Population 8,616 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clearwater County
Household size in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.29 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.58 people per household, Clearwater County sits close to the national average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.29, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.3 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.4 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.8 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.3 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.1 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Clearwater County is 42.3 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Clearwater County: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Clearwater County
Renters in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 19.9% of households in Clearwater County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 50.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the northeast. The renter share has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.5% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.6% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.8% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 22.8% of the housing in Clearwater County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 4.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Clearwater County was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $493 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $530 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $734 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $721 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$228 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Clearwater County runs $721 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $228 a month from 2006–10, a 46% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.4% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Clearwater County
Bachelor's degrees in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Clearwater County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 20.0%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.2 points, as it has nationally. Clearwater County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Minnesota counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.8% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.1% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.4% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Clearwater County have finished high school as nationally: 88.4%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Minnesota as a whole (93.7%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Clearwater County
| Period | Clearwater County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Clearwater County runs well above the national rate: 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Minnesota county has higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Clearwater County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater County | 2.58 | 42.3 | 8.5% | 19.9% | 22.8% | 1981 | $721 | 20.0% | 88.4% | 7.6% |
| Beltrami County | 2.53 | 37.1 | 14.6% | 29.9% | 15.3% | 1986 | $1,028 | 30.7% | 92.2% | 4.6% |
| Mahnomen County | 2.81 | 35.3 | 20.5% | 26.7% | 22.1% | 1974 | $691 | 16.1% | 88.3% | 9.6% |
| Hubbard County | 2.44 | 48.3 | 7.1% | 16.9% | 33.2% | 1986 | $963 | 30.5% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
| Red Lake County | 2.33 | 43.5 | 7.9% | 16.6% | 10.9% | 1969 | $543 | 18.7% | 95.2% | 1.1% |
| Norman County | 2.33 | 44.0 | 10.5% | 20.6% | 15.7% | 1959 | $771 | 23.0% | 93.7% | 5.2% |
| Polk County | 2.41 | 39.9 | 8.0% | 28.7% | 14.0% | 1970 | $982 | 27.6% | 93.6% | 3.8% |
| Grand Forks County | 2.27 | 33.7 | 7.7% | 48.2% | 8.4% | 1982 | $1,085 | 39.3% | 96.0% | 2.2% |
| Traill County | 2.30 | 41.4 | 9.0% | 25.7% | 8.1% | 1964 | $897 | 31.0% | 94.6% | 2.3% |
| Itasca County | 2.40 | 47.9 | 8.0% | 17.0% | 22.8% | 1978 | $1,007 | 26.0% | 95.0% | 5.6% |
| Steele County | 2.24 | 46.2 | 5.0% | 22.2% | 26.9% | 1967 | $763 | 28.8% | 95.3% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Sheridan County, MT · Glascock County, GA · Sitka City and Borough, AK · Sioux County, NE · Golden Valley County, MT · Golden Valley County, ND · Gooding County, ID · Sibley County, MN · Sherman County, TX · Sheridan County, ND
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Clearwater County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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