Fargo

Fargo, North Dakota Overview

Fargo scores 56.8/100 overall (B+), ranking #11 of 20 cities in North Dakota — below the state composite of 76.6. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 80/100, while Environment lags at 39/100.

Income & Employment in Fargo

Fargo’s median income of $61,422 is 15% below the state median, but positive population growth of 1.4% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%.

Safety in Fargo

With a violent crime rate of 522.8 per 100,000, Fargo exceeds the North Dakota average of 267. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 3926.5 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Fargo

With a cost of living index of 89.4, Fargo is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $269,800. Median monthly rent is $916. Renters spend 17.9% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Fargo

The adult obesity rate in Fargo is 34.3% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.1%. Residents average 14.5 poor mental health days per month. North Dakota ranks #18 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Fargo

Fargo has a high school graduation rate of 88.8%. The student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $17,107 per student, well above the national median. The city has 29 public schools serving 13,597 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Fargo

Winters in Fargo are cold, averaging 12.3°F. Summers average 72.6°F. Winters average 12.3°F. Annual precipitation is 36.2 inches. The average commute of 14.7 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions