Clay County, MN

County

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2024 Population

66,059

US Senator

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic(DFL) Party

US Senator

Tina Smith

Democratic(DFL) Party

2024 Median Age

33.7

0.597% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.3%

7.75% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$81,172

4.52% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$265,500

3.71% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

34,573

0.235% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Clay County, MN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.1% of the residents in Clay County, MN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Clay County, MN are Minnesota State University Moorhead (1,332 degrees awarded in 2024) and Concordia College at Moorhead (490 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Clay County, MN was $265,500, and the homeownership rate was 65.9%.

Most people in Clay County, MN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Clay County, MN was 2 cars per household.

Clay County, MN borders Becker County, MN, Norman County, MN, Otter Tail County, MN, Wilkin County, MN, Cass County, ND, and Richland County, ND.

United States Minnesota Fargo, ND-MN

Population & Diversity

Clay County, MN is home to a population of 66.1k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.21% of Clay County, MN residents were born outside of the country (2.78k people).

In 2024, there were 18.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55.1k people) in Clay County, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.01k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.48k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.1%

2024 Citizenship

98.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.1% of Clay County, MN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Clay County, MN was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Clay County, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Clay County, MN

White (Non-Hispanic)
55.1k ± 209
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.01k ± 329
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.48k ± 360

4.98%

Hispanic Population

3.29k people

4.98% of the people in Clay County, MN are hispanic (3.29k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Clay County, MN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Minnesota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
61,898 ± 6,075 people
Somalia
36,765 ± 4,692 people
India
31,170 ± 4,323 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Minnesota was Mexico, the natal country of 61,898 Minnesota residents, followed by Somalia with 36,765 and India with 31,170.

Foreign-Born Population

4.21%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.78k people

4.28%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

2.81k people

As of 2024, 4.21% of Clay County, MN residents (2.78k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Clay County, MN was 4.28%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Clay County, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,011 ± 239
Vietnam
761 ± 129
Gulf War (1990s)
268 ± 81

Clay County, MN has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.33 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Clay County, MN.

Health

96% of the population of Clay County, MN has health coverage, with 56.3% on employee plans, 15.1% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 1.62% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Clay County, MN see 5,044 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (5,044 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2060 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 300 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

5,044 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Clay County, MN

Primary care physicians in Clay County, MN see an average of 5,044 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (5,044 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Clay County, MN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27% under 18 years, 24.8% between 18 and 34 years, 34.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.96%

Uninsured

56.3%

Employer Coverage

15.1%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

12.4%

Non-Group

1.62%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Clay County, MN grew by 9.19% from 3.63% to 3.96%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Clay County, MN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.93 in Clay County, MN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Clay County, MN.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.1% in Clay County, MN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Clay County, MN.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 4.8% in Clay County, MN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Clay County, MN.

Economy

The economy of Clay County, MN employs 34.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Clay County, MN were Health Care & Social Assistance (5,926 people), Educational Services (4,006 people), and Retail Trade (3,545 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($76,250), Utilities ($75,000), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($73,962).

Employment

Occupations

34.6k

2024 Value

± 1,254

0.235%

1 Year growth

± 5.11%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Clay County, MN grew at a rate of 0.235%, from 34.5k employees to 34.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Clay County, MN, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,810 people), Management Occupations (3,239 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,810 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Clay County, MN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Minnesota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

34.6k

2024 Value

± 1,254

0.235%

1 Year growth

± 5.11%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Clay County, MN grew at a rate of 0.235%, from 34.5k employees to 34.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Clay County, MN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,926 people), Educational Services (4,006 people), and Retail Trade (3,545 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Clay County, MN, though some of these residents may live in Clay County, MN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$57,732

Median earning men ± $2,081

$41,703

Median earning women ± $2,126

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($84,648), Wholesale Trade ($79,728), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($77,697).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($63,155), Wholesale Trade ($50,662), and Construction ($50,430).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Y-Axis

2.26%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.93M people employed in Minnesota. This represents a 2.26% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Minnesota.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

157
Construction
98
Other Services (except Public Administration)
58
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$154k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$80.9k
Wholesale Trade
$78.8k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Minnesota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Minnesota is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Clay County, MN. Showing the available data for Minnesota.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (50.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.7%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (0.738%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Minnesota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Minnesota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar

Senator from Minnesota

Assumed office on January 3, 2007
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is the Minnesota affiliate of the U.S. Democratic Party and its members are counted as Democrats.

