Clay
Minnesota

What stands out

If you had to describe Clay County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is in the bottom 4% of American counties (43°F), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5.3%), and unemployment is in the bottom 7% of American counties (2.2%). Within Minnesota it ranks 25th of 87 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clay County, Minnesota. 65,307 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +264).

Minnesota has a graduated income tax that reaches 9.85%, taxes Social Security above income thresholds, and has an estate tax with a $3 million exemption. In exchange it ranks near the top in health outcomes, school results and household income, and the Twin Cities metro holds more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than any other. Winters are long and cold.

Money

The typical household here brings in $75,006 a year, higher than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,697. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 93% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,617 a year.

Home

The median home costs $305K, pricier than 71% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $970 a month. Property tax is 1.13% of home value, roughly $2,720 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.9 years, longer than 83% of American counties. There are 33 active physicians in the county, about 5.1 per 10,000 people. 5.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 86% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 14 points. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Minnesota law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 43°F, highs near 54 and lows near 32, colder than 96% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 59 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 234 Mbps down, faster than 66% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.