West Fargo, North Dakota

Last updated

West Fargo, North Dakota
City
Downtown West Fargo.png
Downtown West Fargo
Young Field; West Fargo, ND.png
Young Field
Bonanzaville USA (2013).jpg
Bonanzaville, USA
MIDCO Stage at Essentia Health Plaza.png
MIDCO Stage at the Essentia Health Plaza
West Fargo Logo.png
Motto: 
"A City on the Grow"
ND Cass County West Fargo.svg
Location of West Fargo, North Dakota
Coordinates: 46°52′20″N96°52′18″W / 46.87222°N 96.87167°W / 46.87222; -96.87167
CountryUnited States
State North Dakota
County Cass
Government
 •  Mayor Bernie Dardis
Area
[1]
 • Total16.42 sq mi (42.52 km2)
 • Land16.18 sq mi (41.89 km2)
 • Water0.24 sq mi (0.63 km2)
Elevation
[2]
899 ft (274 m)
Population
 (2020) [3]
 • Total38,626
 • Estimate 
(2022) [4]
39,985
 • RankUS: 999th
ND: 5th
 • Density2,388.01/sq mi (922.03/km2)
 •  Demonym
West Fargoan
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
58078
Area code 701
FIPS code 38-84780
GNIS feature ID1036321 [2]
Highways I-94, US 10
Website westfargond.gov

West Fargo is a city in Cass County, North Dakota, United States. It is, as of the 2020 census, the fifth most populous city in the state of North Dakota with a population of 38,626, [3] and it is one of the state's fastest growing cities. [5] The city is part of the Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History

West Fargo began as a whistle stop called "Sheyenne Crossing" on the Northern Pacific Railway, named for the nearby Sheyenne River. [6] [7] [8]

A post office operated from 1874 to 1885. [6]

The settlement was renamed "Haggartville", and then "Haggart", after the owner of the land, John E. Haggart, a businessman who served as postmaster, U.S. marshall, and first sheriff of Cass County. [6] [9] Settlers began arriving in the area, and in 1876 the first school was built, School District No. 6. [9]

Equity Co-op Packing Company was formed by a group of farmer, and the Equity Packing Plant—a meat processing plant—was erected in the settlement in 1919. [9] Twenty-four homes were built, as well as a hotel, restaurant, and general store. [9] [10] The Equity company fell into bankruptcy in 1922, and was sold to Armour and Company in 1925, when the settlement's name was changed to "Village of West Fargo". [9] The settlement was a major agricultural processor during the 1930s, and most of the residents were meat packinghouse workers; teams at West Fargo High School continue to be called the "packers". [11] The plant utilized an assembly line to process meat, and its motto stated it used "every part of the animal except the squeal." [10] The plant also produced fertilizer, adhesives, and soap. [10] The meat packing era ended in West Fargo when the Armour plant closed in 1960. [10]

In 1989, the cities of West Fargo and Riverside merged. [9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.72 square miles (38.12 km2), of which 14.44 square miles (37.40 km2) is land and 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2) is water. [12]

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, West Fargo has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. [13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1940 707—
1950 1,632130.8%
1960 3,328103.9%
1970 5,16155.1%
1980 10,09995.7%
1990 12,28721.7%
2000 14,94021.6%
2010 25,83072.9%
2020 38,62649.5%
2022 (est.)39,985 [4] 3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]
2020 Census [3]

According to the 2008–2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the ancestry is as follows:

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, [16] there were 25,830 people, 10,348 households and 6,823 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,788.8 inhabitants per square mile (690.7/km2). There were 10,760 housing units at an average density of 745.2 per square mile (287.7/km2). The racial makeup was 93.5% White, 2.0% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 10,348 households, of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age was 32.6 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 7.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,940 people, 5,771 households and 4,091 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,049.2 inhabitants per square mile (791.2/km2). There were 5,968 housing units at an average density of 818.6 per square mile (316.1/km2). The racial makeup was 96.40% White, 0.42% African American, 1.04% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.

The top six ancestry groups in the city are German (47.9%), Norwegian (39.7%), Irish (8.3%), Swedish (7.2%), French (5.2%), English (4.8%).

There were 5,771 households, of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.

29.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median household income was $44,542 and the median family income was $51,765. Males had a median income of $32,105 and females $22,148. The per capita income was $19,368. About 4.7% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Businesses

Technology companies with West Fargo locations include:

Arts and culture

West Fest Parade West Fest - Fire Department and Police Department.jpg
West Fest Parade
West Fargo Public Library West Fargo Public Library; May 1, 2024.png
West Fargo Public Library

Annual events and sites of interest:

Public library

The West Fargo Public Library is located in the Clayton A. Lodoen Center. The library moved into this facility in 2005. [33]

Park and recreation

The West Fargo Park District maintains 30 parks, bike paths, and facilities that include Scheels Soccer Complex, Veterans Memorial Arena, Rustad Recreation Center and Veterans Memorial Pool. [34]

Government

West Fargo City Hall West Fargo North Dakota City Hall.jpg
West Fargo City Hall

The City of West Fargo is governed by a Board of City Commissioners, which consists of the President of the Board (Mayor) and four City Commissioners. The current mayor of West Fargo as of 2018 is Bernie Dardis. [35]

Fargo City Hall opened in May 1975. [36] The building includes a public library, city offices, and police parking. [37] [38]

Education

West Fargo High School West Fargo High School; May 1, 2024.png
West Fargo High School
West Fargo Sports Arena, part of West Fargo Public Schools. West Fargo Sports Arena; May 1, 2024.jpg
West Fargo Sports Arena, part of West Fargo Public Schools.

