Editing Clay County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Clay County
 | state              = Minnesota
 | ex image           = Clay County Courthouse; Moorhead, MN; May 7, 2024.png
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = Clay County Courthouse in Moorhead
 | type               = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | flag               = 
 | seal               = 
 | logo               = ClayCountyMNlogo.png
 | logo size          = 250px
 | coordinates        = {{Coord|46.898377|-96.494901|region:US-MN_type:county|display=inline,title}}
 | founded            = March 8, 1862 (created)<br>February 27, 1872 (organized)
 | named for          = [[Henry Clay]]
 | seat wl            = Moorhead
 | largest city wl    = Moorhead
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 1052.629
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 1045.176	
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 7.453
 | area percentage    = 0.71%
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_total   = 65318
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2024
 | population_est     = 66848 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi      = 63.947
 | time zone          = Central
 | area codes         = [[Area code 218|218]]
 | district           = 7th
 | website            = {{URL|https://claycountymn.gov/|claycountymn.gov}}
 | footnote           = 
}}

'''Clay County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 65,318,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Clay_County,_Minnesota?g=050XX00US27027 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> and was estimated to be 66,848 in 2024,<ref name="QF"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Find a County |url=https://ce.naco.org/?find=true |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]] |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

Clay County is part of the [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], [[North Dakota|ND]]-MN [[Fargo–Moorhead|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Breckenridge County was created on March 18, 1858.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota: Individual County Chronologies |url=https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |website=publications.newberry.org |publisher=The [[Newberry Library]] |date=2008 |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> Clay County was established on November 2, 1860 as Breckinridge County and named for [[John 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 of [[Henry 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 the [[Northern Pacific Railway]] reached the area and settlement accelerated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Clay County |url=https://claycountymn.gov/260/History-of-Clay-County |publisher=Clay County, Minnesota |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Stack|[[File:Clay Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Clay County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 57-60. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]}}
Clay County lies on the western side of Minnesota. Its western boundary line abuts the eastern boundary line of the state of [[North Dakota]] (across the [[Red River of the North|Red River]]). The Red River flows northward along the western boundary line of the county, on its way to the [[Hudson Bay]] in Canada. The [[Buffalo River (Minnesota)|Buffalo River]] flows west-northwesterly through the center of the county, joined by the South Branch Buffalo River west of [[Glyndon, Minnesota|Glyndon]], before discharging into the Red on the county's western border near [[Georgetown, Minnesota|Georgetown]]. The terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds in its eastern portion.<ref name="CCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Clay+County,+MN/@46.8901295,-96.7863726,101957m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52c8853edd1217e5:0x8774acf3831637f7!8m2!3d46.878186!4d-96.4257589 ''Clay County MN''  Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the west and north, with its highest point near the southeastern corner, at {{convert|1,430|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/Clay County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1052.629|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1045.176|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.453|sqmi}} (0.71%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 County Gazetteer Files – Minnesota|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_counties_27.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> It is the 19th largest county in Minnesota by total area.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* {{jct|state=MN|I|94}}
* {{jct|state=MN|US|10}}
* {{jct|state=MN|US|52}}
* {{jct|state=MN|US|75}}
* {{jct|state=MN|MN|9}}
* {{jct|state=MN|MN|32}}
* {{jct|state=MN|MN|34}}
* {{jct|state=MN|MN|336}}
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
* [[MATBUS (Fargo-Moorhead)|MATBUS]]
* [[Jefferson Lines]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Norman County, Minnesota|Norman County]] - north
* [[Becker County, Minnesota|Becker County]] - east
* [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail County]] - southeast
* [[Wilkin County, Minnesota|Wilkin County]] - south
* [[Richland County, North Dakota]] - southwest
* [[Cass County, North Dakota]] - west
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* Aspen State Wildlife Management Area
* Bjornson State Wildlife Management Area
* Bluestone Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
* Clay County State Wildlife Management Area
* Cromwell State Wildlife Management Area
* Felton Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
* Goose Prairie State Wildlife Management Area
* Gruhl State Wildlife Management Area
* Hawley State Wildlife Management Area
* Hay Creek State Wildlife Management Area
* Highland State Wildlife Management Area
* Hitterdal State Wildlife Management Area
* Jeral State Wildlife Management Area
* Magnusson State Wildlife Management Area
* Skree State Wildlife Management Area
* Ulen State Wildlife Management Area
* Ulen Wildlife Refuge
{{div col end}}
<ref name=CCM/>

