Growing suburb outside North Dakota's largest city
Located along the Sheyenne River just 5 miles west of Fargo, West Fargo is one of North Dakota's fastest-growing cities. "West Fargo is a great community with lots of opportunities for people wanting to raise a family. It's really been a tremendously growing area ever since the Sheyenne Diversion was built in the early '90s. It basically converted a large floodplain area into solid, buildable land," says Kevin Fisher, a Realtor with Park Co. Realtors who has sold homes in the area for 20 years.
First founded as a whistle-stop on the Northern Pacific Railway, West Fargo became a center for agricultural processing and meat packing in the early 1900s. Since then, West Fargo has become an official city with its own police force and mayor. In addition to West Fargo's commutability to Downtown Fargo, the city's economy is anchored by companies like Bobcat and BNG Team.
The BNG Team is a major employer in West Fargo.
West Fargo is a fast growing suburb in North Dakota.
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Cass County architecture and a growing market
With 40,400 people as of 2023, West Fargo is currently the fifth most populous city in North Dakota, having doubled in population since 2005. This spike has also correlated to a boom in new construction and higher pricing of the housing inventory, according to Schuyler Froehlich, an area local and operations manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors. "West Fargo's median home price is $339,900. Higher than neighboring cities Fargo, Moorhead and Horace, but that comes with new construction," Froehlich says.
Most properties in West Fargo date back to the 1960s and feature midcentury architectural styles in neighborhoods like River West. Eagle Run has a collection of apartments and condos for those looking for maintenance-free options. Newer neighborhoods like Osgood, in the southern part of the city, have recently built houses on larger plots of land.
A row of single-family homes in Elmwood Court offers the perfect setting for family living.
Sheyenne Park has just a few home styles to offer, including split level style homes.
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Shopping and dining along 13th Avenue
The West Acres Mall is split between West Acres and Willow Park neighborhoods on 13th Avenue. The largest shopping center in the city, it has more than 120 storefronts with entertainment options like a movie theater and Touchstone Energy Dinosaur Playland. The 13th Avenue has grown and continues to develop. "Harry's Steakhouse is a well-known restaurant in Grand Forks that will be opening a location here soon," Fisher says. More chain restaurants, bars and ice cream shops are in the Lights district.
Enjoy a night out at The Lights, featuring dining, entertainment, and more in West Fargo.
West Acres Mall serves as Burlington residents' go-to destination for shopping, and dining.
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West Fargo parks along the Sheyenne and flood protections
West Fargo Park District maintains 27 parks ranging from community playgrounds and shelters to ice rinks and even four sledding hills with their own warming houses. With the harsh winters, the city manages multiple indoor recreation options. Veterans Memorial Arena has a hockey rink, indoor track and fitness center. The Hulbert Aquatic Center hosts numerous regional swim meets throughout the year.
West Fargo experiences four seasons but is known for its long winters with an average of more than 50 inches of snow annually. Its proximity to the Sheyenne River may cause flooding concerns, and FEMA may require flood insurance for some homes along the river. Flooding in the city has been mitigated by a diversion put in place in 1992. "When Grand Forks flooded in 1997, Fargo had to do a lot of sandbagging to protect its homes from the Red River flooding, but West Fargo was safe," Fisher says.
Maplewood Park provides a vibrant space for community gatherings in West Fargo.
Residents can swim year-round at The Hulbert Aquatic Center near Berger.
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Commuter times and Hector International Airport
According to U.S. News and World Report, the average commuter time in West Fargo is 18 minutes. Interstate 94 passes through the city, which is the fastest way to get the 5 miles to Downtown Fargo. Hector International Airport is 7 miles northeast, with commercial flights throughout the rest of the country and a few into Canada. Located on 23rd Avenue, Sanford Medical Center has 24-hour service and is one of the largest employers in the region.
The Lights headlines numerous West Fargo events
The Eagle Run neighborhood is home to The Lights, a mixed-use complex that hosts major concerts at Essentia Health Plaza and the Chutes & Boots Pro Bull Riding event. During the winter, the plaza is transformed into a skating rink.
The city's largest events occur at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, including the Red River Valley Fair, the North Dakota Renaissance Fair, and the Big Iron Farm Show.
Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights is a great venue for Yoga on the Lawn .
Vendors from across the country visited the Big Iron XLIV Farm and Construction show.
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West Fargo Public Schools and NDSU
Students here may attend West Fargo Public Schools, which operates 21 different schools and ranks a B rating from Niche. The school district is known for its new facilities, with schools like Horace High being constructed in 2021. The district's 2025 Bond Referendum is scheduled to allocate several million dollars for improvements to high school multipurpose rooms, special education, and safety and security upgrades to the schools.
Six miles northeast of West Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public research-based program that offers undergraduate through doctorate-level degrees. The North Dakota State Bison football team competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, and games are a weekly event on Saturdays in the fall at the Fargodome.
West Fargo Sheyenne High School fosters academic excellence and community spirit.
North Dakota State University makes Washington somewhat of a college neighborhood.
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Important to know
According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, West Fargo's violent and property crime rates are both about less than half of the national average. However, since 2017 rates for both violent and property crimes have increased by about 30%.
Written By
Bayley Malo
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Rowell
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tina Kraft,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in West Fargo, ND sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in West Fargo, ND over the last 12 months is $340,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Katie DewarBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
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