Clay County Crime & Safety

Clay County, Minnesota

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2364.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

306.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2058.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

State avg 58/100

State Safety Rank

#82

of 87 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Clay County, Minnesota

Clay County Safety in National Context

Clay County reports a total crime rate of 2364.2 per 100K, which is slightly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This activity level results in a safety score of 96.3 out of 100.

Higher Activity Levels Than State Average

Clay County’s safety score of 96.3 is lower than the Minnesota state average of 98.2. The total crime rate of 2364.2 per 100K is more than double the statewide average of 1123.5.

Regional Hub Safety Comparison

Due to its proximity to the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, Clay County experiences higher crime rates than its rural neighbors. The 2364.2 rate reflects the urban dynamics of the county's major population centers.

Property Crime Focus in Moorhead Area

Property crime is the primary concern, with 2058.0 incidents per 100K residents compared to 306.2 for violent crime. While property crime is high for Minnesota, the violent crime rate stays below the national average.

Advancing Your Home Security

With property crime rates exceeding 2,000 per 100K, advanced security systems are a wise investment. Using alarm systems and smart monitoring helps protect residents in this active regional hub.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Clay County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Clay County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Clay County, MN?

Clay County has a total crime rate of 2364.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (306.2 per 100K) and property crimes (2058.0 per 100K).

Is Clay County, MN safe?

Clay County has a safety score of 15/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #82 out of 87 counties in Minnesota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Clay County crime compare to the Minnesota average?

Clay County’s safety score of 96.3 is lower than the Minnesota state average of 98.2. The total crime rate of 2364.2 per 100K is more than double the statewide average of 1123.5.

What types of crime are most common in Clay County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Clay County?

Crime data for Clay County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Clay County?

Clay County has a safety score of 15/100, which is below the Minnesota average of 58/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.