Clay County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 Clay County Courthouse in Moorhead | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMinnesota | |
 Minnesota's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:46°53′54″N96°29′42″W / 46.898377°N 96.494901°W /46.898377; -96.494901 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | March 8, 1862 (created) February 27, 1872 (organized) |
| Named after | Henry Clay |
| Seat | Moorhead |
| Largest city | Moorhead |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,052.629 sq mi (2,726.30 km2) |
| • Land | 1,045.176 sq mi (2,706.99 km2) |
| • Water | 7.453 sq mi (19.30 km2) 0.71% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 65,318 |
• Estimate (2024) | 66,848 |
| • Density | 63.947/sq mi (24.690/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 218 |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | claycountymn.gov |
Clay County is acounty in theU.S. state ofMinnesota. As of the2020 census, the population was 65,318,[1] and was estimated to be 66,848 in 2024,[2] Itscounty seat isMoorhead.[3]
Clay County is part of theFargo,ND-MNMetropolitan Statistical Area.
Breckenridge County was created on March 18, 1858.[4] Clay County was established on November 2, 1860 as Breckinridge County and named forJohn C. Breckinridge, vice president of the United States from 1857 to 1861. After the Civil War began, Breckinridge joined the Confederate Army and in March 1862 the state Legislature replaced the name of Breckinridge with that ofHenry Clay (1777–1852), who like Breckinridge was from Lexington, Ky., and was known "The Great Pacificator" or "The Great Compromiser" who helped head off civil war at least twice. The county's government was not organized until 1872, after theNorthern Pacific Railway reached the area and settlement accelerated.[5]
Clay County lies on the western side of Minnesota. Its western boundary line abuts the eastern boundary line of the state ofNorth Dakota (across theRed River). The Red River flows northward along the western boundary line of the county, on its way to theHudson Bay in Canada. TheBuffalo River flows west-northwesterly through the center of the county, joined by the South Branch Buffalo River west ofGlyndon, before discharging into the Red on the county's western border nearGeorgetown. The terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds in its eastern portion.[7] The terrain slopes to the west and north, with its highest point near the southeastern corner, at 1,430 ft (440 m) ASL.[8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,052.629 square miles (2,726.30 km2), of which 1,045.176 square miles (2,706.99 km2) is land and 7.453 square miles (19.30 km2) (0.71%) is water.[9] It is the 19th largest county in Minnesota by total area.
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Moorhead have ranged from a low of 0 °F (−18 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −48 °F (−44 °C) was recorded in January 1887 and a record high of 114 °F (46 °C) was recorded in July 1936, the latter also the highest recorded temperature in the history of Minnesota. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.64 inches (16 mm) in February to 3.90 inches (99 mm) in June.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 72 | — | |
| 1870 | 92 | 27.8% | |
| 1880 | 5,887 | 6,298.9% | |
| 1890 | 11,517 | 95.6% | |
| 1900 | 17,942 | 55.8% | |
| 1910 | 19,640 | 9.5% | |
| 1920 | 21,780 | 10.9% | |
| 1930 | 23,120 | 6.2% | |
| 1940 | 25,337 | 9.6% | |
| 1950 | 30,363 | 19.8% | |
| 1960 | 39,080 | 28.7% | |
| 1970 | 46,585 | 19.2% | |
| 1980 | 49,327 | 5.9% | |
| 1990 | 50,422 | 2.2% | |
| 2000 | 51,229 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 58,999 | 15.2% | |
| 2020 | 65,318 | 10.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 66,848 | [11] | 2.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[2] | |||
As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Clay County was $281,040.[16]
As of the 2023American Community Survey, there are 25,939 estimated households in Clay County with an average of 2.41 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $77,664. Approximately 13.1% of the county's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Clay County has an estimated 70.5% employment rate, with 39.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 95.0% holding a high school diploma.[2]
The median age in the county was 34.1 years.
Clay County, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
| Race / ethnicity(NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[17] | Pop. 1990[18] | Pop. 2000[19] | Pop. 2010[20] | Pop. 2020[21] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 48,210 (97.74%) | 48,111 (95.42%) | 47,330 (92.39%) | 53,434 (90.57%) | 54,424 (83.32%) |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 145 (0.29%) | 164 (0.33%) | 261 (0.51%) | 825 (1.40%) | 3,141 (4.81%) |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 202 (0.41%) | 537 (1.07%) | 688 (1.34%) | 744 (1.26%) | 1,032 (1.58%) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 171 (0.35%) | 394 (0.78%) | 439 (0.86%) | 836 (1.42%) | 764 (1.17%) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | — | 14 (0.03%) | 17 (0.03%) | 16 (0.02%) |
| Other race alone (NH) | 115 (0.23%) | 37 (0.07%) | 14 (0.03%) | 38 (0.06%) | 134 (0.21%) |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | — | 611 (1.19%) | 1,049 (1.78%) | 2,796 (4.28%) |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 484 (0.98%) | 1,179 (2.34%) | 1,872 (3.65%) | 2,056 (3.48%) | 3,011 (4.61%) |
| Total | 49,327 (100.00%) | 50,422 (100.00%) | 51,229 (100.00%) | 58,999 (100.00%) | 65,318 (100.00%) |
As of the 2023 estimate, there were 66,258 people and 25,939 households residing in the county. There were 27,851 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 87.9% White(84.0% NH White), 5.7% African American, 2.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.1% of the population.[22]
In the 2023 estimate, Clay County is the68th wealthiest county in Minnesota. $53,925 for per capita income.