==Climate and weather==
{{climate chart
|[[Moorhead, Minnesota]]
|0|18|0.70
|6|24|0.64
|19|36|1.30
|33|56|1.36
|45|69|2.81
|55|77|3.90
|60|82|2.79
|57|81|2.56
|47|71|2.57
|35|56|2.15
|20|37|1.00
|6|22|0.83
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="WX">{{Cite web |title=Monthly Averages for Moorhead MN |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMN0514 |access-date=November 6, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Moorhead have ranged from a low of {{convert|0|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|82|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-48|°F}} was recorded in January 1887 and a record high of {{convert|114|°F}} was recorded in July 1936, the latter also the highest recorded temperature in the history of Minnesota. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|0.64|in}} in February to {{convert|3.90|in}} in June.<ref name=WX/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 72
|1870= 92
|1880= 5887
|1890= 11517
|1900= 17942
|1910= 19640
|1920= 21780
|1930= 23120
|1940= 25337
|1950= 30363
|1960= 39080
|1970= 46585
|1980= 49327
|1990= 50422
|2000= 51229
|2010= 58999
|2020= 65318
|estyear=2024
|estimate=66848
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br>1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |publisher=University of Virginia Library |url-status=live |date=2007 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=December 12, 2009}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|last=Forstall |first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url-status=live |date=March 27, 1995 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219135447/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |archive-date=February 19, 1999}}</ref><br>1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Clay County was $281,040.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Median Home Price|url=https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/county-median-home-prices-and-monthly-mortgage-payment|publisher=[[National Association of Realtors]]|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

As of the 2023 [[American 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 the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty 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.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clay County, Minnesota |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/claycountyminnesota/PST045224 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The median age in the county was 34.1 years.

'''Clay County, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 1980<ref name=1980CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Clay County, Minnesota — Population by Race |url=https://censusscope.org/us/s27/c27/chart_race.html |publisher=CensusScope |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 1990<ref name="Census 1990">{{cite web|title=1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Minnesota |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-25.pdf |website=www.census.gov |date=October 6, 2022 |page=21 |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clay County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=050XX00US27027 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clay County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US27027&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> !! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clay County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US27027&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 48,210<br>(97.74%) || 48,111<br>(95.42%) || 47,330<br>(92.39%) || 53,434<br>(90.57%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |54,424<br>(83.32%)
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 145<br>(0.29%) || 164<br>(0.33%) || 261<br>(0.51%) || 825<br>(1.40%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |3,141<br>(4.81%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 202<br>(0.41%) || 537<br>(1.07%) || 688<br>(1.34%) || 744<br>(1.26%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,032<br>(1.58%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 171<br>(0.35%) || 394<br>(0.78%) || 439<br>(0.86%) || 836<br>(1.42%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |764<br>(1.17%)
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| — || — || 14<br>(0.03%) || 17<br>(0.03%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |16<br>(0.02%)
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 115<br>(0.23%) || 37<br>(0.07%) || 14<br>(0.03%) || 38<br>(0.06%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |134<br>(0.21%)
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| — || — || 611<br>(1.19%) || 1,049<br>(1.78%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |2,796<br>(4.28%)
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 484<br>(0.98%) || 1,179<br>(2.34%) || 1,872<br>(3.65%) || 2,056<br>(3.48%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |3,011<br>(4.61%)
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''49,327<br>(100.00%)''' || '''50,422<br>(100.00%)''' || '''51,229<br>(100.00%)''' || '''58,999<br>(100.00%)''' || style='background: #ffffe6; |'''65,318<br>(100.00%)'''
|}

===2023 estimate===
[[File:ClayCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Clay County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-detail.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=www.census.gov |access-date=April 23, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In the 2023 estimate, Clay County is the [[List of Minnesota locations by per capita income|68th wealthiest county]] in Minnesota. $53,925 for per capita income.

===2020 Census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 65,318 people, 24,931 households, and 15,694 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Clay%20County,%20Minnesota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|62.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 26,844 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25.68|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 84.89% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.88% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.76% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.20% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.33% from some other races and 5.91% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 4.61% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Clay County, Minnesota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/clay-county-minnesota/050-27027/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 58,999 people, 22,279 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|56.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 23,959 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22.92|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.69% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.43% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.36% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.43% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.89% from some other races and 2.16% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 3.48% of the population.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 51,229 people, 18,670 households, and 12,340 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|49.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,746 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.52% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.44% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.88% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.67% from some other races and 1.47% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 3.65% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 40.4% were of [[norwegian people|Norwegian]] and 26.8% [[German people|German]].

There were 18,670 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were [[Marriage|married 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. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,557. About 7.40% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and politics==
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 of [[college town]] [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]] and proximity to [[Fargo, North Dakota]] makes the county more liberal than others in western Minnesota.

