$267,441Average Value$127Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
East Grand Forks's community solidified after the flood
East Grand Forks is the smaller half of the Grand Cities, sitting opposite Grand Forks on the eastern side of the Red River. Surrounded by farmlands and offering minimal retail options, East Grand Forks feels more like a small town than a northwestern Minnesota city. In 1997, the Red River flooded, impacting almost every home in East Grand Forks. Still, the city came together, fostering a community-oriented spirit. “Everybody got flooded, so we were all in the same boat, and everybody was helping everybody clean out basements,” says Realtor Rhonda Vanatta with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Family Realty. While the Grand Cities put measures in place to prevent floods from happening again, the tight-knit feel still lingers in East Grand Forks’ 9,000 residents, from supporting local restaurants to seeing neighbors walking along the pathways established after the flood.
East Grand Forks was established in 1887 and names for it's neighbor to the west, Grand Forks.
East Grand Forks, Minnesota is home to just under 10,000 residents.
1/2
The Greenway built after the flood and playgrounds designed to look like castles
After the ’97 flood, the Grand Cities built flood-prevention systems along the river, like dikes, to manage rising waters. The cities also took this as an opportunity to transform the riverside into a recreational space. Today, the Greater Grand Forks Greenway offers more than 2,200 acres of parks and campgrounds and 20 miles of multi-purpose trails. “The Greenway is always very busy,” Vanatta says. “It’s just a way for people to get out and about — walking dogs and bike riding.” Just a bit east of the Greenway, Sherlock Park has two important city amenities — the playground and the pool. While not the only playground in the city, the wooden playground here is designed and painted to look like a castle, complete with a dragon rising from the surfacing. The East Grand Forks Swimming Pool is open throughout the summer. Nestled between Sherlock Park and the Greenway, Red River State Recreational Area offers camping and boating opportunities. Many people take watercraft out onto the river, especially if they want to catch some catfish.
Greater Forks Greenway was established after the Red River flooded in 1997.
Sherlock Park offers a large playground and walking trails to enjoy year round.
1/2
Snowy, cold winters in East Grand Forks
Since putting in preventative measures along the river, the city reports that no residents live within a flood zone anymore. “The river still gets high if we have a lot of snow,” Vanatta says. “We have the dike, and they put up floodwalls, so we all go about business like nothing’s happening.” East Grand Forks has intense winters marked by low temperatures and plenty of snowfall. “It’s really nice until it’s 40 below,” Vanatta says. “The temperature’s probably around 10, but we have wind chills.” Still, residents make it work, participating in winter recreational activities, from hockey to cross-country skiing. “There are snowmobile paths on the greenway inside the dike,” Vanatta says. “There’s sledding, but not so much by the river.”
Greater Forks Greenway offers walking trails along the Red River.
The Red River separates East Grand Forks and Grand Forks.
1/2
Cape Cods, split-levels and ranch-style homes around East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks’s median housing price is about $300,000, lower than the national median but higher than Grand Forks’s. Farmhouses sit closer to the center of town, while Cape Cods, split-levels and ranch-style homes fan out around the rest of the city.
Property crime rates in East Grand Forks have steadily decreased since 2015, reaching a new low in 2023. Meanwhile, violent crime rates have fluctuated up and down over the past ten years but have been decreasing since 2022.
Two story homes are common in established areas of East Grand Forks.
Ranch style homes are very popular in the East Grand Forks area.
1/2
A smaller school district supported by local nonprofits
Students here attend East Grand Forks Public Schools, which earns a B from Niche. “It’s a smaller school system, so the kids get more attention,” Vanatta says. A local nonprofit recently distributed about $27,000 to teachers across the district to build specific programs, from literacy to social skills. The city is also home to Northland Community and Technical College, an important two-year institution and a major employer for the city. It serves about 3,200 students and offers programs in accounting, agriculture, marketing, manufacturing and liberal arts.
East Grand Forks High School serves kids in grades 9 through 12.
Northland Community and Technical College offers two-year degrees in East Grand Forks.
1/2
Locally owned businesses and restaurants along Demers Avenue
Downtown East Grand Forks sits along Demers Avenue, with the bridge over the river on one side and city hall’s dome looming on the other side. Young trees and flower planters line the sidewalks, adding color to the brick facades. Residents can stop in the mix of coffee shops and cafes and pubs and bars. Vanatta assures that a fan-favorite is Blue Moose Bar and Grill, which has a wood cabin atmosphere. “Blue Moose sells alcohol so that always draws them all in,” Vanatta laughs. Hugo’s Family Marketplace is the only grocery store on this side of the Red River. Grand Forks offers more supermarkets, including Target, Aldi and Walmart along 32nd Avenue.
Hugo's is where many East Grand Forks residents do their weekly shop.
The Blue Moose Bar and Grill offers a cabin like atmosphere for casual dining.
1/2
Biking or driving through East Grand Forks
Buses run throughout the city and along major thoroughfares, though Grand Forks Bike Share stations around the city encourage people to bike to where they need to go. The bridges across Demers Avenue and Gateway Drive connect East Grand Forks with its counterpart across the Minnesota-North Dakota border. Gateway Drive eventually becomes U.S. Route 2 and connects people in both Grand Cities to Grand Forks International Airport, about 9 miles from East Grand Forks.
Catfish tournaments on the Red River every July
For almost 40 years, Grand Cities residents have headed onto the river for the CATS Incredible Tournament, a catfish fishing tournament held on the last weekend of July. First-place winners can potentially earn $10,000 for their catches, so it is competitive. In August, the college hosts Heritage Days, offering a parade, a classic car show, a tractor pull and live music.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Rowell
Video By
Maurice Boone
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kimberly Efta,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in East Grand Forks, MN sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in East Grand Forks, MN over the last 12 months is $232,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Enjoy the serenity of rural living with the convenience of paved roads, just minutes from East Grand Forks, MN! This picturesque 5 acre property offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and rural tranquility. Boasting amenities such as real hardwood floors, large open kitchen w/ granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and a large upstairs living room for entertaining or relaxing. The
Charming 3-Bedroom Home with Modern Updates! Don't miss this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home packed with charm and upgrades! Enjoy hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas, a spacious dining room perfect for gatherings, and a beautiful 4-season porch ideal for year-round relaxation. The heated and insulated two-stall garage adds comfort and convenience, while the large...
Heritage Highlands Apartments is a 26 unit apartment community with efficiency, 1 & 2 bedroom units. Cold water, hot water, sewer and hot water boiler heat included in rent.Security deposit equal to one month's rent.Dishwasher, Refrigerator & StoveAir ConditionerNo Pets AllowedPlayground Area & Exercise RoomDetached Garage included in rentWindow Treatments:
This apartment is in the heart of it all in downtown Grand Forks. One of the oldest historical buildings in town, close to unique bars, restaurants, shopping, along with entertainment - right across the street is Grand Forks Town Square where you will find a free public ice skating rink in the winter and live music, events and the weekly Farmers' Market in the summer. Only 5 minute drive to UND
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.
