Clay County, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 16th-largest in Minnesota
The population of Clay County, Minnesota is 65,628 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 16th-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $77,664, the median home value is $256,000, and the median age is 33.5.
The population of Clay County has grown 13.0% since 2010 (59,144 → 66,848), a +0.88% annualized rate.
65,628
Population
+0.88%
Annual growth
63
People / sq mi
$77,664
Median Income
$256,000
Median Home Value
Clay County covers 1,045 sq mi of land at 62.8 people per square mile.
About Clay County, MN
Clay County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 65,628. It ranks #16 among counties in Minnesota by population. The median age is 33.5, younger than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The median household income in Clay County is $77,664, near the US median of $74,580. 7.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $256,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,000. The homeownership rate of 66.6% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Clay County reflects 39.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 11.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.5 minutes each way.
Clay County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Clay County had a population of 59,144 in 2010 and 66,848 in 2024, a 13.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 66,848 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.88%.
66,848
Population (2024)
59,144
Population (2010)
66,848
Peak (2024)
0.88%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 59,144 |
| 2011 | 59,937 |
| 2012 | 60,229 |
| 2013 | 60,567 |
| 2014 | 61,297 |
| 2015 | 62,235 |
| 2016 | 63,090 |
| 2017 | 63,844 |
| 2018 | 64,079 |
| 2019 | 64,441 |
| 2020 | 65,359 |
| 2021 | 65,674 |
| 2022 | 65,989 |
| 2023 | 66,425 |
| 2024 | 66,848 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 86.3% |
| Black or African American | 4.8% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.2% |
Age & Sex
33.5
Median Age
50.2%
Female
49.8%
Male
13.9%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.8% · Seniors (65+): 13.9%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $77,664$-9,892 vs state |
| Mean household income | $96,841 |
| Per-capita income | $38,791 |
| Poverty rate | 7.0%+1.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% |
| Employment-to-population | 67.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Clay County is professional & business services, accounting for 30.6% of workers.
How residents commute
1.2%
Drive alone
3.5%
Carpool
75.2%
Public transit
11.0%
Work from home
19.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$256,000$-49,500 vs state
Median home value
$1,000
Median rent
66.6%
Homeownership rate
27,241
Total housing units
95.2%
Occupied
4.8%
Vacant
33.4%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
96.4%
With health insurance
94.1%
With broadband internet
54.2%
Foreign-born
5.4%
Veterans (18+)
12.2%
With a disability
92.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
95.0%
High School+
39.0%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Minnesota
Other counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Clay County, Minnesota has a population of 65,628 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 16th-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 63 people per square mile.
The population of Clay County has grown 13.0% since 2010 (59,144 → 66,848), a +0.88% annualized rate.
The median household income in Clay County, Minnesota is $77,664, with mean (average) household income of $96,841 and per-capita income of $38,791. 7.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Clay County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (86.3%), Black or African American (4.8%), Hispanic or Latino (2.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Clay County, Minnesota is 33.5 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.
The median home value in Clay County is $256,000 and median monthly rent is $1,000. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 27,241 total housing units, 4.8% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Clay County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 30.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.
Minneapolis is among the largest cities associated with Clay County, Minnesota, with a population of 426,845.
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Statewide data for Minnesota
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Minnesota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.