RANK #673 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 18 MN · POP 66,059
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Clay County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.8% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 32/100, Clay County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $81,172 combined with job growth of -0.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Clay County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $265,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,019/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Clay County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.7%). Home values shifted +2.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.74% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Clay County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.