RANK #525 / 996 · POP 65,307 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%
Clay County, Minnesota, is often recognized for Moorhead, its largest city and county seat, which sits directly across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota. This unique positioning means residents experience a bi-state metropolitan area with a combined population of over 200,000. Commuting across the river to Fargo for work or amenities is common, with options including personal vehicles and the MATBUS public transit system. The county's landscape transitions from flat, agricultural plains in the west to rolling hills and lakes in the east, offering outdoor recreation at places like Buffalo River State Park, known for its prairie preserves, hiking, and birdwatching.
Life in Clay County offers a blend of urban access and a quieter pace, appealing to families and those seeking a suburban or rural lifestyle. The local economy is driven by agriculture, education, and health services, with institutions like Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College contributing to a vibrant academic and artistic environment. Public schools in Clay County are generally well-regarded, with Barnesville Elementary and Hawley Elementary among the top-ranked. Recent economic developments focus on sustainable growth, supporting local businesses, and attracting new industries through programs offered by the Clay County Economic Development Authority.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Clay County has a Boom Town Index score of 47/100, ranking #525 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $75,006, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Clay County is $241,400 with median rent at $972/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3107, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.64% of Clay County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.