Clay County

As of the latest data, Clay County, MN, has a population of approximately 65,000. The racial composition is around 91.2% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 2.4% Asian, and 2.8% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income stands at about $61,367, with a poverty rate of 12.1%. The county's age distribution shows 23.6% under 18, 13.4% over 65, and a median age of 33.4 years. The gender ratio is nearly balanced with approximately 50.2% males and 49.8% females.

As of 2023, Clay County, MN, has a median home value of around $230,000. The median rent is approximately $850 per month. Homeownership stands at about 70%, with a 30% rental occupancy. The county exhibits a 2% vacancy rate. Housing inventory is relatively balanced, though demand slightly outweighs supply. Property taxes average 1.17% of the home's assessed value. New construction rates are steady, contributing about 150-200 new residences annually.

Clay County, MN, falls under Minnesota's 7th Congressional District. As of the 2022 midterm elections, key races included the House of Representatives, state senate, and local offices.

In the 2022 general election for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 7 saw incumbent Republican Michelle Fischbach competing against Democrat Jill Abahsain. Fischbach secured her seat with 67.6% of the vote compared to Abahsain's 32.4%.

State Senate District 4 featured a contest between DFL incumbent Kent Eken and Republican challenger Jordan Rasmusson. Rasmusson won with 52.9% to Eken’s 47.1%.

For local government roles, voters elected members to the Clay County Board of Commissioners, with notable races in Districts 1 and 2.

These races highlight the political landscape in Clay County, characterized by competitive local elections and a strong presence of Republican candidates in federal and state offices.

As of the most recent data, Clay County, MN, shows strong educational attainment. Approximately 93.3% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, surpassing the national average of about 88%. Additionally, 32.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is close to the national average of 33.1% and the Minnesota state average of 36%. These metrics indicate that Clay County is relatively well-educated compared to both national and state benchmarks. Moreover, the presence of higher education institutions such as Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College in Moorhead positively influences the county's educational landscape.

As of the latest data, Clay County, MN, has a civilian labor force of approximately 32,000. The county's unemployment rate stands at around 3.5%, slightly below the national average of 3.7% and Minnesota's average of 3.4%. Top industries include Education and Health Services (employing about 25% of the workforce), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (20%), and Manufacturing (15%). Compared to national trends, Clay County has a higher proportion of employment in Education and Health Services, reflecting the presence of significant institutions like Minnesota State University Moorhead. The county's manufacturing sector also outpaces the national average, which sits around 10%, and aligns closely with the state average of 14%.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Clay County, MN, is approximately $63,000. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Minnesota is around $73,000, while the national median household income stands at $68,700.

Below is a statistics table for easy comparison:

Clay County's median income is lower than both the state and national averages, indicating a potential area of focus for local economic development initiatives.

As of the latest data available, Clay County, MN, has seen varied crime rates across different categories. Here are the crime rates per 1,000 residents for key types of crimes:

Violent crimes in the county are relatively low at 1.5 per 1,000 residents, while property crimes are more prevalent at 15.0 per 1,000 residents. Burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft are significant contributors to the property crime rate. Efforts are ongoing to enhance community safety through various law enforcement initiatives.