"A great place to live and play to work and pray!"
Location of Clayton in
Gloucester County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Gloucester County in
New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Jacob Fisler purchased much of the area that is now Clayton, acquiring 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) of land after the
American Revolutionary War. A settlement named Fislertown developed and grew to 36 families by 1812.[23] A glass factory was established in Clayton in the 1850s by one of Fisler's descendants, which contributed to Fislertown's growth.[24]
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.[25] Clayton is part of the
South Jersey region of the state.
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.[20]
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.[20]
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.[39]
2000 census
As of the
2000 U.S. census[17] there were 7,139 people, 2,464 households, and 1,884 families residing in the borough. The population density was 994.2 inhabitants per square mile (383.9/km2). There were 2,680 housing units at an average density of 373.2 per square mile (144.1/km2). 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.[37][38]
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.[37][38]
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.[37][38]
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.[37][38]
Parks and recreation
Parkland covers about a third of the borough and includes both municipal and state parks.[40][41] The Glassboro Wildlife Management Area covers almost 2,400 acres (970 ha) in portions of Clayton,
Glassboro, and
Monroe Township.[42][43]
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.[44] 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.[7] 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.[45][46][47]
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.[48]
As of 2024[update], the mayor is
Democrat Thomas Bianco, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Tony Saban (D, 2025), Dave Chapes (D, 2024), Christina Moorhouse (D, 2025), Frank Rollo (D, 2024), Charles Simon (D, 2026), and Darlene Vondran (D, 2026).[3][49][50][51][52][53]
Clayton describes itself in its motto as "a great place to live and play, work and pray." The seal, which has been used since the late 1960s, features an image of a factory, a house, a figure fishing off a boat, and with a church with a cross, which was challenged by the
Freedom From Religion Foundation in March 2016 as "unmistakably religious" and unconstitutional.[54][55]
Gloucester County is governed by a
board of county commissioners, whose seven members are elected
at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis in partisan elections, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2024[update], Gloucester County's Commissioners are:
Gloucester County's constitutional officers are:
Clerk James N. Hogan (D, Franklin Township; 2027),[73][74]
Sheriff Jonathan M. Sammons (R,
Elk Township; 2024)[75][76] and
Surrogate Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D,
Woolwich Township; 2028).[77][78][79]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,874 registered voters in Clayton. Of these, 1,755 (36.0%) were registered as
Democrats, 819 (16.8%) were registered as
Republicans, and 2,296 (47.1%) were registered as
Unaffiliated. There were four voters registered as
Libertarians or
Greens.[80]
In the
2012 presidential election, Democrat
Barack Obama received 64.2% of the vote (2,247 cast), ahead of Republican
Mitt Romney with 34.5% (1,206 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (45 votes), among the 3,521 ballots cast by the borough's 5,164 registered voters (23 ballots were
spoiled), for a turnout of 68.2%.[81][82] In the
2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 62.1% of the vote (2,270 cast), ahead of Republican
John McCain with 35.8% (1,309 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (49 votes), among the 3,653 ballots cast by the borough's 5,090 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.8%.[83] In the
2004 presidential election, Democrat
John Kerry received 54.5% of the vote (1,745 ballots cast), outpolling Republican
George W. Bush with 44.6% (1,427 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (16 votes), among the 3,201 ballots cast by the borough's 4,410 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.6.[84]
In the
2013 gubernatorial election, Republican
Chris Christie received 56.7% of the vote (1,133 cast), ahead of Democrat
Barbara Buono with 41.9% (837 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (30 votes), among the 2,039 ballots cast by the borough's 5,133 registered voters (39 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.7%.[85][86] In the
2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat
Jon Corzine received 48.2% of the vote (1,055 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 39.8% (871 votes), Independent
Chris Daggett with 9.1% (200 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (17 votes) among the 2,191 ballots cast by the borough's 4,947 registered voters, yielding a 44.3% turnout.[87]
In September 2009, voters approved a referendum that covered a $20 million renovation and expansion project at the middle school / high school.[98] In September 2014, voters approved a referendum that covered $9.7 million to upgrade all three schools in the district. The approved projects include a roof replacement at both the high school and middle school, an addition of a 750-seat auditorium, technology infrastructure at all three schools, a new football field stadium lighting and a new gym floor at Herma Simmons Elementary School.[99]
Students in Gloucester County are eligible to apply to attend
Gloucester County Institute of Technology, a four-year high school in
Deptford Township that provides technical and vocational education programs. As a public school, students and their families do not pay tuition to attend the school.[100]
Formed from a merger of two regional schools, St. Michael the Archangel Regional School is a
K–8 school that operates under the supervision of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.[101][102] The former St. Catherine of Siena Regional School in Clayton merged with St. Michael in 2008.[103]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 44.16 miles (71.07 km) of roadways. Of this, 33.00 miles (53.11 km) is maintained by the municipality, 8.36 miles (13.45 km) by Gloucester County and 2.80 miles (4.51 km) by the
New Jersey Department of Transportation.[104]
The main thoroughfare that passes through is
Route 47.[105]Route 55 traverses the borough's southwestern edge, but the closest interchanges are in neighboring communities.[106] A sliver of
County Road 553 clips the borough's western edge.[107]
^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."
