Fun Facts About Fargo
1. Fargo-Moorhead is a great place for nearly 188,000 people! The cost of living is relatively low, the city is easy to navigate, education is first rate and people are friendly. In 2008 the LA Times said Fargo is “Trendy!” The Today Show dubbed Fargo “A Hip City!” http://www.fargomoorhead.org/
2. Fargo is home to over 350 restaurants, with many different varieties of cuisine, such as American, Asian, Bosnian, Indian, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Mexican, Seafood, and Vegetarian. You can find wonderful local eateries, or your favorite chain restaurant.
3. The new Public Library in Fargo opened in April 2009. It has wireless internet, over 165,000 books and 10,000 DVDs, children’s theater, meeting rooms and quiet study rooms. It’s a great place for students from all 4 of the accredited colleges and universities located in the area!
4. Downtown Fargo is vibrant! It has been recently rehabbed to restore its unforgettable historic charm. There are a variety of eclectic shops and galleries, lofts, funky coffee shops, restaurants, the Plains Art Museum, and the new NDSU Cityscapes Plaza living spaces. http://www.fmdowntown.com/
5. The historic Fargo Theater is a downtown landmark. The Fargo Theater hosts annual events including the Celebration of Women and their Music, the Fargo Film Festival, the Queer Film Festival, as well as a variety of concerts, cult and popular films, and special events. Acts such as Ani Difranco, Steve Earle, Indigo Girls, and The Blenders just to name a few! http://www.fargotheatre.org/
6. Fargo has fun for everyone! There are numerous family-friendly events throughout the year. There is also fun adult entertainment including dancing, comedy, karaoke, and live music.
7. Fargo-Moorhead is increasingly becoming a racially diverse community. We are located in close proximity to several Native American reservations and have been home to migrant workers from Central America who have settled in the area in more recent history. Fargo is also a refugee resettlement city. We welcome new residents from the around the world, such as Kurdistan, Haiti, Russia, Bosnia, Zaire, Vietnam, Somalia, Sudan, Cuba, Armenia, and Iraq.
8. Fargo is located within driving distance to interesting cities such as Minneapolis, Duluth, and Winnipeg. Hector International Airport and Amtrak rail allow easy travel to further destinations.
9. There are plenty of cultural opportunities for entertainment through the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, Tin Roof Theater Company, The Entertainment Company, the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, the Jazz Arts Group, the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Trollwood Performing Arts School, and the Fargo Moorhead Ballet.
10. If you’re a sports fan, Fargo is home to the F/M Redhawks, a professional northern league baseball team, and the Fargo Force, a semi-pro hockey team. The F-M Derby Girls roller derby team made their debut in 2009 and don’t forget NDSU Division 1 Athletics.
11. Fargo has a good economy despite the national trend. In fact, in a study published by Forbes, Fargo was ranked 7th best small city in the nation to start a business or career.
12. There is plenty of shopping in Fargo! Downtown offers a variety of unique shops, while the West Acres Shopping Center is the largest mall in North Dakota with over 120 stores and a 750 seat food court. http://www.westacres.com/
13. Fargo has plenty of outdoor opportunities with parks, trails, golf courses, campgrounds, and athletic facilities. Winter sports include snow shoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, ice skating and more. Fargo is also in close proximity to Minnesota lakes for summer water sports, hiking and river tubing.
14. If you are an athlete (or just like to play), there are numerous clubs and teams for just about every sport and age group! Over 20,000 people from around the U.S. participated in The Fargo Marathon in 2010. It is one of the country’s most popular marathons with huge crowds and live music all along the routes - which include a 5K, 10K, and a Youth Run! www.fargomarathon.com
15. Fargo-Moorhead LGBTQA Pride Celebration was rated one of the top 5 rural prides in the U.S. by gay.com in 2007 and 2008! Each summer, F-M Pride hosts several community events, a festival, parade and rally. http://www.fmpride.com
16. Fargoans love festivals and fairs! Fargo-Moorhead hosts several annually, including the Celtic Festival, Downtown Street Fair, Fargo Blues Festival, Island Craft Fair, Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, Rib Fest, Native American Pow Wow, and the Red River Valley Fair.
17. The Fargodome holds over 25,000 people and hosts many large concerts, sporting events, and trade shows. Recent entertainment includes Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Cirque du Soleil, Broadway Series theater productions and more! http://www.fargodome.com/
Additional Info links
Fargo Park District http://www.fargoparks.com/
Fargo Downtowner http://fargodowntowner.com/
F-M Pride Collective and Community Center http://www.pridecollective.com/
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County at The Hjemkomst Center http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/
Plains Art Museum http://plainsart.org/
NDSU Cityscapes Plaza http://www.cityscapesdevelopment.com/ndsu/
A few of the honors Fargo has earned…
The Earth Day Network has ranked Fargo the best among 200 cities in the U.S. based on environmental, health and quality-of-life indicators.
Self magazine ranked Fargo-Moorhead as the happiest place in the nation for women.
The Fargo Marathon was named the #1 Best Value Marathon in America and the 8th Best Overall Marathon in America in Runner’s World Reader’s Choice Award. January 2010
Fargo-Moorhead ranked most secure mid-size U.S. city by Farmers Insurance Group of Companies Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings. December 2009
Fargo Named 'America's Cleanest City' in American Lung Association's State of the Air Report. December 2009
Fargo-Moorhead designated "Five Star Business Opportunity Metro," Expansion Management magazine. August 2006
Fargo-Moorhead ranked number 98 out of 100 least angry American cities by Men's Health Magazine. August 2006
Fargo ranked 69th place in Money magazine's 100 "Best Places to Live: 2006 edition.
Designated America's Top Rated Smaller Cities published by Grey House Publishing. June 2006
Fargo-Moorhead ranked 3rd among small metros in the nation on the Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers list. May 2006
Fargo-Moorhead ranked 4th in the nation's metropolitan area economies for its long-term growth potential by Economy.com's Business Vitality Index. April 2006
Fargo-Moorhead rated 12th safest American city by Morgan Quitno Press' 2005 City Crime Ranking. November 2005
Fargo-Moorhead ranks 3rd "Best U.S. Cities for Relocating Families" by the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC) and Primary Relocation Firm. May 2005
