Lincoln offers quiet suburbs near Bismarck's jobs and shops
Lincoln is a small yet core city in the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area. It's primarily a suburb of Bismarck, attracting people who want to work within the state capital but live outside it. Residential areas offer tranquil atmospheres and first-time buyer-friendly prices. A few parks offer recreation within the city, and the community’s elementary school actively hosts events. While commercial development is limited, ample retail and restaurant options are a few miles away in downtown Bismarck.
Subdivisions have starter-home prices and developing construction
Neighborhoods make up most of Lincoln. Spacious grass lawns and two-car driveways line ultra-wide roads. Mature trees, freshly planted saplings, decorative bushes and basketball hoops add variety to front yards. “It’s a great place to purchase your first home,” says Justin Sackman, business development manager and broker associate with Bianca Realty. “The taxes are also a little bit cheaper than Bismarck, and there’s still availability for rural development loans.” The city’s median price is around $330,000, less than the national median of about $420,000. Split-level, ranch-style and New Traditional houses are common, but Lincoln also has a manufactured home subdivision. Contemporary new construction is also on the rise. The city has projected a need for 89 new single-family homes by 2030. Most properties will cost between $225,000 and $450,000, aligning with the community’s current price range.
Lincoln has an elementary school, while other schools are in Bismarck
Students attend Lincoln Elementary School, the only school within the city. The elementary school hosts several events, from fundraisers and movie nights to an annual carnival. “The town is getting big enough now that not everyone knows each other, but the school has that connection that brings people together,” says Sackman, who grew up in Lincoln. Older students head into Bismarck to attend Wachter Middle School and Bismarck High School. The elementary and high schools have B-plus Niche ratings, while the middle school has a B-minus. The city is also 4 miles from United Tribes Technical College.
Recreational spaces offer everything from disc golf to batting cages
Lincoln Park is the community’s primary destination for outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy traditional amenities, like a playground, basketball courts and a softball diamond. The park also has a BMX course. Although the name is similar, Lincoln Dog Park is across the city and only has a large fenced-in area for pets to play in. Millennium Park is the city’s newest green space with a paved walking path, a nine-hole disc golf course and a gazebo. Indoor recreational options include the batting cages at MLD Sluggers and Lincoln Fitness, a workout center open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lincoln has a few small businesses, with downtown options nearby
While the community has a few industrial districts, commercial options are limited. Crystal’s Bar and Gaming is a happy hour favorite among locals, and Dakota Cat Café has become the go-to for a cup of coffee. Tumbleweed Bar & Steak House serves hearty fare, from surf and turf dishes to rib specials. John’s Food Center is the city’s only grocery store. Expanded retail options are about 7 miles away in downtown Bismarck. Options range from locally owned boutiques and taverns to nationally recognized brands inside Kirkwood Mall.
Main roads connect locals to Bismarck's jobs and services
Lincoln Road and 66th Street SE create the city’s central intersection. Lincoln Road leads directly into Bismarck, where most people commute for work. “It is a state capital, so there are a lot of government jobs, but also farming and industries like the Bobcat manufacturing plant,” Sackman says. The city also has several hospitals, like Sanford Medical Center, and the Bismarck Municipal Airport. The airport is about 5 miles west of Lincoln, making flights convenient while preventing noise pollution. “You don’t see planes too often right over you,” Sackman says.
