The city of Minot rests where the Missouri Plateau meets the Drift Prairie, a rolling plain in the heart of North Dakota just 55 miles south of the Canadian border. As the fourth-largest city in the state and the Ward County seat, Minot has long been a trading center for its surrounding rural communities. In fact, the construction of the Great Northern Railway led to an extraordinary population surge in the late 19th century, earning Minot the nickname "Magic City."
Home to the Minot Air Force Base, the city today is more widely known for its military presence. "But the thing that everyone loves most about our town is the people," says Ashleigh Collins, an associate broker with Team 2 of Century 21 Morrison Realty. She notes that in the aftermath of the 2011 Souris River flood, many neighbors supported each other by taking in families whose homes were damaged during the crisis. "That shows you the kind of people that we have here."
Minot ND is home to the Minot Air Force Base.
Minot offers beautiful landscapes and unique attractions.
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Long-established neighborhoods & brand-new builds
The housing market in Minot comprises midcentury ranch-style homes, bilevels and brand-new builds with new traditional architecture. “There are plenty of established neighborhoods with established trees that are beautiful,” Collins says. “But we had a lot of homes built in 2012 after the flood. One of our newest developments is actually at the Minot Country Club.” Located 4 miles south of downtown, the country club is one of many modern subdivisions in Minot’s outskirts. Townhomes throughout the city offer attached, protruding garages, while condos sit closer to thoroughfares like Route 83. Altogether, the median price sits around $285,000.
“There’s usually more turnover on the north side because of the military base,” adds Nathan Stremick, a local Realtor with Signal Realty. “Military spouses or family members might work in town, so it’s a good halfway point. That’s the thing about Minot, it’s a small enough place that it doesn’t matter where you live, you can still get anywhere quick.”
Bi-level homes are often found throughout Minot.
Split level homes are common in the newer areas of Minot.
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Downtown Minot’s Prohibition Era roots
Restaurants and small businesses are the lifeblood of Downtown Minot, where many bars and pubs have roots dating back to the Prohibition Era. Earning the nickname “Little Chicago,” Minot was notorious for bootlegging by the late 1920s. Today, brunch spots like Charlie’s Main Street Café are staples on the strip, alongside shops selling antiques, vinyl records and other gifts. “Since 2020, the downtown area has really taken off,” Stremick says. “There’s a great local vibe down there. It’s also a hub for Canadians to come down and shop since we’re only an hour or so from the border.” Regional grocers and chain eateries line South Broadway, which leads south to Route 52. There, residents can shop at big-name retailers like Target and Menards or head to Route 83 for Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot.
Charlies is a popular cafe in downtown Minot.
Target is one of the major retailers serving the Minot area.
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Home of the North Dakota State Fair
Minot honors its aviation history at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, located next door to Minot International Airport. The center displays historic planes that pay tribute to the decades-old Air Force base just north. Downtown, Scandinavian Heritage Park celebrates Minot’s immigrant history with replicas of traditional homes and places of worship. The park hosts the annual Norsk Høstfest, a four-day Scandinavian festival featuring authentic cuisine, performances and artisan gifts. “It’s the largest Scandinavian festival outside of a Scandinavian country,” Collins says. “But we’re also very big on the arts. We have a symphony orchestra, multiple choral groups and an outdoor amphitheater that puts on plays during the summer.”
According to Stremick, the biggest event in Minot is the North Dakota State Fair. “Well over 1,000 people come out, and the concerts are the biggest attraction,” he says. “It’s all national musicians like Jelly Roll, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and Toby Keith. It’s also really affordable: You get one pass to all four concerts, so when you break it down, that’s still pretty cheap.”
Minot International Airport is the largest commercial terminal in North Dakota.
The North Dakota State Fair is held in Minot.
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Lake Audubon is a haven in the summertime
The Souris River twists through Minot's center, dividing the city in half. But it's Minot's surrounding lakes, including Lake Darling, Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea, that gain the most traction when the warmer months hit. "It's cold, and we know it's cold. Everybody knows it's cold," Collins jokes, noting that winter is their longest season. "That's why, during the summer, the town pretty much empties on weekends because everybody goes to the lakes." From canoeing to fishing, hunting, tubing and jet skiing, many residents endure the longer drives for an afternoon on the water.
Back home, Minot's riverfront recreation includes Roosevelt Park. The 20-acre green space is home to a swimming pool, a skate park and the Roosevelt Park Zoo, which is open year-round. Residents will also find several golf courses, including Souris Valley and Apple Grove.
Lake Audubon offers the perfect spot for ice fishing in winter months.
The Roosevelt Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in North Dakota.
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From Minot Public Schools to Minot State University
Students citywide attend Minot Public School District 1, which earns a B on Niche. Ranking No. 1 in Ward County, the district partners with the Minot Area Workforce Academy and the North Dakota Department of Trades & Industry to maximize students’ technical education. Families on the Minot Air Force Base can expect two elementary schools and one middle school on site, while the district’s high schools are primarily located within the city proper.
Minot State University is a public campus just north of the downtown area. “We consider it a regional college, so we get a lot of students from Canada that come down to attend,” Stremick says. “It brings a younger generation to Minot.” Known for its Registered Nursing program, the university ranks as a top employer in the city.
Minot High School, Magic City Campus serves kids in grades 9 through 12.
Minot State University was founded in 1913 and is known for cyber defense programs.
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Minot Air Force Base is the city’s largest employer
Located 13 miles north of downtown, the Minot Air Force Base is the city's largest employer and home to over 4,000 active-duty military personnel and their families. "The base is a huge part of Minot and our surrounding communities," Stremick says. "They have a large economic impact, and the city has open arms for all active military families." Trinity Health Hospital, Minot Public Schools and Minot State University closely follow as the city's most prominent employers. "We call our economy the five-legged stool," Collins adds. "It's very stable. There are a lot of jobs here, and they pay well."
While Minot City Transit provides bus service, most residents are car-dependent—particularly those living on the base. Routes 83 and 2 are both prominent highways. The former heads north to the Canadian border, while the latter heads east toward Fargo. Travelers fly commercially out of Minot International Airport. “You have to use the term ‘international’ lightly because you can really only fly to Canada,” Collins jokes.
Below-average crime stats in Minot
According to 2023 data from the Minot Police Department, the city’s overall crime rate has decreased by 52 percent since 2015. Rates for both violent and property crimes sit below the national average.
Born and raised in Minot, ND Tanya is no stranger to Minot and the surrounding areas. For 28 years she has been in the customer service/sales industry. Prior to coming to KW, she worked for Harley-Davidson for 6 years as their Sales/Business Manager. In May of 2018, she started her career with Keller Williams Inspire Realty as their Director of First Impressions. In June of 2019, Tanya furthered her career and became a licensed Real Estate Agent. Aside from being a mom to the light of her life Chloe Jo and fur babies Bella and Rune, & Ellie, her true passion is definitely helping others.
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