Fargo, ND-MN Metro Area

Fargo, ND-MN · Metro Area

259,459Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties, part of the Fargo-Wahpeton, ND-MN combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $76,756
Median home value: $289,100
Land area: 2,812 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Cass County, ND	Central	193,400	$75,555	$298,000
Clay County, MN	Central	66,059	$81,172	$265,500

Largest cities and towns

121 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Fargo, ND	City	131,627	$66,998
Moorhead, MN	City	45,036	$72,761
West Fargo, ND	City	40,094	$90,665
Dilworth, MN	City	4,713	$90,694
Horace, ND	City	4,588	$138,578
Casselton, ND	City	2,953	$73,259
Barnesville, MN	City	2,762	$97,917
Hawley, MN	City	2,178	$99,188
Mapleton, ND	City	1,352	$119,432
Glyndon, MN	City	1,098	$95,313
Reile's Acres, ND	City	1,032	$192,500
Reed, ND	—	1,009	$130,938
Kindred, ND	City	996	$105,104
Harwood, ND	City	819	$145,139
Sabin, MN	City	718	$128,500
Eglon, MN	—	698	$138,750
Hawley (Township), MN	—	636	$116,607
Argusville, ND	City	584	$162,734
Riverton, MN	—	530	$107,656
Parke, MN	—	519	$101,250
Oxbow, ND	City	491	$210,417
Normanna, ND	—	490	$89,519
Glyndon (Township), MN	—	475	$110,000
Pleasant, ND	—	452	$133,714
Oakport, MN	—	448	$114,519

Also in the Fargo-Wahpeton, ND-MN combined area

Wahpeton, ND-MN · micro · 22,955

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Unemployment

3.3%

College Educated

41.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$76,756

Mean Household Income

$102,833

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.5%

Female

49.5%

Population Split

Male50.5%

Female49.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German33.7%

Irish7.3%

English5.3%

African3.9%

French3.0%

Mexican2.8%

Polish2.1%

Italian1.5%

Scottish1.1%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.8%Foreign Born

93.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized44.2%

Non-Citizen55.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later59.7%

Before 201040.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

116,597

Median Rent

$967/mo

Median Home Value

$289,100

Median Year Built

1991

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

72,559

College Enrollment

30.2%

High School

17.0%

College Educated

41.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

17.7 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.4%

Public Transit

0.8%

Work From Home

10.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.8%

18-34 Years

30.1%

35-64 Years

33.8%

65+ Years

13.3%

Population Composition

Under 1822.8%

18-3430.1%

35-6433.8%

65+13.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

42.8%

Single Parent

5.0%

Living Alone

35.4%

Avg Size

2.26

Household Types

Married Couples42.8%

Single Parent5.0%

Living Alone35.4%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$44,190

SNAP Usage

7.1%

Health Insurance

94.9%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k14.4%

$25k - $50k18.3%

$50k - $100k29.9%

$100k+37.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

8.6%

Retail Trade

11.0%

Education & Health Care

27.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.9%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

89.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

90.9

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

152.3

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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