West Fargo, ND

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, and it is one of the state's fastest growing cities. The city is part of the Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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

A post office operated from 1874 to 1885.

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. Settlers began arriving in the area, and in 1876 the first school was built, School District No. 6.

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. Twenty-four homes were built, as well as a hotel, restaurant, and general store. 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". 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". The plant utilized an assembly line to process meat, and its motto stated it used "every part of the animal except the squeal." The plant also produced fertilizer, adhesives, and soap. The meat packing era ended in West Fargo when the Armour plant closed in 1960.

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

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

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.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 38,626 people, 15,271 households, and 9,905 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 16,058 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 85.60% White, 4.72% African American, 1.20% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from some other races and 5.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.09% of the population. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.2% were under 5 years of age, and 10.5% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% female.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 25,830 people, 10,348 households and 6,823 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 10,760 housing units at an average density of . 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 people of any race were 1.83% of the population.

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

* German 46.2%
* Norwegian 35.4%
* Irish 7.6%
* Swedish 6.2%
* English 5.4%
* French (except Basque) 3.8%
* American 2.7%
* Polish 2.6%
* Russian 2.5%
* Czech 2.4%
* Subsaharan African 2.2%
* Italian 1.7%
* Scottish 1.3%
* Danish 1.2%

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 2000 census, there were 14,940 people, 5,771 households and 4,091 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,968 housing units at an average density of . 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 people 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:
*Applied Industrial Technologies
*BNG Technologies
*Data Technologies Inc.
*High Point Networks
*Network Center Communications
*Norse Technologies
*Razor Tracking
*Red Chair Solutions
*TrueIT
*Digital Famous Media
Manufacturing companies within West Fargo locations include:
*Doosan Bobcat, North America Regional Headquarters
*Caterpillar Remanufacturing
*Marvin Windows

Arts and culture

Museums

* Bonanzaville, USA – is a village made up of many historic buildings from the region. It includes a church, school building, and log cabins. It is named after the historic bonanza farms of the area.

Annual events

* Big Iron Farm Show, an annual event located at the West Fargo Fairgrounds, features farm equipment and over 900 exhibit booths. Over 87,000 attendees took part in the three-day Big Iron in 2013.
* Bonanzaville Pioneer Days includes a parade, food, demonstrations and tours.
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* Hamfest, an annual event located at the West Fargo Fairgrounds, features presentations and equipment for sale.
* Nite to Unite, hosted by the West Fargo Police Department, is an annual community summer event. Past activities have included police, fire, ambulance and military demonstrations.
* Red River Valley Fair includes entertainment, arts and crafts shows, livestock, fireworks and a petting zoo.
* West Fest, held in September, includes a softball tournament, pancake feed, parade, and firefighter's ball.

Public library

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

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.

Government

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.

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

Education

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.

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).

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

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

Media

Newspapers and magazines

West Fargo news is covered in several newspapers and magazines including:
* ''Area Woman Magazine''
* ''Fargo Forum''
* ''Fargo Monthly''
* ''Prairie Business''
* ''West Fargo Pioneer'' mailed free to every West Fargo resident

Infrastructure

Transportation

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

West Fargo Municipal Airport is northwest of Fargo.

Police

The Police Department has grown from three officers in 1968, to 78 sworn officers as of 2023.

Public works

Public Works Department oversees streets, sewer and water, sanitation and forestry for the city. "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)."

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.

Notable people

* Anthony W. England, NASA astronaut
* Bryce Haugeberg, racing driver
* Jan Maxwell, Broadway actress and five time Tony Award nominee
* Tyler Roehl, former running back with the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings
* Matt Strahm, Major League Baseball pitcher
* Alon Wieland, businessman and North Dakota state legislator

References

Further reading

* Bicentennial West Fargo-Riverside History Book Committee. (1977). ''Thru the years to '76''. West Fargo, N.D.: J & M Printing.
* Cushing, N. (2003). ''West Fargo: A work in progress''. Moorhead, Minn.: Dept. of Mass Communications, Minnesota State University Moorhead.
* Dodge, R. (2009). ''Prairie murders: The true story of three murders and the loss of innocence in a small North Dakota town'' (1st ed.). St. Cloud, Minn.: North Star Press of St. Cloud.
* Forness, P. (1994). ''Seasons : Pleasant pastures on the All-Muddy River'' (1st. ed.). Fargo, N.D.: Prairie House.
* Heritage Publications (Hendrum, Minn.). (2003). ''A Century of the Red River Valley Fair''. Hendrum, MN: Heritage Publications.
* Witham, D. (2003). ''Sharing a legacy: The life & times of Donovan C. Witham''. West Fargo, ND?: S.n.
* Witham, D. (2011). ''Always with'em: A life to remember, musings on publishing, politics, and life in a small town''. West Fargo, N.D.: Donovan C. Witham.

External links

City of West Fargo – official website

The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce

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Cities in North Dakota
Cities in Cass County, North Dakota
Fargo–Moorhead