Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the is the county seat of Cass County. The city was founded in 1871, and it has a population of 125,990 as of the 2020 census. This makes it the largest city in the American state of North Dakota. It is the 216th largest city in America.^[3]

Fargo, North Dakota
City
Downtown Fargo Plains Art Museum North Dakota State University Fargo Civic Center Veterans Memorial Bridge Fargo Air Museum Cathedral of St. Mary
Fargo Location within North Dakota Show map of North Dakota Fargo Location within the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 46°52′24″N 96°49′38″W
Country	United States
State	North Dakota
County	Cass
Founded	1871
Named for	William Fargo
Government
• Mayor	Tim Mahoney (D)
Area [1]
• City	50.77 sq mi (131.49 km2)
Elevation [2]	906 ft (276 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• City	125,990
• Rank	US: 216th ND: 1st
• Density	2,481.68/sq mi (958.19/km2)
• Urban	216,214 (US: 177th)[4]
• Urban density	2,781.6/sq mi (1,074.0/km2)
• Metro	258,663 (US: 190th)
• Demonym	Fargoan
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central)
ZIP Codes	58102–58109, 58121–58122, 58124–58126
Area code	701
FIPS code	38-25700
GNIS feature ID	1036030[2]
Website	fargond.gov

Fargo is in the eastern part of the state, near the Minnesota border. Fargo is at the intersection of two major highways, Interstate 29 and Interstate 94. Fargo has a twin city of Moorhead, Minnesota. Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, and Dilworth, Minnesota, are part of the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Fargo was founded in 1871 on the Red River of the North floodplain.^[5] Fargo is very important to North Dakota. It is a cultural, retail, health care, education, and industry center in the Midwest. North Dakota State University is in the city.

History

Fargo is on the Red River of the North. Fargo was originally part of Lake Agassiz. When the lake drained, it formed the Red River Valley. Many Native American groups lived near this area. By the 19th century, Fargo was part of Sioux (Dakota) territory. By 1859, there were many settlements in the Red River Valley. The area that is now Fargo was a stopping point for steamboats traveling across the Red River. In 1871, Centralia was established. However, the town was soon renamed to Fargo, after William Fargo.^[6] While Fargo was being developed, two separate towns started to form: "Fargo on the Prairie" and "Fargo on the Timber". Fargo on the Prairie was a tent town. It was said to be well-lead by both Northern Pacific Railway engineers and military officers. Fargo on the Timber was known for having lots of whisky and being lawless. In 1872, federal troops shut down Fargo on the Timber, leaving only Fargo on the Prairie.^[7][8] In 1875, Fargo was officially incorporated.^[6]

Street scene in downtown Fargo