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County in Minnesota

Clay County, Minnesota

Clay County, in Minnesota, has 66,059 residents: No. 16 of 87 by population. Clay County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $265,500. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,104 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $21.23 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $265,500

    −19% vs. Minnesota −20% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Clay
    • Minnesota
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,104 a month

    −27% vs. Minnesota −37% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Clay
    • Minnesota
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Clay
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    1.13% of value per year

    +11% vs. Minnesota +20% vs. U.S.

    $3,013 a year for the typical owner

    • Clay
    • Minnesota
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$303,991
2.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,070 a month
2.6% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Clay County today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $2,244, that is, 33% of the typical household income in Clay County. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $96,175 a year; the typical income here is $81,172. Homes here are worth 19% less than the average across Minnesota. Here 66% of households live in a home they own; across Minnesota it is 72%.

Renting is a stretch: 53% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Only here

What sets Clay County apart

  1. Clay County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,019, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Becker County ($920).

  2. Among the neighboring counties, Norman County has the lowest typical home value ($147,100), 45% below the $265,500 in Clay County.

  3. At 66%, Clay County ranks 5th among the 87 counties in Minnesota for the lowest homeownership rate.

  4. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in Clay County rose 36% on FHFA's index, about the same as in Minnesota (37%).

  5. Clay County has the 8th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 87 counties in Minnesota (53%).

  6. Clay County has the 9th highest effective property tax rate of the 87 counties in Minnesota (1.13%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data).

The homes here

Housing in Clay County

What homes there are in Clay County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Clay County, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Minnesota, 7.

Year built

By age, homes in Clay County look like those in Minnesota: the typical year built is 1981.

By size, homes in Clay County look like those in Minnesota: 62% have 3 bedrooms or more.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 92% of owner-occupied homes in Clay County are worth less than the FHA loan limit for this county ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for this county is $1,104: about 56% of rents in Clay County are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,827 a month

Minnesota: $1,947 a month

Without a mortgage

$677 a month

Minnesota: $698 a month

Owners with a mortgage

65%

Minnesota: 64%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Clay County is $1,827 a month, less than in Minnesota ($1,947); without one, $677.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Clay County rose 35% since 2015–2019, less than in Minnesota (47%).

The typical rent in Clay County rose 18% over the same time; in Minnesota, it rose 31%.

To compare: typical income in Clay County rose 24%; the home, +35%; the rent, +18%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureClay CountyMinnesotaUnited States
Rental vacancy 5.2%5.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.6%2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.382.432.53
Drive alone 75%69%69%
Carpool 7%8%9%
Public transit 2%2%3%
Walk or bike 4%3%3%
Work from home 12%18%15%
Other means 1%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Minnesota, the rental vacancy rate in Clay County is 5.2%.

Much as in Minnesota, 1.6% of households in Clay County have more than one person per room.

Much as in Minnesota, a household in Clay County has 2.38 people on average.

The car rules in Clay County: 75% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Clay County?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home of $265,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 33% of the typical household income here, which is $81,172 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $96,175 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Clay County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $9,293 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,244

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$260,691
Total interest
$375,073
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,484 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,894 a month

  • Tight

    $1,894 to $2,435 a month

    Your payment · 33%

  • Hard

    more than $2,435 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Clay County ($81,172 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,244
Principal & interest$1,766
Property tax$250
Home insurance$111
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$117

You need at least $9,293 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Clay County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Clay County compares with Minnesota and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Clay County rose 57% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Minnesota United States
In 2025 +4.8% +2.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +36% +37% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +57% +71% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Clay County compared with Minnesota and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Clay $265,500
  • Minnesota $329,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Clay $1,019
  • Minnesota $1,280
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Clay $81,172
  • Minnesota $89,062
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Clay compared with Minnesota and the United States
MeasureHereMinnesotaU.S.
Residents66,0595,739,445334,922,499
Typical home value$265,500$329,300$332,700
Typical household income$81,172$89,062$80,734
Typical rent$1,019$1,280$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,104$1,507$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$21.23$28.98$33.65
Typical property tax$3,013$3,357$3,119
Effective tax rate1.13%1.02%0.94%
Households that own their home66%72%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent53%48%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: Minnesota shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Clay County

For a typical $265,500 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $2,244 $9,293 $260,691 7.18% FHA MIP · $117 $17,258 580
Conventional, 5% down $2,195 $13,275 $252,225 7.18% PMI · $126 $21,240 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,800 $53,100 $212,400 7.18% None $61,065 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,045 $39,825 $225,675 8.18% None $47,790 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in Clay County use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Clay County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Clay County, the typical owner pays $3,013 a year: about 1.13% of the home's value. That is more than the rest of Minnesota and more than the national average.