As of the2020 census, there were 65,318 people, 24,931 households, and 15,694 families residing in the county.[23] Thepopulation density was 62.5 inhabitants per square mile (24.1/km2). There were 26,844 housing units at an average density of 25.68 per square mile (9.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.89%White, 4.88%African American, 1.76%Native American, 1.20%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 1.33% from some other races and 5.91% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.61% of the population.[24]
As of the2010 census, there were 58,999 people, 22,279 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 56.4 inhabitants per square mile (21.8/km2). There were 23,959 housing units at an average density of 22.92 per square mile (8.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.69%White, 1.43%African American, 1.36%Native American, 1.43%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.89% from some other races and 2.16% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.48% of the population.
As of the2000 census, there were 51,229 people, 18,670 households, and 12,340 families residing in the county. The population density was 49.0 inhabitants per square mile (18.9/km2). There were 19,746 housing units at an average density of 18.9 per square mile (7.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.99%White, 0.52%African American, 1.44%Native American, 0.88%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 1.67% from some other races and 1.47% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.65% of the population.
In terms of ancestry, 40.4% were ofNorwegian and 26.8%German.
There were 18,670 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% weremarried couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 17.10% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 19.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,889, and the median income for a family was $49,192. Males had a median income of $34,176 versus $23,149 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,557. About 7.40% of families and 13.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
In national elections, Clay County has been a Democrat-leaning swing county for several decades. From 1992 to 2020, it voted for the winner of the presidential election. Since 1928, the only years in which Clay did not go for the election winner were 1960, 1968, 1988 and 2024. The presence ofcollege townMoorhead and proximity toFargo, North Dakota makes the county more liberal than others in western Minnesota.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 959 | 40.19% | 594 | 24.90% | 833 | 34.91% |
| 1896 | 1,594 | 44.38% | 1,908 | 53.12% | 90 | 2.51% |
| 1900 | 1,903 | 59.45% | 1,165 | 36.39% | 133 | 4.15% |
| 1904 | 2,185 | 78.15% | 388 | 13.88% | 223 | 7.98% |
| 1908 | 1,857 | 58.69% | 1,125 | 35.56% | 182 | 5.75% |
| 1912 | 549 | 17.99% | 942 | 30.87% | 1,561 | 51.15% |
| 1916 | 1,549 | 44.79% | 1,716 | 49.62% | 193 | 5.58% |
| 1920 | 4,943 | 73.00% | 1,335 | 19.72% | 493 | 7.28% |
| 1924 | 3,081 | 44.55% | 439 | 6.35% | 3,396 | 49.10% |
| 1928 | 5,057 | 61.13% | 3,128 | 37.81% | 87 | 1.05% |
| 1932 | 2,556 | 29.16% | 5,938 | 67.75% | 270 | 3.08% |
| 1936 | 2,880 | 29.93% | 6,282 | 65.29% | 459 | 4.77% |
| 1940 | 4,450 | 41.23% | 6,295 | 58.32% | 48 | 0.44% |
| 1944 | 4,392 | 45.40% | 5,230 | 54.06% | 52 | 0.54% |
| 1948 | 4,302 | 38.60% | 6,624 | 59.43% | 219 | 1.97% |
| 1952 | 7,178 | 58.67% | 5,036 | 41.16% | 20 | 0.16% |
| 1956 | 6,783 | 52.77% | 6,057 | 47.12% | 15 | 0.12% |
| 1960 | 8,278 | 53.26% | 7,241 | 46.58% | 25 | 0.16% |
| 1964 | 6,085 | 37.37% | 10,161 | 62.39% | 39 | 0.24% |
| 1968 | 7,910 | 47.77% | 7,987 | 48.23% | 663 | 4.00% |
| 1972 | 11,089 | 54.36% | 9,076 | 44.49% | 235 | 1.15% |
| 1976 | 10,317 | 47.53% | 10,876 | 50.10% | 515 | 2.37% |
| 1980 | 10,447 | 46.41% | 8,940 | 39.72% | 3,121 | 13.87% |
| 1984 | 11,565 | 52.62% | 10,294 | 46.84% | 119 | 0.54% |
| 1988 | 10,380 | 47.82% | 11,186 | 51.54% | 139 | 0.64% |
| 1992 | 9,666 | 41.17% | 9,845 | 41.93% | 3,967 | 16.90% |
| 1996 | 8,764 | 41.11% | 10,476 | 49.14% | 2,079 | 9.75% |
| 2000 | 11,712 | 50.14% | 10,128 | 43.36% | 1,518 | 6.50% |
| 2004 | 14,365 | 51.79% | 12,989 | 46.83% | 383 | 1.38% |
| 2008 | 11,978 | 40.94% | 16,666 | 56.96% | 615 | 2.10% |
| 2012 | 12,920 | 44.73% | 15,208 | 52.65% | 758 | 2.62% |
| 2016 | 13,543 | 46.07% | 12,971 | 44.12% | 2,884 | 9.81% |
| 2020 | 15,043 | 46.66% | 16,357 | 50.74% | 839 | 2.60% |
| 2024 | 15,965 | 48.56% | 16,121 | 49.04% | 788 | 2.40% |
| District | Commissioner | Assumed office | Current term ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paul Krabbenhoft | 2021 | January 2029 |
| 2nd | Ezra Baer | 2025 | January 2029 |
| 3rd | Jenny Mongeau | 2015 | January 2027 |
| 4th | Kevin Campbell | 2003 | January 2027 |
| 5th | David Ebinger (Board Chair) | 2025 | January 2029 |
| Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Rob Kupec | DFL | District 4 | |
| House of Representatives | Heather Keeler | DFL | District 4A | |
| House of Representatives | Jim Joy | Republican | District 4B | |
| Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Representatives | Michelle Fischbach[27] | Republican | 7th | |
| Senate | Amy Klobuchar[28] | DFL | N/A | |
| Senate | Tina Smith[29] | DFL | N/A | |
Places adjacent to Clay County, Minnesota | |
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Municipalities and communities ofClay County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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