Clay County, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
. As of 2010, the population was 58,999. Its name is in honor of American statesman Henry Clay
, member of the United States Senate
from Kentucky
and United States Secretary of State
in the 19th century. Its county seat
is Moorhead
. It was originally called Breckenridge County, but changed to its current name in 1862.
Clay County is part of the Fargo
, ND
–MN Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
of 2000, there were 51,229 people, 18,670 households, and 12,340 families residing in the county. The population density
was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 19,746 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% White
, 0.52% Black
or African American
, 1.44% Native American
, 0.88% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.67% from other races
, and 1.47% from two or more races. 3.65% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 40.4% were of Norwegian and 26.8% German ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 18,670 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were 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.
In the county the population was spread out with 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 line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. As of 2010, the population was 58,999. Its name is in honor of American statesman Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
in the 19th century. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Moorhead
Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
. It was originally called Breckenridge County, but changed to its current name in 1862.
Clay County is part of the Fargo
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, ND
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
–MN Metropolitan Statistical Area
Fargo-Moorhead
Fargo-Moorhead is a common name given to the metropolitan area comprising Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and the surrounding communities. These two cities lie on the North Dakota-Minnesota border, on opposite banks of the Red River of the North...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1052.74 square miles (2,726.6 km²), of which 1045.24 square miles (2,707.2 km²) (or 99.29%) is land and 7.49 square miles (19.4 km²) (or 0.71%) is water.Major highways
|
 Minnesota State Highway 9Minnesota State Highway 9 Minnesota State Highway 9 is a highway in west-central and northwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 23 in New London and continues west and then north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 in Fairfax Township near Crookston.This highway has...  Minnesota State Highway 32Minnesota State Highway 32 Minnesota State Highway 32 is a highway in west-central and northwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 34 in Tansem Township near Barnesville and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 11 in Greenbush at Roseau County.Highway 32...  Minnesota State Highway 34Minnesota State Highway 34 Minnesota State Highway 34 is a highway in west-central and north-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 9 in Barnesville and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highways 200 and 371 in Walker.The route is concurrent with U.S...  Minnesota State Highway 336Minnesota State Highway 336 Minnesota State Highway 336 is a short highway in northwest Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 94 near Moorhead and continues north to its interchange with U.S. Highway 10 near Dilworth and Glyndon.The route is in length.... |
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 52
U.S. Highway 75Adjacent counties
- Norman County, Minnesota (north)
- Becker County, MinnesotaBecker County, MinnesotaBecker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat is Detroit Lakes. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county.-History:...
(east) - Otter Tail County, MinnesotaOtter Tail County, MinnesotaOtter Tail County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 57,303. Its county seat is Fergus Falls.-History:...
(southeast) - Wilkin County, MinnesotaWilkin County, Minnesota-External links:*...
(south) - Richland County, North DakotaRichland County, North Dakota-History:Richland County wa formed in 1873. It was named for Morgan T. Rich, an early settler in the area.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,998 people, 6,885 households, and 4,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile . There...
(southwest) - Cass County, North DakotaCass County, North Dakota-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,138 people, 51,315 households, and 29,814 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were 53,790 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
(west)
Law and government
Clay County is governed by a board of five commissioners.- Wayne Ingersol (Moorhead) 1st District
- Jerry Waller (Dilworth) 2nd District
- Jon Evert (Comstock) 3rd District (chair)
- Kevin Campbell (Moorhead) 4th District
- Mike McCarthy (Moorhead) 5th District
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 51,229 people, 18,670 households, and 12,340 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 19,746 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.52% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.44% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.88% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.67% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.47% from two or more races. 3.65% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 40.4% were of Norwegian and 26.8% German ancestry according to Census 2000.
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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.
In the county the population was spread out with 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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,557. About 7.40% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 76.48% 1,582,973 | 23.05% 477,038 |
| 2004 | 70.25% 1,439,724 | 29.15% 597,405 |
| 2000 | 68.63% 1,280,547 | 28.65% 534,542 |
Cities and towns
| Cities | Townships | CDP | Other communities | |
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Baker, Minnesota Baker is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Minnesota, United States. It lies roughly halfway between the cities of Sabin and Barnesville.... Dale, Minnesota Dale is a ghost town in section 34 of Highland Grove Township in Clay County, Minnesota, United States.-History:The village of Dale was established by Andrew L. Jelsing when he purchased and moved Ole Gool's saloon from Winnipeg Junction. In addition to owning the saloon, Jelsing was also... Downer, Minnesota Downer is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located between Moorhead and Barnesville at the junction of Minnesota State Highway 9 and County Road 10 .Interstate 94 is nearby.... Muskoda, Minnesota Muskoda is a ghost town in section 7 of Hawley Township in Clay County, Minnesota, United States.-History:Muskoda received its name from the Ojibwa word Mashkode, which according to Baraga means "a meadow or tract of grassland, a large prairie." The townsite was originally on a line of the... Rollag, Minnesota Rollag is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located northeast of Barnesville and south of Hawley on Minnesota State Highway 32.... Winnipeg Junction, Minnesota Winnipeg Junction is a ghost town in section 22 of Highland Grove Township in Clay County, Minnesota.-History:Winnipeg Junction was established in 1885 with the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad... |