Clayton, NJ

Clayton is a quiet, friendly borough in Gloucester County, located about 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia. With around 9,000 residents, it offers an unhurried, small-town pace while keeping you within easy reach of the city. Commuters and students can hop on Route 55 or Delsea Drive to get to work in Philly or head over to Rowan University in neighboring Glassboro. For time outside, Silver Lake sits right near downtown, and the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area borders the borough with plenty of open space and wooded trails.

ATTRFamartin / CC BY-SA 4.0

Originally built around a 19th-century glass factory, Clayton has grown into a grounded residential community with deep local roots. Families are served by the Clayton Public School District from preschool through twelfth grade, with additional countywide vocational options available at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Between the neighborhood parks, local youth sports, and an easy commute to surrounding job centers, Clayton is a practical and welcoming spot to put down roots in South Jersey.