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Barnesville

Barnesville

Located in Clay County

$256,714 Average Value
$179 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Barnesville offers self-sufficient, small-town life near Fargo-Moorhead

Surrounded by Red River Valley farmland, Barnesville is a rural city less than 30 minutes from the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. While the community’s location makes it an advantageous spot for commuters wanting a slower pace of life, it's much more than a bedroom community. “Over the last 10 years, the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area has grown significantly, and more families have wanted to escape how that area has been changing,” says Karen Lauer, executive director of the city’s Economic Development Authority. “They’ve had a renewed focus on quality of life.” The city is self-sufficient, from locally run utility services to renovated schools and small businesses. Multi-faceted recreation areas keep people active, and events of all sizes bring newcomers, longtime neighbors and visitors together throughout the year.

Neighborhoods have tree-lined roads and new construction tax rebates

Throughout the community, rows of lush, large-bowed trees shade neatly trimmed lawns, sidewalks and wide roads. Home designs range from small bungalows and ranch-style homes to American Foursquares, new traditional houses and custom construction. Prices typically fall between $135,000 and $560,000, making the city’s median price about $250,000. In the Del Acres Gilbertson 3rd Addition, the community’s newest subdivision, lots start at $12,000, while move-in-ready ranch-style and split-level homes start around $330,000.

Any new home built in Barnesville before the end of 2026 is eligible for a two-year property tax rebate. “It’s through our relationship with Clay County that we’re able to offer this tax incentive,” Lauer says. “In 2026, we will advocate that Clay County extend it another two years, as they have in the past.” A utility credit is also available to people who build new homes or purchase existing ones.

Education is a focus in Barnesville

Lauer says Barnesville’s school system attracts young families. Kids begin their education at Atkinson Elementary School, which has a B-plus Niche score. The B-rated Barnesville High School serves seventh through 12th-grade students and offers career courses in agribusiness, construction and manufacturing.

Easy commutes and fast internet make working from anywhere possible

State Route 9 is Barnesville’s main thoroughfare. It connects to Highway 52 and Interstate 94, which reach the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area within 30 minutes. These highways also lead to other big cities, like Detroit Lakes and Wahpeton, North Dakota, in roughly the same amount of time. Lauer says many people commute into Fargo-Moorhead for work, but Barnesville also supports a large population of remote workers. The city offers high-speed internet services, and Lauer says the connection speeds are faster and more dependable than some places in Fargo-Morehead. The nearest commercial airport and emergency hospital are in Fargo, although Barnesville does have a Lake Region Healthcare clinic.

Campgrounds and community parks make the outdoors accessible

Barnesville has 13 community parks with playgrounds and athletic facilities. Blue Eagle Park is a year-round favorite, offering a swimming beach and fishing pier in summer and a sledding hill and ice rink in the winter. In 2025, the park will host the second annual Blue Eagle Market. People can enjoy live music and artisan vendors every third Saturday from May to October. Campers at Wagner Park Campground nearby can easily walk from their tents and RVs to Blue Eagle Park. McGrath Park offers a disc golf course and a seasonal splash park, while Harry Holland Memorial Park has a few ramps for skaters to practice on.

Potato Days and other festivals bring thousands to Barnesville

Since 1914, the city has hosted the Clay County Fair, which features a demolition derby, rodeos and a lively carnival. The community is even more well-known for the Potato Days Festival in August, which welcomes over 20,000 people from around the country. Attendees snack on potato pancakes while watching mashed potato wrestling, potato car races and the Potato Days parade. More locally focused events include Miracle on Front Street, a Christmas celebration featuring a downtown tree lighting, horse-drawn wagon rides and bonfires for roasting s’mores. “We call it our Hallmark movie night,” says Bailey Thompson, the city’s Main Street director. “It’s just kind of picture-perfect.” Kids take photos with Santa and watch Christmas movies while businesses stay open late. During summer, neighbors connect at the Summer Solstice Block Party and the Annual Barnesville Community Picnic.

Incentives help small businesses thrive in the city center

Front Street is the city’s commercial hub. Many of Barnesville’s businesses are locally owned, and a business incentive program supports entrepreneurs who open new stores or expand their services within the city. Barnesville Grocery is the community’s only supermarket, and Barnesville Drug & Hardware doubles as a pharmacy and supply store. Other small shops include 2nd Times A Charm, a second-hand clothing store, and Fill Thy Cup café. Purple Goose Eatery & Drinkery offers traditional American fare, while Ratzo’s Pool Hall is a favorite for drinks and a round of pool.

Isabel Butler
Written By
Isabel Butler

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Barnesville Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$399,900
Median Sale Price
$332,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$399,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
18
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-50%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$179

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
620
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1972
Months of Supply
4.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,088
Above the national average
1,927
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Barnesville Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,742
Median Age
39
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$69,802
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$96,429

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.5%
College Graduates
27.8%
Advanced Degrees
5.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
79.9%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
1°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
31''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

45 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

39 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Barnesville
Tyler Bretz
Raboin Realty
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