Thief River Falls is a small urban center in northwest Minnesota
The Thief River runs through northwest Minnesota, eventually emptying into the Red Lake River in the aptly-named community of Thief River Falls. The area is a commercial center and urban pocket within an expanse of farmland, offering manufacturing jobs and a popular downtown area. Residents live in Thief River Falls for its strong economy and early 20th-century homes in a small-town atmosphere. “There’s a lot to do, but we do like it quieter up here,” says Shelly Guzek, a Realtor with Hometown Realty who was born and raised in the area.
Thief River Falls was stablished in 1887.
Thief River Falls is home to just under 9,000 residents.
1/2
Early 20th-century homes sit downtown alongside newer builds
Most of Thief River Falls is laid out on gridded blocks, with tall maple and pine trees shading the homes below. A diverse array of homes make up the area, including bungalows, national-style and ranch-style builds dating from as early as the turn of the 20th century. Homes go from roughly $50,000 to the mid-$200,000s, based on size and condition. Ranch and split-level homes sit further from downtown and often have larger lots, selling from $200,000 to around $500,000. The community also has scattered manufactured homes, and can generally go from about $40,000 to near $100,000. “We do have a lot of older homes, but we also have quite a few newer homes that have been recently built,” Guzek says. “We have a vast variety of homes for people. We’re seeing a lot of people buying things with some more substance in terms of land.”
Gothic revival homes can also be found in Thief River Falls.
Victorian style homes can be found in established areas of Thief River Falls.
1/2
Residents shop local in the downtown area
Downtown Thief River Falls is the community’s commercial heart, with local shops and restaurants clustered around Main Avenue and Third Street. “We like to keep things local,” Guzek says. “One of our mottos is ‘shop local.’ So even anytime a real estate agent comes into town, we recommend using local agencies or going to local shops.” The Piggy BBQ is popular for smoked pork, while establishments like The Schooner Bar and Grill and Rivers and Rails Brewing sit closer to the river. Standalone restaurants and big box stores surround Highway 59, including a Walmart.
Schooner's Bar & Grill is a popular hangout in downtown Thief River Falls.
Brisket, pulled pork and more can be found at The Piggy BBQ in downtown Thief River Falls.
1/2
Residents get outside in all four seasons
Much of Thief River Falls’ recreation revolves around the river, especially during the summer. Bill LaFave Park is located at the confluence of the Thief and Red Lake rivers and is a popular spot for swimming. Residents can also go for a walk along the riverbank at the Greenwood Trails. Several parks also have winter recreation facilities, including Engelstad Park and Northrup Park, which each have outdoor hockey rinks. The area also has several trails for snowmobiling, a popular cold-weather activity.
Engelstad Park features basketball and tennis courts as well as a winter skating rink.
Lafave Park has a public beach at the confluence of the Red Lake River & Thief River.
1/2
Thief River Falls Public Schools serves students
Students in the city can attend Thief River Falls Public Schools. Students follow the same pathway through the system, starting at Challenger Elementary, which receives a B-minus grade. Franklin Middle and Lincoln High also each receive a B-minus. The high school offers clubs ranging from the National Honor Society to less common activities like a Clay Target League shooting team. Thief River Falls is also home to a campus of Northland Community & Technical College.
Lincoln High School serves kids in grades 9 through 12.
Franklin Middle School serves kids in grades 5 through 8.
1/2
Annual events include a county fair and RiverFest
Thief River Falls hosts the Pennington County Fair each summer at the community's fairgrounds. The event has run for over 120 years and features traditional fair entertainment like amusement rides, livestock contests, and a parade. For a Thief River Falls-focused event, the chamber of commerce puts on RiverFest over the summer, with food vendors and live music.
Locals drive within and around the community
Thief River Falls sits at the intersection of several highways, including U.S. Highway 59. Grand Forks, South Dakota, located roughly 60 miles southwest, is the nearest major city. Thief River Falls Regional Airport offers commuter flights daily to Minneapolis. Sidewalks make many neighborhoods walkable within the community, though downtown is car-centric and residents nearly universally own vehicles. Commutes generally aren’t far, as manufacturing plants for companies, including Digikey, are within the community.
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.