West Fargo Public Schools serves the city of West Fargo, much of southwestern Fargo, the suburb of Reile's Acres, and the communities of Horace and Harwood. [39]

The school district operates two early childhood schools (Clayton A. Lodoen Kindergarten Center and Osgood Kindergarten Center), ten elementary schools (Aurora Elementary, Eastwood Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Harwood Elementary, Horace Elementary, Independence Elementary, L.E. Berger Elementary, Liberty 5th Grade, South Elementary, and Westside Elementary), two middle schools (Cheney Middle and Liberty Middle) and three high schools (West Fargo High School, Sheyenne High, and Community High). [40]

In 2016, the school district began construction of an $18.5 million competitive pool facility at the L.E. Berger Elementary School. [41]

In 2016, West Fargo High School teacher Michelle Strand earned the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. [42]

Media

Newspapers and magazines

West Fargo news is covered in several newspapers and magazines including:

Infrastructure

West Fargo Fire Department, Main Station West Fargo Fire Department, Main Station; May 1, 2024.png
West Fargo Fire Department, Main Station

Transportation

West Fargo works with North Dakota Department of Transportation, [48] Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG), [49] and Fargo Moorhead Metro Area Transit [50] to meet the transportation needs of West Fargo citizens.

West Fargo Municipal Airport is 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Fargo. [51]

Police

The Police Department has grown from three officers in 1968, to 61 sworn officers as of 2018. [52]

Public works

Public Works Department oversees streets, sewer and water, sanitation and forestry for the city. [53] "There are eight (8) existing wells within the City. The total pumping capacity of all wells together is 3,500 gallons per minute (5 million gallons per day)." [54]

Fire Department

West Fargo Fire and Rescue has 23 career and 45 part-time positions. The department has two stations and provides "all hazard" services including fire suppression, community risk reduction, basic life support EMS, hazmat, and technical rescue specialties such as water/ice rescue, high angle rope rescue and tactical EMS.[ citation needed ]

Notable people

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References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Fargo, North Dakota
  3. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ "West Fargo, ND | Official Website". www.westfargond.gov.
  6. 1 2 3 Hoheisel, Nielsen; Tim, Andrew R. (2007). Cass County. Arcadia. p. 82.
  7. ↑ Teigen, Danielle (2017). Hidden History of Fargo. History Press.
  8. ↑ "How West Fargo Came To Be". Cass County. February 23, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Leith, Petra. "West Fargo: A Brief History". West Fargo Historical Center. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "The Equity Packing Plant". Prairie Public Broadcasting. July 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ Danbom, David B.; Strom, Claire; Grosz, Jennifer; Hallberg, John R. (2002). Fargo, North Dakota 1870-1940. Arcadia. p. 46.
  12. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ "West Fargo, North Dakota Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Census.gov". Census.gov.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Applied | Homepage".
  18. ↑ "BNG Payments". BNG Payments.
  19. ↑ "ABT Data Technologies, Inc". www.abtdti.com.
  20. ↑ "High Point Networks | Business IT Solutions". highpointnetworks.com.
  21. ↑ "IT Services & Support in Fargo". NetCenter Technologies.
  22. ↑ "Norse Technologies". www.norsetechnologies.com.
  23. ↑ "Razor Tracking - Award-Winning Fleet Tracking & Operations Management". Razor Tracking.
  24. ↑ Red Chair Solutions website
  25. ↑ "Home - True IT". June 23, 2021.
  26. ↑ Digital Famous Media website
  27. ↑ "Big Iron Farm Show - West Fargo, North Dakota". Big Iron Farm Show.
  28. 1 2 "West Fargo Event Listings - A Complete List of Events in West Fargo, North Dakota".
    - "Bonanzaville Pioneer Village and Cass County Museum - Bonanzaville".
  29. ↑ "Red River Radio Amateurs". rrra.org.
    - "American Radio Relay League - Ham Radio Association and Resources". www.arrl.org.
  30. ↑ "City of West Fargo > Home > Departments".
  31. ↑ "Contact Us". www.redrivervalleyfair.com.
  32. ↑ "West Fest". City of West Fargo.
  33. ↑ "West Fargo news (West Fargo Pioneer)".
  34. ↑ "Parks & Facilities - West Fargo Park District".
  35. ↑ "City of West Fargo > Home > Government > City Commission".
  36. ↑ "This Week in History" . Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Expansion blueprint proceeding for city hall, police department..." Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Grand opening of West Fargo City Hall, Police Department" . Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  39. ↑ "West Fargo Public Schools - West Fargo, North Dakota".
  40. ↑ "West Fargo Public Schools - West Fargo, North Dakota".
  41. ↑ "Local swim group purchases Olympic Trials competition pool for..." January 6, 2016.
    - "Pool naming rights given to longtime swim family".
  42. ↑ "West Fargo teacher wins Award of Excellence". West Fargo Pioneer.
  43. ↑ "Welcome". areawomanmagazine.
  44. ↑ "InForum | The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead". InForum.
  45. ↑ "Fargo Monthly". fargomonthly.com.
  46. ↑ "Prairie Business magazine".
  47. ↑ "West Fargo Pioneer to be delivered every Wednesday Free to West..."
    - "West Fargo Pioneer".
    - "Former West Fargo Pioneer publisher Witham dies at age 95". West Fargo Pioneer. May 12, 2015.
    - "Don Witham Obituary". Tributes.com.
  48. ↑ Transportation, North Dakota Department of. "DOT Home Page".
  49. ↑ "Home :: Fargo-Moorhead Metro COG". www.fmmetrocog.org.
  50. ↑ "MATBUS - Homepage". matbus.com.
  51. ↑ "City of West Fargo > Home > Government > Airport Authority".
  52. ↑ "West Fargo Police Department Annual Report 2018". West Fargo Police Department.
  53. ↑ "City of West Fargo > Home > Departments > Public Works".
  54. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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