^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."
^Barnett, Bob.
Population Data for Gloucester County Municipalities, 1810 - 2010, WestJersey.org. January 6, 2011. Accessed November 6, 2012. As both Clayton Township and Clayton Borough co-existed, the population statistics for 1890 (1,807 for borough; 492 for township) and 1900 (1,951 for borough; 38 for township) reflect the combined totals for both municipalities.
^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."
^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."
^Polhamus, Andy.
"Is this N.J. town's seal too religious? An atheist group thinks so",
NJ.com, April 4, 2016. Accessed April 4, 2016. "A national atheist group is asking the borough to change both its town motto and official seal, saying that both are 'unmistakably religious' and unconstitutional. Clayton's motto describes the town as 'a great place to live and play, work and pray.' The seal, meanwhile features an image of a church emblazoned with a cross as well as a factory, a house and a figure fishing from a boat."
^Editorial Board.
"N.J. town's 'cross' seal does not offend - Editorial", South Jersey Times, April 4, 2016. Accessed April 5, 2016. "The church building, with a cross within, is one of five stylized elements in the seal. Others include an industrial building and a person fishing from a boat."
^Biography of Bob Menendez,
United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Clayton Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Clayton Public Schools. Accessed February 16, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Clayton School District. Composition The Clayton School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Clayton."
^Driscoll, Jessica.
"Clayton, Pitman prepare for OK'd school upgrade referendum work", Gloucester County Times, November 30, 2009. Accessed July 19, 2011. "Voters approved bond referendums for two local school districts in September and now district officials are working with architects to prepare bid specifications and prepare for construction. In Clayton, work will likely begin this spring on a $20 million renovation and expansion project at the high school/ middle school."
^Admissions,
Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 7, 2019. "There is no charge to attend. GCIT is a public school.... GCIT is the vocational-technical school for Gloucester County residents. You must live in Gloucester County to apply and attend."
^Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 19, 2023.
^History, St. Michael the Archangel Regional School. Accessed February 19, 2023. "St. Michael the Archangel Regional School first opened its doors in September, 2008 as the result of a merger of St. Bridget Regional School, Glassboro, NJ and St. Catherine of Siena School, Clayton, NJ. The creation of the school was the result of declining enrollment and financial concerns in the schools located within the Diocese of Camden."
^Giordano, Rita.
"After much work, newly merged school opens in Clayton", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6, 2008. Accessed February 19, 2023. St. Bridget's was one of 15 schools in the Diocese of Camden slated for merger by the fall. It would join with St. Catherine of Siena in Clayton, the school St. Bridget's junior varsity girls beat in the basketball championship last year. The plan was for the schools to become one in St. Catherine's building with a new name, a new community."
^Daniel J. Dalton, Kennedy Health. Accessed September 15, 2016. "Mr. Dalton and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Clayton, NJ."
^Voorhees, Benoit.
"Sunny Gale: Come Go With Me, Part 1", Retro Scoop, 2010. Accessed October 22, 2016. "Sunny Gale was born as Selma Segal on February 20th 1927 in Clayton, New Jersey, on the east coast of the United States. This small town in Gloucester county is situated halfway Atlantic City and Philadelphia."
^Dotson, Frank.
"What's wrong with college basketball?", Lakeland Ledger, December 26, 1981. Accessed July 24, 2012. "Granger Hall, a sophomore from Clayton, got off the bus on the New Jersey side of Ben Franklin Bridge, which links Camden, N.J., and Philadelphia across the Delaware River."
^"Rodriguez Named First Team All-State",
Ferrum Panthers, April 28, 2015. Accessed August 19, 2020. "The Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) announced the 2015 VaSID Wrestling All-State Team and Ferrum College's Nick Rodriguez has been included on the first team in the 197-pound weight class.... A freshman from Clayton, New Jersey, Rodriguez finished with a 23-4 overall record, including nine pins."