Horace is a quiet community growing beyond its small-town roots
Once a tiny bedroom community on the periphery of Fargo's city limits, Horace is attracting new residents at an impressive speed. "Horace is located right on the edge of West Fargo, so it has that rural feel but with city access. You can do the shopping run and then take your dogs for a walk in the countryside later," says Jenny Schuster, a local agent with Park Co., Realtors who's been selling homes for over 27 years. She points out that Horace is growing in its own right, attracting new residential development and working to expand community amenities. "What we are seeing is thoughtful growth of a community. You're still outside the hustle and bustle, but I think they're trying to make it so locals can have everything they want in Horace."
New subdivisions offer a mix of starter and luxury homes
The housing market is moving quickly in Horace, with new subdivisions taking shape across the community. New Traditional homes and custom builds are set along cul-de-sacs or quiet roads, concentrated on Horace's outskirts. "In terms of new construction, you can find anything from starter homes in the upper $200,000 range to higher-end properties over $1 million," Schuster says. "There are existing older homes that might offer more affordability." Midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes are most common in the community's center. The median sales price for single-family homes is about $340,000, compared to Fargo's median price of $440,000. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Middle and high schoolers explore career pathways in class
Horace Public Schools is part of the larger West Fargo School District. While North Dakota offers limited school choice, parents can apply for a school outside their assigned zone, as long as it's interdistrict. While there are a few elementary schools that local kids might attend, many children will start at Legacy Elementary School, which gets an A-minus from Niche. Students can move on to B-rated Heritage Middle and Horace High. The district uses a career and technical education model in its curriculum, so all middle and high school students have access to learning opportunities in different career fields.
Plenty of room to play in the community's green spaces
The Horace Parks and Recreation Department oversees nine parks throughout the community. "With each new development, builders are required to put in green space, so more parks are coming into play," Schuster says. "High school sports are big here also, but since the schools aren't so big, it gives kids more opportunity to participate." Freed Park, located at the center of the community, features a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a skate park and a baseball field.
Steady business growth and nearby big-box shopping
While Horace might not have bustling shopping plazas or a huge dining scene, its growth in attracting businesses has been slow but steady. “They have a small, quaint Main Street, with restaurants and bars and small businesses. But the continued growth has added even many more amenities in town,” Schuster says, noting coffee shops, hair salons and more. Popular local eats include the burgers and beer at Big Erv's Bar & Grill and the carne asada from Taco Revolution. Horace is only 6 miles from Fargo’s south side, which has big-box stores, national retailers and grocers.
Community festivals and holiday events bring neighbors together
Throughout the year, the city of Horace puts on several events for its residents. "A lot of the events blend together between communities," Schuster says. "But Horace is very community-oriented, so they have their own annual holiday events and a big festival in September." Bean Days, which is put on annually during the first weekend in September, features a parade down Main Street, food trucks and live music.
Horace’s location offers convenience for travel and health care
Horace's main road, 170th Avenue SE, runs north-south through the area. Ramps to Interstate 29 are just east of Horace, and locals can take either route to drive the 15 miles into the heart of Fargo. The closest hospital, Sanford Medical Center, is 7 miles north in southwest Fargo, about a 15-minute drive.
