# Clay County, Minnesota *County in the U.S. state of Minnesota* Clay County is a county in western [[Minnesota]], and Moorhead is its county seat. The 2020 census counted 65,318 residents, and the population was estimated at 67,734 in 2025.[^1] The county belongs to the Fargo, ND–MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.[^1] The county's western line follows the Red River, which separates it from North Dakota.[^2] It was established in 1860 as Breckinridge County, named for Vice President John C. Breckinridge. In March 1862, after Breckinridge had joined the Confederate Army, the state Legislature renamed it for Henry Clay. County government was organized in 1872.[^3] ## History A Breckenridge County was created on March 18, 1858. On November 2, 1860, the county now called Clay was established under the name Breckinridge County. The name honored John C. Breckinridge, who served as [[Vice President of the United States]] from 1857 to 1861.[^3] Once the Civil War had begun, Breckinridge joined the Confederate Army. In March 1862 the state [[Legislature]] substituted the name of Henry Clay (1777–1852).[^3] Like Breckinridge, Clay came from Lexington, Kentucky. He was known as "The Great Pacificator" or "The Great Compromiser," and he is credited with helping to avert civil war at least twice.[^3] The county did not organize a government until 1872. That year followed the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway, after which settlement quickened.[^3] ## Geography Clay County sits on the state's western side, where it borders North Dakota along the Red River. The river runs north toward Hudson Bay in Canada.[^2] The Buffalo River crosses the middle of the county toward the west-northwest. West of Glyndon it picks up the South Branch Buffalo River, and it empties into the Red at the western border near Georgetown.[^2] Rolling hills with scattered lakes and ponds mark the eastern part. The land falls away to the west and north from a high point of 1,430 ft (440 m) above sea level near the southeastern corner.[^2] [[United States Census Bureau]] figures give a total area of 1,052.629 square miles (2,726.30 km²). Of that, 1,045.176 square miles (2,706.99 km²) is land and 7.453 square miles (19.30 km²), or 0.71%, is water.[^2] By total area it ranks 19th among Minnesota's counties.[^2] The highways serving the county are I-94, US 10, US 52, US 75, MN 9, MN 32, MN 34 and MN 336. Transit is provided by MATBUS and Jefferson Lines.[^2] The neighboring Minnesota counties are Norman to the north, Becker to the east, Otter Tail to the southeast and Wilkin to the south. In North Dakota, Richland County lies to the southwest and Cass County to the west.[^2] Protected areas include the Bluestone Prairie and Felton Prairie scientific and natural areas. There are also several state wildlife management areas, among them Aspen, Bjornson, Clay County, Cromwell, Goose Prairie, Gruhl, Hawley, Hay Creek, Highland and Hitterdal.[^2] ## Climate and weather In Moorhead, average temperatures in recent years have run from a January low of 0 °F (−18 °C) to a July high of 82 °F (28 °C).[^4] The coldest reading on record, −48 °F (−44 °C), dates to January 1887. The hottest, 114 °F (46 °C) in July 1936, is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota.[^4] Average monthly precipitation runs from 0.64 inches (16 mm) in February to 3.90 inches (99 mm) in June.[^4] ## Demographics The 2020 census counted 65,318 people, with a median age of 33.9 years. Of these residents, 25.2% were under 18 and 13.9% were 65 or older. There were 98.6 males for every 100 females, and 95.9 males for every 100 females aged 18 and over.[^5] The 2023 estimate put the population at 66,258, living in 25,939 households, with 27,851 housing units.[^5] The 2023 American Community Survey estimated an average of 2.41 persons per household and a median household income of $77,664. It found 13.1% of the population at or below the poverty line.[^5] The same survey estimated a 70.5% employment rate. It reported that 95.0% of residents held a high school diploma and 39.0% held a bachelor's degree or higher. The median age given alongside these figures is 34.1 years.[^5] Per capita income in the 2023 estimate was $53,925, placing the county 68th among Minnesota counties by wealth.[^5] The median home value in the third quarter of 2024 was $281,040.[^5] The 2023 estimate also reports the county's population by race and ethnicity:[^5] - 87.9% White, including 84.0% non-Hispanic White - 5.7% African American - 2.0% Native American - 1.4% Asian - 0.1% Pacific Islander - 2.9% two or more races Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 5.1% of the population.[^5] The 2020 census reported 84.9% White and 4.9% Black or African American.[^5] ## Government and politics For several decades Clay County has leaned Democratic in national elections while swinging between the parties.[^6] It backed the national winner in every presidential election from 1992 to 2020. Since 1928 it has departed from the winner only in 1960, 1968, 1988 and 2024.[^6] Wikipedia's account attributes the county's more liberal voting, compared with the rest of western Minnesota, to two factors: Moorhead's college-town character and the county's nearness to Fargo, North Dakota.[^6] ## Communities The county has eleven cities: Barnesville, Comstock, Dilworth, Felton, Georgetown, Glyndon, Hawley, Hitterdal, Moorhead (the county seat), Sabin and Ulen.[^7] Baker is a census-designated place.[^7] The unincorporated communities are Averill, Dale, Downer, Kragnes, Manitoba Junction, Muskoda, Rollag, Rustad, Tansem and Winnipeg Junction.[^7] Oakport was formerly a census-designated place and has been part of Moorhead since 2015.[^7] Thirty townships are listed, from Alliance Township to Viding Township. Among them are Moorhead, Oakport, Georgetown and Glyndon townships.[^7] ## In the Minnesota record ### What - Clay County has a total area of 1,052.629 square miles, the 19th largest in Minnesota.[^2] ### When - A Breckenridge County was created on March 18, 1858.[^3] - Breckinridge County was established on November 2, 1860.[^3] - The Legislature renamed the county for Henry Clay in March 1862.[^3] - County government was organized in 1872.[^3] ### Where - The county is on Minnesota's western side, bordering North Dakota along the Red River.[^2] ### How many - Population: 65,318 (2020 census); 66,258 (2023 estimate); 67,734 (2025 estimate).[^1][^5] - Households: 25,939 (2023 estimate).[^5] - Townships listed: 30; cities: 11.[^7] ## See also - [[History of Minnesota]] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, lead section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — population in 2020 and the 2025 estimate, county seat, and membership in the Fargo metropolitan area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — boundaries, rivers, terrain, Census Bureau area figures, highways, transit, adjacent counties and protected areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — 1858 creation, 1860 establishment as Breckinridge County, the March 1862 renaming for Henry Clay, and 1872 organization of county government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, Climate and weather section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — Moorhead temperature averages, records and precipitation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — 2020 census, 2023 estimate and 2023 American Community Survey figures, and the 2024 median home value. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — presidential voting record since 1928. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Clay County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1381242053, retrieved 25 October 2026) — cities, census-designated places, unincorporated communities, townships, and Oakport's 2015 merger into Moorhead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Minnesota