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West Fargo, North Dakota

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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,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref> and it is one of the state's fastest growing cities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The city is part of the Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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West Fargo began as a whistle stop called "Sheyenne Crossing" on the Northern Pacific Railway, named for the nearby Sheyenne River.<ref name="Hoheisel">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A post office operated from 1874 to 1885.<ref name="Hoheisel"/>

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.<ref name="Hoheisel"/><ref name="Leith">Template:Cite web</ref> Settlers began arriving in the area, and in 1876 the first school was built, School District No. 6.<ref name="Leith"/>

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

In 1989, the cities of West Fargo and Riverside merged.<ref name="Leith"/>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/>

Climate

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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West Fargo, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 2000 % 2010 Template:Partial
White alone (NH) 14,312 23,840 32,687 95.80% 92.30% 84.62%
Black or African American alone (NH) 59 503 1,779 0.39% 1.95% 4.61%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 151 232 415 1.01% 0.90% 1.07%
Asian alone (NH) 41 359 850 0.27% 1.39% 2.20%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 6 5 0.02% 0.02% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 7 26 79 0.05% 0.10% 0.20%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 156 391 1,616 1.04% 1.51% 4.18%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 211 473 1,195 1.41% 1.83% 3.09%
Total 14,940 25,830 38,626 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 38,626 people, 15,271 households, and 9,905 families residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 16,058 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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

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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 Template:Convert. There were 10,760 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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:

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

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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 Template:Convert. There were 5,968 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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

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Businesses

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Technology companies with West Fargo locations include:

Manufacturing companies within West Fargo locations include:

Arts and culture

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

Museums

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Annual events

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  • 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Bonanzaville Pioneer Days includes a parade, food, demonstrations and tours.<ref name="northdakotavalley.worldweb.com">Template:Cite web
    - Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Hamfest, an annual event located at the West Fargo Fairgrounds, features presentations and equipment for sale.<ref>Template:Cite web
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  • 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Red River Valley Fair includes entertainment, arts and crafts shows, livestock, fireworks and a petting zoo.<ref name="northdakotavalley.worldweb.com"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • West Fest, held in September, includes a softball tournament, pancake feed, parade, and firefighter's ball.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public library

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The West Fargo Public Library is located in the Clayton A. Lodoen Center. The library moved into this facility in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Park and recreation

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

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File: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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Fargo City Hall opened in May 1975.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The building includes a public library, city offices, and police parking.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

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File: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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2016, the school district began construction of an $18.5 million competitive pool facility at the L.E. Berger Elementary School.<ref>Template:Cite web
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In 2016, West Fargo High School teacher Michelle Strand earned the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media

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Newspapers and magazines

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

Infrastructure

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

Transportation

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West Fargo works with North Dakota Department of Transportation,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Fargo Moorhead Metro Area Transit<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to meet the transportation needs of West Fargo citizens.

West Fargo Municipal Airport is Template:Convert northwest of Fargo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Police

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The Police Department has grown from three officers in 1968, to 78 sworn officers as of 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public works

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Public Works Department oversees streets, sewer and water, sanitation and forestry for the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "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)."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Fire Department

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

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References

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Template:Reflist

Further reading

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  • 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.
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