Tina Smith

Senator from Minnesota

Assumed office on January 3, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Al Franken.{{Cite news |url=http://abc7chicago.com/news/franken-to-make-announcement-thursday-as-chorus-grows-for-his-resignation/2747124/ |title=Franken to make announcement Thursday as chorus grows for his resignation |date=December 6, 2017 |work=ABC7 Chicago |access-date=December 9, 2017 }}

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing Minnesota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Minnesota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Clay County, MN awarded 1,822 degrees. The student population of Clay County, MN in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 2,383 male students and 3,938 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Clay County, MN are White (1,536 and 87.1%), Black or African American (75 and 4.25%), Hispanic or Latino (58 and 3.29%), and Two or More Races (43 and 2.44%).

The largest universities in Clay County, MN by number of degrees awarded are Minnesota State University Moorhead (1,332 and 73.1%) and Concordia College at Moorhead (490 and 26.9%).

The most popular majors in Clay County, MN are General Business Administration & Management (151 and 8.29%), Registered Nursing (134 and 7.35%), and General Educational Leadership & Administration (117 and 6.42%).

The median tuition costs are $30,400 for private four year colleges, and $8,838 and $8,838 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Clay County, MN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 60.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 6,321 (37.7% men and 62.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 6,321 students enrolled in Clay County, MN, 37.7% men and 62.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,825 records, of which 63.7% were women and 36.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
121 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
119 degrees awarded
General Psychology
90 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Clay County, MN was General Business Administration & Management with 121 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Clay County, MN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Minnesota State University Moorhead
1,332 degrees awarded
Concordia College at Moorhead
490 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Minnesota State University Moorhead with 1,332 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 641 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Clay County, MN, which is 0.543 times less than the 1,181 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,536 degrees mean that there were 20.5 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 75 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,400) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,590) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Clay County, MN was $265,500 in 2024, which is 0.798 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $256,000 to $265,500, a 3.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Clay County, MN is 65.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Clay County, MN have an average commute time of 19.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Clay County, MN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 14.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Clay County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.6%.

Housing

Property

$265,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$7,783

$17,424

Median Property Taxes

±$749

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Clay County, MN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Clay County, MN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.9%

Homeownership

2024

62.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 65.9% of the housing units in Clay County, MN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Clay County, MN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$81,172

Median Household Income

± $2,856

26.4k

Number of Households

± 1,053

In 2024, the median household income of the 26.4k households in Clay County, MN grew to $81,172 from the previous year's value of $77,664.

The following chart displays the households in Clay County, MN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Clay County, MN is from Minnesota.

0.452

2024 Wage GINI in Minnesota

0.454

2023 Wage GINI in Minnesota

In 2024, the income inequality in Minnesota was 0.452 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.568% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Minnesota was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Minnesota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Minnesota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (74.5%)
Worked At Home (11.8%)
Carpooled (7.45%)

In 2024, 74.5% of workers in Clay County, MN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.8%) and those who carpooled to work (7.45%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Clay County, MN have a shorter commute time (19.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.57% of the workforce in Clay County, MN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Clay County, MN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Clay County, MN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Clay County, MN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 14.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Clay County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Clay County, MN (8.37k out of 63.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Clay County, MN is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 13% of the children was living in poverty in Clay County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 135 in Clay County, MN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 34.2% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.