West Fargo, North Dakota

West Fargo, North Dakota
—  City  —
Location of West Fargo, North Dakota
Coordinates: 46°52′18″N 96°53′42″W
Country	United States
State	North Dakota
County	Cass
Government
• Mayor	Rich Mattern
Area
• Total	14.72 sq mi (38.12 km2)
• Land	14.44 sq mi (37.40 km2)
• Water	0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2)
Elevation	896 ft (273 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	25,830
• Estimate (2012)	27,478
• Density	1,788.8/sq mi (690.7/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	58078
Area code(s)	701
FIPS code	38-84780
GNIS feature ID	1032733
Highways	I-94, I-94 Bus., US 10
Website	www.westfargond.gov

West Fargo is a city in Cass County, North Dakota in the United States. It is, as of the 2010 census, the fifth largest city in the state of North Dakota with a population of 25,830, and it is the state's fastest growing large city. West Fargo was founded in 1926. The city is part of the Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

West Fargo is located at 46°52′18″N 96°53′42″W (46.871749, -96.894966).

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.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1940	707		—
1950	1,632		130.8%
1960	3,328		103.9%
1970	5,161		55.1%
1980	10,099		95.7%
1990	12,287		21.7%
2000	14,940		21.6%
2010	25,830		72.9%
Est. 2012	27,478		6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2012 Estimate

According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition was as follows:

• White: 91.7% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 90.6%)
• Black or African American: 0.6%
• American Indian: 3.0%
• Asian: 0.5%
• Pacific Islander: 0.0%
• Some other race: 2.0%
• Two or more races: 2.3%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 3.0%

According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the top ten European ancestries were the following:

• German: 50.4%
• Norwegian: 35.3%
• Irish: 9.8%
• Swedish: 5.6%
• French: 4.2%
• English: 3.8%
• Polish: 2.7%
• Czech: 2.7%
• Russian: 2.0%
• Dutch: 1.3%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 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 of the city 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 in the city 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, however the current population of West Fargo is estimated at over 29,000 residents. The population density was 2,049.2 per square mile (791.3/km²). There were 5,968 housing units at an average density of 818.6 per square mile (316.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city 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 6 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 out 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.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% 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 income for a household in the city was $44,542, and the median income for a family was $51,765. Males had a median income of $32,105 versus $22,148 for females. The per capita income for the city 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.

Education

The city of West Fargo is served by West Fargo School District. The system operates the West Fargo Kindergarten Center, Eastwood Elementary School, L. E. Berger Elementary School, South Elementary School, Westside Elementary School], Cheney Middle School for grades 6 - 8, STEM Center, and West Fargo High School. Another school, Aurora Elementary School opened for the 2007-2008 school year. Aurora is located in the Eagle Run development in southern West Fargo. Sheyenne 9th Grade Center, opened August 27, 2007 as a response to the district's growing enrollment and overcrowding at West Fargo High School. 2007 marks the first year the freshmen have been educated outside the High School since 1993. The Sheyenne 9th Grade Center may serve as a second middle school for West Fargo, as it was decided in March 2009 to be voted on by the public.

The West Fargo School District also serves much of southwestern Fargo, the suburb of Reile's Acres, and the communities of Horace and Harwood, giving both towns their own elementary schools (Horace Elementary and Harwood Elementary).

West Fargo Public Library utilizes Web 2.0 technologies on its website, these include blogs and photos. In 2011, West Fargo was recognized as a Playful City USA by the KaBOOM Foundation.

Sites of interest

• Big Iron Farm Show
• Maple River Golf Club, Inc.
• Bonanzaville, USA

Notable people

• Anthony W. England (PhD), NASA astronaut
• Tyler Roehl, running back with the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings

External links

• City of West Fargo official website
• Maps of Recent West Fargo Residential Development