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C

Is Clayton, North Carolina Safe?

Population 32,633 · Safer than 34% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Clayton is a smaller community of 32,633 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 216.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,180 per 100K.

Clayton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricClaytonNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate310.6317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1857.92053.51,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate176.0--268.2
Theft Rate1180.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate284.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

216.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

311/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1858/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Clayton

Violent crime in Clayton is close to the national average. The rate of 310.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1857.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,180 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Clayton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault176
066% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary318
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,180
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft284
089% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Clayton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Clayton
310.6
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Clayton
1857.9
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clayton Safety

Is Clayton safe?
Not especially. Clayton earns a C with a crime rate of 216.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Clayton?
216.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 310.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1857.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Clayton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Clayton's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,180 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Clayton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Clayton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Clayton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Clayton?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Clayton's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Clayton compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Clayton ranks behind about 71% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Clayton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Clayton?
Bad. A C grade and 216.8 per-thousand rate put Clayton below 66% of US cities. Violent crime at 311 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Clayton?
310.6 per 100,000, which is 15% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (176), robbery (42), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all North Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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