Clay County
MN · Pop. 65,628 · Suburban County
Clay County, Minnesota covers 1,045 square miles with a population of 65,628 and a density of 62.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $256,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F and average winter lows of 3.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 25 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford is 13.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Sanford, is 13.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Clay County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 23/100
- Median home price
- $256k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 25"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford, 13.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F, and average winter lows of 3.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $256,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford is 13.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Clay County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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