Fargo, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fargo, North Dakota had a total population of 131,627, the 1st largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $66,998, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fargo is the 1st largest city in North Dakota with a population of 131,627.
- 43.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Dakota.
Fargo Quick Facts
How Fargo Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 131,627 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $66,998 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $269,800 | $281,900 | +4.5% |
How Fargo Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fargo Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo | 40,094 | $90,665 | 8.8% | $321,900 |
| Horace | 4,588 | $138,578 | 4.3% | $414,500 |
| Casselton | 2,953 | $73,259 | 7.1% | $278,400 |
| Mapleton | 1,352 | $119,432 | 1.8% | $310,200 |
| Reile's Acres | 1,032 | $192,500 | 1.2% | $475,600 |
| Kindred | 996 | $105,104 | 3.5% | $297,800 |
| Enderlin | 985 | $74,625 | 12.5% | $148,600 |
| Harwood | 819 | $145,139 | 1.3% | $321,100 |
| Argusville | 584 | $162,734 | 0.5% | $356,200 |
| Oxbow | 491 | $210,417 | 1.4% | $680,100 |
Cities Similar to Fargo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | 75,556 | $78,387 | $300,300 | 39.2% | 9.3% |
| Grand Forks | 59,042 | $63,627 | $249,900 | 40.0% | 15.5% |
| Minot | 47,791 | $73,219 | $257,100 | 29.7% | 11.1% |
| West Fargo | 40,094 | $90,665 | $321,900 | 42.1% | 8.8% |
| Williston | 28,056 | $79,381 | $286,200 | 25.8% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Fargo is a major urban center located in North Dakota, within Cass County. The total population is 131,627. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fargo is 31.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fargo is $66,998. This is 13% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $281,900. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fargo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 3.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 1.6%).
Education
43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fargo in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 32.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fargo, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fargo, North Dakota?
Fargo, North Dakota has a population of 131,627 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fargo, ND?
The median household income in Fargo is $66,998, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fargo, ND?
The poverty rate in Fargo is 12.9%. This means approximately 16,154 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fargo, North Dakota?
Fargo's population is 78.6% White, 8.6% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fargo, ND?
The median home value in Fargo is $281,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Fargo, North Dakota?
43.0% of adults (25+) in Fargo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.