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Clay County, Minnesota facts for kids

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Clay County
U.S. county
Clay County Courthouse
Clay County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Clay County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Minnesota
Founded March 8, 1862 (created)
1872 (organized)
Named for Henry Clay
Seat Moorhead
Largest city Moorhead
Area
 • Total 1,053 sq mi (2,730 km2)
 • Land 1,045 sq mi (2,710 km2)
 • Water 7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 65,318
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 66,258 Increase
 • Density 62.030/sq mi (23.950/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Clay County is a county in the state of Minnesota. It's like a big neighborhood or district. In 2020, about 65,318 people lived here. The main city and government center is Moorhead. Clay County is also part of a larger area called the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area, which includes parts of North Dakota.

History of Clay County

Clay County was first created in 1860. It was originally named Breckinridge County. This name honored John C. Breckinridge, who was the Vice President of the United States.

However, when the Civil War began, John C. Breckinridge joined the Confederate Army. So, in March 1862, the state government changed the county's name. They renamed it after Henry Clay. Henry Clay (1777–1852) was a famous politician from Kentucky, just like Breckinridge.

Henry Clay was known as "The Great Pacificator" or "The Great Compromiser." He worked hard to prevent the Civil War from happening at least two times. The county's government officially started in 1872. This happened after the Northern Pacific Railway reached the area, bringing more people to settle there.

Geography of Clay County

Clay County is located on the western side of Minnesota. Its western edge touches the state of North Dakota. The Red River flows north along this western border. This river eventually reaches the Hudson Bay in Canada.

The Buffalo River flows through the middle of the county. It moves towards the west and northwest. The South Branch Buffalo River joins it west of Glyndon. Then, the Buffalo River flows into the Red River near Georgetown.

The land in Clay County has rolling hills. There are also many lakes and ponds in the eastern part. The land slopes down towards the west and north. The highest point is in the southeastern corner. It is about 1,430 feet (436 meters) above sea level. The county covers a total area of 1,053 square miles (2,727 square kilometers). Most of this, 1,045 square miles (2,707 square kilometers), is land. Only 7.3 square miles (19 square kilometers), or 0.7%, is covered by water.

Main Roads in Clay County

  • I-94
  • US 10
  • US 52
  • US 75
  • MN 9
  • MN 32
  • MN 34
  • MN 336

Public Transportation

  • MATBUS is a bus service that helps people get around.

Neighboring Counties

Nature Areas

These are special places in Clay County that protect nature and wildlife.

  • Aspen State Wildlife Management Area
  • Bjornson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Bluestone Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Clay County State Wildlife Management Area
  • Cromwell State Wildlife Management Area
  • Felton Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Goose Prairie State Wildlife Management Area
  • Gruhl State Wildlife Management Area
  • Hawley State Wildlife Management Area
  • Hay Creek State Wildlife Management Area
  • Highland State Wildlife Management Area
  • Hitterdal State Wildlife Management Area
  • Jeral State Wildlife Management Area
  • Magnusson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Skree State Wildlife Management Area
  • Ulen State Wildlife Management Area
  • Ulen Wildlife Refuge

Climate and Weather

Weather chart for Moorhead, Minnesota
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
0.7
 
18
0
 
 
0.6
 
24
6
 
 
1.3
 
36
19
 
 
1.4
 
56
33
 
 
2.8
 
69
45
 
 
3.9
 
77
55
 
 
2.8
 
82
60
 
 
2.6
 
81
57
 
 
2.6
 
71
47
 
 
2.2
 
56
35
 
 
1
 
37
20
 
 
0.8
 
22
6
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
18
 
-8
-18
 
 
16
 
-4
-14
 
 
33
 
2
-7
 
 
35
 
13
1
 
 
71
 
21
7
 
 
99
 
25
13
 
 
71
 
28
16
 
 
65
 
27
14
 
 
65
 
22
8
 
 
55
 
13
2
 
 
25
 
3
-7
 
 
21
 
-6
-14
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm

In Moorhead, the main city, temperatures change a lot throughout the year. In January, the average low temperature is 0°F (about -18°C). In July, the average high temperature is 82°F (about 28°C).

The coldest temperature ever recorded was -48°F (-44°C) in January 1887. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 114°F (46°C) in July 1936. This was also the highest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota's history!

The amount of rain and snow also changes. February usually gets the least, about 0.64 inches (1.6 cm). June usually gets the most, about 3.90 inches (9.9 cm).

Population Information

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 72 —
1870 92 27.8%
1880 5,887 6,298.9%
1890 11,517 95.6%
1900 17,942 55.8%
1910 19,640 9.5%
1920 21,780 10.9%
1930 23,120 6.2%
1940 25,337 9.6%
1950 30,363 19.8%
1960 39,080 28.7%
1970 46,585 19.2%
1980 49,327 5.9%
1990 50,422 2.2%
2000 51,229 1.6%
2010 58,999 15.2%
2020 65,318 10.7%
2023 (est.) 66,258 12.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

People in Clay County (2020)

This table shows the different groups of people living in Clay County based on the 2020 census.

Clay County Racial Composition
Group Number of People Percentage
White (not Hispanic) 54,424 83.32%
Black or African American (not Hispanic) 3,141 4.8%
Native American (not Hispanic) 1,032 1.6%
Asian (not Hispanic) 764 1.2%
Pacific Islander (not Hispanic) 16 0.02%
Other or Mixed Race (not Hispanic) 2,930 4.5%
Hispanic or Latino 3,011 4.61%

Communities in Clay County

Cities

Special Areas (Census-designated places)

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially cities.

Small Communities (Unincorporated)

These are smaller places that don't have their own local government.

Townships

Townships are smaller areas within a county, often including rural land and small communities.

  • Alliance Township
  • Barnesville Township
  • Cromwell Township
  • Eglon Township
  • Elkton Township
  • Elmwood Township
  • Felton Township
  • Flowing Township
  • Georgetown Township
  • Glyndon Township
  • Goose Prairie Township
  • Hagen Township
  • Hawley Township
  • Highland Grove Township
  • Holy Cross Township
  • Humboldt Township
  • Keene Township
  • Kragnes Township
  • Kurtz Township
  • Moland Township
  • Moorhead Township
  • Morken Township
  • Oakport Township
  • Parke Township
  • Riverton Township
  • Skree Township
  • Spring Prairie Township
  • Tansem Township
  • Ulen Township
  • Viding Township

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Clay (Minnesota) para niños

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