Clayton is a borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8,807, an increase of 628 (+7.7%) from the 2010 census count of 8,179, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,040 (+14.6%) from the 7,139 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
Jacob Fisler purchased much of the area that is now Clayton, acquiring of land after the American Revolutionary War. A settlement named Fislertown developed and grew to 36 families by 1812.History of Clayton, Clayton Historical Society. Accessed November 7, 2019. "After the Revolutionary War, Jacob and his son Leonard jointly bought 3,755 acres, expanding Fisler territory from the land near the Clayton cemetery westward to Aura. Leonard built a home on this land by Still Run Creek, which is now called Silver Lake.... As their territory expanded in size, it also grew in population. More and more families moved to the area, and by 1812, thirty-six families had settled in Fisler Town." A glass factory was established in Clayton in the 1850s by one of Fisler's descendants, which contributed to Fislertown's growth.Borough History, Borough of Clayton. Accessed November 7, 2019. "Jacob Fisler purchased a tract of land containing 2,800 acres in the area of Clayton’s Cedar Green Cemetery. He and his son Leonard jointly purchased 3,755 acres extending from the cemetery to Aura. In 1850, the locality gradually took on the name of Fislertown, and consisted of five dwellings. Jacob Fisler and Benjamin Beckett opened a glass factory at this time, which was a catalyst for a significant increase in the population."
What is now Clayton was formed as Clayton Township on February 5, 1858, from portions of Franklin Township. Portions of the township were later taken on March 11, 1878, to form Glassboro Township. Clayton was formed as a borough by the New Jersey Legislature on May 9, 1887, from portions of Clayton Township. The remainder of Clayton Township was absorbed by the Clayton on April 14, 1908, and the township was dissolved.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026. Clayton is part of the South Jersey region of the state.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 7.26 square miles (18.80 km2), including 7.08 square miles (18.32 km2) of land and 0.18 square miles (0.48 km2) of water (2.53%). Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Silver Lake.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015. Clayton borders Elk Township, Franklin Township, Glassboro, and Monroe Township.Municipalities within Gloucester County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 23, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Clayton had a population of 8,807. The median age was 39.9 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males age 18 and over.
95.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.6% lived in rural areas.
There were 3,229 households in Clayton, of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.0% were married-couple households, 16.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,433 housing units, of which 5.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 5,635 64.0% Black or African American 1,735 19.7% American Indian and Alaska Native 34 0.4% Asian 180 2.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 319 3.6% Two or more races 903 10.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 833 9.5%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 8,179 people, 2,916 households, and 2,105 families in the borough. The population density was 1,145.5 per square mile (442.3/km2). There were 3,128 housing units at an average density of 438.1 per square mile (169.2/km2). The racial makeup was 74.83% (6,120) White, 18.01% (1,473) Black or African American, 0.37% (30) Native American, 1.80% (147) Asian, 0.02% (2) Pacific Islander, 1.59% (130) from other races, and 3.39% (277) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.95% (487) of the population.
Of the 2,916 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18; 51.4% were married couples living together; 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.8% were non-families. Of all households, 22.1% were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.
26.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.1 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,299 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,649) and the median family income was $70,989 (+/− $5,101). Males had a median income of $52,048 (+/− $6,973) versus $39,524 (+/− $6,308) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,437 (+/− $2,649). About 9.6% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Clayton borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 6, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census there were 7,139 people, 2,464 households, and 1,884 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,680 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 79.23% White, 16.05% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Clayton borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 6, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Clayton borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 6, 2012.
There were 2,464 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $53,219, and the median income for a family was $63,097. Males had a median income of $37,231 versus $29,063 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,006. About 3.1% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation Parkland covers about a third of the borough and includes both municipal and state parks.Clayton Parks, Borough of Clayton. Accessed November 7, 2019. "The Borough of Clayton is fortunate to have approximately one-third of its land dedicated to parks and recreation."Watershed Based Municipal Stormwater Management Plan for Clayton Borough, Clayton Borough, February 2006. Accessed March 24, 2020. "With its small land area, its location between Philadelphia and the New Jersey Shore, and its major highway access (in particular, Routes 47 and 55), it is likely that Clayton Borough will someday experience significant development pressures. However, more than one-third of the small Borough is comprised of wildlife management areas, lakes and parks." The Glassboro Wildlife Management Area covers almost in portions of Clayton, Glassboro, and Monroe Township.Glassboro Wildlife Management Area, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Accessed November 7, 2019.Wildlife Management Areas, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Accessed November 7, 2019.
Government Local government Clayton is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of New Jersey's 564 municipalities, making it the state's most common form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 19. The borough form of government used by Clayton is a weak mayor/strong council government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Government , Borough of Clayton. Accessed July 5, 2016.
In March 2019, the borough council selected Christina Moorhouse from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat vacated by Vonzora Jackson's resignation.Staff. "New Council & School Board Members Installed; With Resignations Come New Appointments", Clayton Free Press, March 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019. "On Clayton Borough Council, with the resignation of Vonzora (Vonnie) Jackson, Christina Moorhouse was selected from a list of three people recommended to Council by the Clayton Democratic Party."