Clayton at a glance
- Population: about 30,216, 39th by size in North Carolina of 549 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 26,317 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 14.8% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 39th of 549 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 93% of places in North Carolina rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 35.6581, -78.4460.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Garner, NC (10 mi); Raleigh, NC (16 mi); Fuquay-Varina, NC (19 mi); Wake Forest, NC (21 mi); Holly Springs, NC (22 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Archer Lodge, NC (5 mi); Wilson's Mills, NC (7 mi); Knightdale, NC (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Clayton
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in Clayton
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in North Carolina, and therefore in Clayton.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Finance Act installment loan rates (G.S. 53-176) | 33% per annum on unpaid balance up to $4,000; 24% on $4,000-$8,000; 18% on the remainder (loans up to $12,000); 18% for loans above $12,000 Source says: "thirty-three percent (33%) per annum on that part of the unpaid principal balance not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000)" | North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | For loans of $25,000 or less: greater of the 6-month U.S. Treasury bill rate + 6% or 16% (G.S. 24-1.1(c)); any agreed rate above $25,000 Source says: "plus six percent (6%), rounded upward or downward ... or sixteen percent (16%), whichever is greater" | North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Payday lenders shut down in North Carolina; online payday lending remains an enforcement target Source says: "Payday Lenders: Shut Down In NC, But Still Victimizing Borrowers Online" | North Carolina Department of Justice (Office of the Attorney General) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Finance Act license from the Commissioner of Banks required for loans of $25,000 or less charging more than Chapter 24 rates Source says: "Direct lenders seeking to charge rates higher than allowed under Chapter 24 on consumer term loans of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less" | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) Source says: "Lenders operating under the CFA must be licensed by and are subject to regulation by the NCCOB." | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Clayton
Before you commit to a personal loan in Clayton, work through these steps:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in North Carolina using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.