Madison-Unicorn
Convenience to downtown, jobs and more
With Interstate 29 running along the western edge of the neighborhood and Main Avenue creating the southern border, Madison-Unicorn is easy to get around. While driving is the most common means of transportation, there are some public transit options, with MATBUS stops sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. The southeastern area near Unicorn Park is walkable, and it's also possible to bike to downtown, less than a mile away. However, potential residents should note that the area around Madison Elementary is separated from downtown by industrial parks, with only the occasional sidewalk and no bike lanes. Hector International Airport is only 3 miles north, usually a 10-minute drive or less. The nearest 24-hour emergency room, Essentia Health, is less than 5 miles south and is a drive of 15 minutes or less.
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Small homes and small lots on tree-lined streets
A mix of styles from across the eras is present in Madison-Unicorn, but homes dating back to pre-1957 are scarce due to the damage from that year's F5 tornado. Instead, the majority of properties here consist of ramblers built during the late 50s and early 60s. Homes are cozy, with many featuring footprints under 1,000 square feet. Low-slung bungalows with deep eaves are also popular, and generally sit on less than a fifth of an acre, with detached garages featuring space for a car and the necessary winter snow removal equipment. Tall elms and maples shade backyards, many of which are also fenced for privacy and keeping pets in. Most homes are located near the elementary school, meaning many neighborhood children walk to school together in the mornings. Twins and single-family detached homes can sell for between $100,000 and $275,000, although distressed properties can be found for as low as $70,000. The combination of small homes and lower prices in Madison-Unicorn means the average home value is about $100,000 below the Fargo average – making it a prime neighborhood for first-time buyers seeking a starter home.
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Top-rated Fargo schools
At the heart of the neighborhood and within walking distance for most students, Madison Elementary School receives a C-plus grade from Niche. Ben Franklin Middle School also gets a B-plus grade, while Fargo North High School earns an A-minus, thanks to high academic ratings. Niche also names it the second-best public high school in all of North Dakota and the best for STEM education in the state. The St John Paul II Catholic Schools offer a private education, with the nearest elementary school being Holy Spirit Elementary – students can then continue their Catholic education at Sacred Heart Middle School and Shanley High School on the southern end, which gets a B-plus grade. Oak Grove Lutheran Elementary School sits to the south, while the North Campus, which houses sixth through twelfth grades, is near the river north of downtown. Oak Grove and St John Paul combine with Park Christian and Grace Lutheran to form the Fargo Angels Hockey Club, with the Angel’s Arena located in Madison-Unicorn.
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In the halls of Brewhalla
In the neighborhood's southeastern corner, Drekker Brewing has quickly become one of the hottest spots in the city. They’re more than just beer, says Jenny Buhr, Realtor with Trilogy Real Estate and President of Doorsteps Midwest. “Drekker has this huge place, Brewhalla, they have local entrepreneurs selling things, artists, local stores and food there, events there all the time.” This includes a location for Thunder Coffee, Yeebo Sweet Shop, Luna Market Fargo and more – a one-stop shop for foodies. “Unglued is another standout with great stickers, local artist prints, home décor, and Minnesota/North Dakota clothing,” says Danni Melquist, Director of Marketing at Visit Fargo-Moorhead. “It’s a great spot to pick up a souvenir while in the area.” For groceries, Asian & American Market is the biggest international grocery store in the region, with goods from across the globe; Lotus Blossom and F-M International are two other spots to find international flavors a block west. West Acres Mall and the surrounding free-standing stores are roughly 3 miles away, home to national retailers, big box stores and franchise restaurants.
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Bringing the birds and bees back
Unicorn Park provides a mix of play areas and nature. A basketball court and a playground bring out neighborhood kids in the warm weather. At the same time, those looking for a relaxing stroll can walk the recreational trails through the restored prairie habitat. It’s part of Audubon Dakota’s Urban Woods & Prairie Initiative, which revitalizes lands to bring native flora and fauna back into the cities.
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A local church focuses on bringing the community together
The Neighborhood Church, formerly Golden Ridge Lutheran Church, hosts neighborhood activities, including picnics, a Trunk-or-Treat event in late October and Christmas events. Residents also head downtown for the Red River Market, bringing local vendors together on Saturdays from July through October for over a decade. The Red River Valley Fair brings national recording artists to town over ten days in the summer, with food, rides and games. The Downtown Fargo Street Fair closes the heart of downtown to allow residents to stroll around and browse the wares of local vendors and artisans, with local musicians providing the soundtrack.
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Notorious Fargo weather gets a break
Melquist acknowledges that people have a vision of Fargo and the notorious winters fit in with that vision. The city has made an effort to help people break the winter blues. She says, “Frostival brings the community together with outdoor and indoor activities over a 10-day span.” Events from cardboard sled races to snow volleyball and sculpture competitions help Fargoans keep their community spirit alive even in the darker months of late January and early February.
Written By
Andrew Tyson
Photography Contributed By
Samuel Evans
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Luke Haldis
LH
Luke Haldis
RE/MAX Legacy Realty
(218) 515-5499
31 Total Sales
3 in Madison-Unicorn
$130K - $250K Price Range
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Katie Johansen
Katie Johansen
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
(701) 760-4667
77 Total Sales
1 in Madison-Unicorn
$236,000 Price
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Derek Brandenburg
Derek Brandenburg
eXp Realty - Fargo 3247
(701) 354-4221
508 Total Sales
12 in Madison-Unicorn
$130K - $276K Price Range
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Tyler Bretz
Tyler Bretz
Raboin Realty
(218) 789-9005
138 Total Sales
1 in Madison-Unicorn
$260,000 Price
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Troy Krabbenhoft
Troy Krabbenhoft
Krabbenhoft Real Estate Team
(218) 304-3212
213 Total Sales
2 in Madison-Unicorn
$100K - $116K Price Range
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Beau Flom
Beau Flom
FpG Realty
(701) 515-0263
410 Total Sales
4 in Madison-Unicorn
$133K - $255K Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Unicorn Park
Madison Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Madison-Unicorn | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Madison-Unicorn Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Madison-Unicorn, Fargo sell after 110 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Madison-Unicorn, Fargo over the last 12 months is $259,999, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$307,225
Median Sale Price
$259,999
Median Single Family Sale Price
$259,999
Median Change From 1st List Price
15%
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$231
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
435
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1957
Months of Supply
1.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,476
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,618
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$965 - $1,480 per month
- Northtown Crossing
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 610+ Sq Ft
- 1195 35th St N
- Fargo, ND
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$622 - $1,170 per month
- The Edge Artist Flats
- 1-3 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 690+ Sq Ft
- 1321 5th Ave N
- Fargo, ND
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,594
Median Age
32
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,197
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,387
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.3%
College Graduates
17%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
24''
Average Winter Low Temperature
1°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
32
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
24
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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