{{PresHead|place=Clay County, Minnesota|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|15,965|16,121|788|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|15,043|16,357|839|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,543|12,971|2,884|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|12,920|15,208|758|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|11,978|16,666|615|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|14,365|12,989|383|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|11,712|10,128|1,518|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|8,764|10,476|2,079|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|9,666|9,845|3,967|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|10,380|11,186|139|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|11,565|10,294|119|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|10,447|8,940|3,121|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|10,317|10,876|515|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|11,089|9,076|235|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|7,910|7,987|663|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|6,085|10,161|39|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|8,278|7,241|25|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|6,783|6,057|15|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,178|5,036|20|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,302|6,624|219|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|4,392|5,230|52|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|4,450|6,295|48|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,880|6,282|459|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,556|5,938|270|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,057|3,128|87|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|3,081|439|3,396|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,943|1,335|493|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,549|1,716|193|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|549|942|1,561|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,857|1,125|182|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,185|388|223|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,903|1,165|133|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,594|1,908|90|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|959|594|833|Minnesota}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+County Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Commissioners |url=https://claycountymn.gov/132/Board-of-Commissioners |website=www.claycountymn.gov |publisher=Clay County, Minnesota |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>
! 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
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+State Legislature (2023–2025)
! colspan="2" |Position
! Name
! Affiliation
! District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
| Senate
| [[Rob Kupec]]
| [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
| District 4
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
| House of Representatives
| [[Heather Keeler]]
| [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
| District 4A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| House of Representatives
| [[Jim Joy]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| District 4B
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+U.S Congress (2023–2025)
! colspan="2" |Position
! Name
! Affiliation
! District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| [[Michelle Fischbach]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Representative Michelle Fischbach |url=https://fischbach.house.gov/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103173409/https://fischbach.house.gov/ |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021 |website=fischbach.house.gov}}</ref>
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| [[Minnesota's 7th congressional district|7th]]
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
| [[United States Senate|Senate]]
| [[Amy Klobuchar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar |url=https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=www.klobuchar.senate.gov}}</ref>
| [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
| N/A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
| [[United States Senate|Senate]]
| [[Tina Smith]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.smith.senate.gov/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=Senator Tina Smith |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
| N/A
|}

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Barnesville, Minnesota|Barnesville]]
* [[Comstock, Minnesota|Comstock]]
* [[Dilworth, Minnesota|Dilworth]]
* [[Felton, Minnesota|Felton]]
* [[Georgetown, Minnesota|Georgetown]]
* [[Glyndon, Minnesota|Glyndon]]
* [[Hawley, Minnesota|Hawley]]
* [[Hitterdal, Minnesota|Hitterdal]]
* [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]] (county seat)
* [[Sabin, Minnesota|Sabin]]
* [[Ulen, Minnesota|Ulen]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Baker, Minnesota|Baker]]
* [[Oakport, Minnesota|Oakport]] (part of Moorhead since 2015)

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Averill, Minnesota|Averill]]
* [[Dale, Minnesota|Dale]]
* [[Downer, Minnesota|Downer]]
* [[Kragnes, Minnesota|Kragnes]]
* [[Manitoba Junction, Minnesota|Manitoba Junction]]
* [[Muskoda, Minnesota|Muskoda]]
* [[Rollag, Minnesota|Rollag]]
* [[Rustad, Minnesota|Rustad]]
* [[Tansem, Minnesota|Tansem]]
* [[Winnipeg Junction, Minnesota|Winnipeg Junction]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Alliance Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Alliance Township]]
* [[Barnesville Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Barnesville Township]]
* [[Cromwell Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Cromwell Township]]
* [[Eglon Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Eglon Township]]
* [[Elkton Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Elkton Township]]
* [[Elmwood Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Elmwood Township]]
* [[Felton Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Felton Township]]
* [[Flowing Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Flowing Township]]
* [[Georgetown Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Georgetown Township]]
* [[Glyndon Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Glyndon Township]]
* [[Goose Prairie Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Goose Prairie Township]]
* [[Hagen Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Hagen Township]]
* [[Hawley Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Hawley Township]]
* [[Highland Grove Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Highland Grove Township]]
* [[Holy Cross Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Holy Cross Township]]
* [[Humboldt Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Humboldt Township]]
* [[Keene Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Keene Township]]
* [[Kragnes Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Kragnes Township]]
* [[Kurtz Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Kurtz Township]]
* [[Moland Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Moland Township]]
* [[Moorhead Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Moorhead Township]]
* [[Morken Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Morken Township]]
* [[Oakport Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Oakport Township]]
* [[Parke Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Parke Township]]
* [[Riverton Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Riverton Township]]
* [[Skree Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Skree Township]]
* [[Spring Prairie Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Spring Prairie Township]]
* [[Tansem Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Tansem Township]]
* [[Ulen Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Ulen Township]]
* [[Viding Township, Clay County, Minnesota|Viding Township]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Clay County, Minnesota]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://claycountymn.gov/ Clay County – official website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Clay County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Norman County, Minnesota|Norman County]]
|East      = [[Becker County, Minnesota|Becker County]]
|Southeast = [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail County]]
|South     = [[Wilkin County, Minnesota|Wilkin County]]
|Southwest = [[Richland County, North Dakota]]
|West      = [[Cass County, North Dakota]]
}}

{{Clay County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Fargo-Moorhead}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clay County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:Fargo–Moorhead]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]