  • Clay 1.13%
  • Minnesota 1.02%
  • United States 0.94%

What Minnesota publishes Homestead market value exclusion (Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes (Minnesota Statutes))

Exemptions and deadlines in Minnesota

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Clay County 3.3% of homes (796) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 10% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Clay County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Clay County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

According to FEMA, the natural hazard risk in Clay County is relatively low.

To rate it, FEMA weighs the expected loss with social vulnerability and community resilience.

The loss FEMA expects each year in Clay County from all natural hazards is $42 million, counting buildings, people and crops.

The hazard that would do the most damage to homes and buildings here is inland flooding: about $27.9 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively moderate $27.9 million a year
  2. TornadoRelatively low $2.1 million a year
  3. Winter weatherRelatively high $707,392 a year
  4. WildfireRelatively low $153,193 a year
  5. EarthquakeVery low $15,710 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts Clay County in zone 6A: cold.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal air leaks and add insulation in the attic: ENERGY STAR says it lowers the chance of ice dams on the roof in snowy climates. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Put clear plastic film over the windows: it is inexpensive, cuts drafts, helps the house feel warmer in winter and reduces moisture on the glass. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$36.99$22.50 and $48.23
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$30.46$21.86 and $39.82
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$36.50$22.33 and $46.13
Roofers$29.62$22.13 and $36.76
Carpenters$28.34$21.41 and $36.97
Painters, construction and maintenance$25.43$18.14 and $37.95
Maintenance and repair workers, general$25.02$17.98 and $32.19

In the Fargo, ND-MN area, half of electricians earn more than $36.99 an hour and half earn less; for a plumber, the typical figure is $30.46.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Clay County

The typical rent in Clay County is $1,019 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

53% of renter households in Clay County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 30% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $781 $15.02 $31,240
1 bedroom $903 $17.37 $36,120
2 bedrooms $1,104 $21.23 $44,160
3 bedrooms $1,529 $29.40 $61,160
4 bedrooms $1,845 $35.48 $73,800

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in Clay County

Programs and counseling in Clay County

We didn't find HUD-approved agencies with an office in this county. This is the nearest one; many serve by phone or online.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

Two parents walk hand in hand with their little daughter.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Minnesota down payment programs

  1. Deferred Payment Loan (Start Up)

    Minnesota state agency loan for the down payment and closing costs alongside the Start Up mortgage for first-time buyers: up to $14,000 (or $18,000 in the Plus version), with no interest or monthly payments, repaid at the end of the mortgage

    First-time buyers only. Run by Minnesota Housing (Minnesota Housing Finance Agency).

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  2. Monthly Payment Loan

    Minnesota Housing loan of up to $14,000 for the down payment and closing costs, which you repay over 15 years at the same rate as your Minnesota Housing mortgage; it works with Start Up (first-time buyers) or Step Up

    No first-time requirement. Run by Minnesota Housing (Minnesota Housing Finance Agency).

    Repayable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Minnesota programs

Help in Spanish in Clay County

None of the 1 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These are the nearest agencies, with the distance in miles. Many help by phone or online. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • White Earth Investment Initiative

    103 Graystone Plz, Detroit Lakes · 31 miles away

    • Home improvement and repairs
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 2 more
    (218) 844-7029
See every agency in Minnesota

Places

Cities in Clay County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Clay County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Clay County in 2026?

Clay County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in Clay County?

Clay County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Clay County?

The typical home value in Clay County is $265,500 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Minnesota it's $329,300.

How much does it cost to rent in Clay County?

Clay County has a typical rent of $1,019 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,104 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Clay County?

About $21.23 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $44,160 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,104 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).