Clayton, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clayton, New Jersey
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Borough
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Clayton High School in September 2012
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| Motto(s):
"A great place to live and play to work and pray!"
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Location of Clayton in Gloucester County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Gloucester County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
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Census Bureau map of Clayton, New Jersey
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 Clayton, New Jersey
Location in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Clayton, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Clayton, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County |  Gloucester |
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| Incorporated | February 5, 1858 (as township) | |
| Reincorporated | May 9, 1887 (as borough) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Borough (New Jersey) | |
| • Body | Borough Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.26 sq mi (18.80 km2) | |
| • Land | 7.08 sq mi (18.32 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.48 km2) 2.53% | |
| Area rank | 239th of 565 in state 15th of 24 in county |
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| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,807 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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8,948 | |
| • Rank | 270th of 565 in state 12th of 24 in county |
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| • Density | 1,244.8/sq mi (480.6/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 356th of 565 in state 13th of 24 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08312
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| Area code(s) | 856 exchanges: 307, 442, 863, 881 | |
| FIPS code | 3401513360 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885185 | |
Clayton is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Gloucester County, New Jersey. It's a part of the South Jersey region of the state. In 2020, about 8,807 people lived here. The town has been growing, with more people moving in over the past few years.
Contents
History of Clayton
The story of Clayton began when Jacob Fisler bought a large area of land, about 6,500 acres, after the American Revolutionary War. A small community started there, called Fislertown. By 1812, about 36 families lived in this growing settlement.
In the 1850s, a glass factory was built in Fislertown by one of Fisler's family members. This factory helped the town grow even more.
Clayton officially became a township on February 5, 1858. Later, on May 9, 1887, it changed its status to a borough. The rest of the original township joined the borough on April 14, 1908.
Where is Clayton?
Clayton is located in Gloucester County. It covers an area of about 7.26 square miles (18.80 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Clayton shares its borders with several other towns. These include Elk Township, Franklin Township, Glassboro, and Monroe Township. One small community within Clayton is called Silver Lake.
People in Clayton
In 2020, the population of Clayton was 8,807 people. The town is home to a mix of different cultures and backgrounds.
Back in 2010, there were 8,179 people living in Clayton. About three-quarters of the people were White, and about 18% were Black or African American. There were also smaller groups of Asian, Native American, and people from other backgrounds. About 6% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Clayton in 2010 was around 36 years old. About 26% of the people were under 18, and about 10% were 65 or older.
Fun and Outdoors
Clayton has many parks and open spaces, covering about a third of the town. These include both local parks and state parks.
A large natural area called the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area is partly in Clayton. It covers almost 2,400 acres and is a great place to explore nature.
Schools in Clayton
The Clayton Public Schools system serves students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. In the 2020–21 school year, about 1,463 students attended the three schools in the district.
The schools are:
- Herma S. Simmons Elementary School (PreK-5)
- Clayton Middle School (grades 6-8)
- Clayton High School (grades 9-12)
In 2009, voters approved a big project to renovate and expand the middle and high schools. Later, in 2014, another project was approved to upgrade all three schools. These upgrades included new roofs, a new auditorium at the high school, better technology, and improvements to the sports facilities.
Students in Gloucester County can also apply to attend the Gloucester County Institute of Technology. This high school in Deptford Township offers special programs in technical and vocational subjects. It's a public school, so families don't have to pay tuition.
For students who attend Catholic schools, St. Michael the Archangel Regional School is a K-8 school that serves the area.
Getting Around Clayton
_just_north_of_Gloucester_County_Route_610_(Academy_Street)_in_Clayton,_Gloucester_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Clayton has a good network of roads. The main road that goes through the town is Route 47. Another important road, Route 55, runs along the edge of the borough.
For public transportation, NJ Transit offers bus service. You can take buses like the 313 and 408 routes to travel between Clayton and Philadelphia.
Famous People from Clayton
Many interesting people have connections to Clayton, New Jersey. Here are a few:
- Daniel Dalton (born 1949) – A politician who served in important roles in New Jersey.
- T. James Ferrell (1939–2020) – A talented engraver and medalist, known for his work with The Franklin Mint.
- Sunny Gale (1927–2022) – A pop singer who had a big hit song called "Wheel of Fortune" in 1952.
- Granger Hall (born 1962) – A former professional basketball player.
- Earl C. Long (1883–1983) – A U.S. Marine Corps Major General during World War II.
- Nick Rodriguez (born 1996) – A well-known submission grappler.
- Mel Sheppard (1883–1942) – An Olympic middle-distance runner who won four gold medals in 1908 and 1912.
See also
In Spanish: Clayton (Nueva Jersey) para niños
