel typically start in the mid to upper $200,000 range, and many styles are available. You can also find several basement homes in the neighborhood. Glen Laurel is situated just five minutes from Downtown Clayton and is within the city limits, with all necessary services provided by Clayton.

Portofino

The Portofino community in Clayton is the premier equestrian community in the Triangle. It boasts a world-class horse barn, show rings, and cross-country fences, making it an ideal neighborhood for horse enthusiasts. However, there are many non-equestrian reasons why people choose to live in Portofino.

Built on hundreds of wooded acres along the Neuse River, the development has preserved many natural elements while providing bike and walking trails, canoe access on the river, fishing ponds, and more. The community's magnificent clubhouse and pool are reserved exclusively for Portofino residents and are often used for community cookouts, birthday parties, and even weddings.

Portofino is soon to become a completely gated community and is home to several new neighborhoods that offer some of the finest homes in the Triangle. Homes in this community start in the high $300,000s, with many homes boasting large private lots.

3. How to Stay Safe in Clayton

Understanding how to stay safe in your community is crucial, regardless of where you live. As a popular and prominent city, this area has a high police presence to assist in emergency situations.

You can take simple steps to ensure your safety, no matter where you are. Remember that crime prevention is an essential tool to lower your risk of becoming a victim of violent or property crimes.

The following are some tips from the NCDPS on how to protect yourself. 

• Stay Alert: Always be conscious of what or who is around you. 
• Be Confident: Do not let out vulnerability and avoid being alone and feeling lost. 
• Look People Directly in their eyes: This is a simple self-defense move to help yourself in public
• Know the Neighborhood: Be cautious of strangers as always, use well-traveled routes, and do not take shortcuts. 
• Do not Walk Alone: Walk with people around you even if you feel like you are in a well-traveled area
• Be Prepared: Wear comfortable clothing when you are walking and always have a plan for if something does happen

If you are attacked:

• Do not Panic: Take control of yourself and the situation
• Do not Resist: Give up any property that is not worth your life
• Distract: Try to distract or confusion them, such as by screaming or running
• If there is a weapon... remain calm, be cooperative and negotiate

4. Priotze Home Safety

Home safety is one of the most popular ways to make sure you feel safe in your home. Many neighborhoods throughout Clayton have their safety protocol; if not, here is what DPS Services has to say to keep in mind to keep yourself and your family safe while at home. 

• Answer doors and phones so a potential burglar will know your home is occupied
• Never tell a caller you are alone
• Ensure your home's security with a home security system while you're away.
• Always look through the peephole, window, or doorbell camera to see who is outside before opening the door
• Verify a repairment with their dispatchers before letting them inside
• If someone you do not know asks to make an emergency call on your phone, do not let them in; make the call for them. 
• If you think forced entry has been made, do not go inside; go somewhere safe and get help. 
• Be cautious of public areas and lots. Make sure it is a well-lit area and use these areas with accompanies
• Never give out information about yourself or where you live to a stranger
• If you ever need help in your neighborhood, yell "Fire" instead of "Help," as it is more likely to get the attention of bystanders.

5. Utilize Resources Available in Clayton

To create a safe community, the town of Clayton needs to work together with the police as well as other members of the community to be educated and take action to reduce crime and harm. The Clayton Police Department is dedicated to keeping their community safe. 

Clayton has a Community Policing Unit that provides a variety of services throughout the town for the residents, including as a liaison for Community Watch Programs, conducting community crime prevention presentations, tours of the Clayton Law Enforcement Center, and other ways to keep the city safe. 

Many resources are available to help ensure your safety and get the right help if you are in danger. The DPS website has many safety tips to help you as well, whether personal safety, theft, fraud, or abuse. Here are some resources to help you be safer and positively contribute to the safety of others in the community. 

• North Carolina Victim Advocate Network
• North Carolina Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification
• North Carolina Missing Persons
• North Carolina Crime Statistics
• VictimLaw.Info
• United States Bureau of Justice
• North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Harbor

And many others. There are many resources available for you in your town. Knowing you are safe and looked after is important. Use the resources and help available for you if you need it; do not hesitate to ask. 

Methodology

We used information from different sources and our data to determine if Clayton is a safe place to live and the crime rates. There were various data to use, so we put them together to guide you on what you should know about living in Clayton and its safety. 

• Town of Clayton
• NeighborhoodScout
• Crime Grade
• Area Vibes

Above are a few sources we used to gather most of our information about Clayton and the city's safety. 

FAQS

Why are people moving to Clayton?

North Carolina is becoming an increasingly popular destination for people seeking a high quality of life and better job prospects. As a result, Clayton is becoming an attractive place for people of all ages to live. If you're considering buying a home in Raleigh, you'll find many great options in Clayton. The houses here come with large lots and are generally priced slightly lower than in nearby areas.

Is Clayton up and coming?

Clayton is buzzing with progressive new projects and a thriving arts and business community, which makes it the perfect location to start a family or expand. The population here has doubled since 2000 and is predicted to keep growing. 

What is the crime rate in Clayton?

Compared to other cities and towns in North Carolina, Clayton has a crime rate that is higher than 50% of them. This means that 50% of the cities and towns in the state have a lower crime rate than Clayton. In terms of safety, Clayton ranks in the 43rd percentile, which indicates that 57% of the cities and towns in North Carolina are safer than Clayton, while 43% of them are more dangerous.

Is Clayton, NC, a Safe Place to Live? (Crime Statistics) - The Bottom Line

Based on a survey, 66% of Clayton's residents say that there was no crime and that they feel safe walking at night, while 34% say there is a crime and they do not feel as safe. Before you decide whether or not you want to move somewhere, you must ask yourself, Is Clayton a safe place? This answer will vary depending on who you ask; however, Clayton's overall crime rate is 42% lower than the national average. 

If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.