Demographic Profile
The Fargo Moorhead population remains largely Scandinavian and German, an homage to the people who settled the area in the 1870s. Today however, the number of new Americans from India, China, Bosnia, and numerous European and African nations is steadily expanding, drawn by quality employment, education opportunities, and new technology businesses, which makes it possible for a variety of cultures and ethnicities to find their niches in Fargo Moorhead.
Fargo Moorhead’s populations is relatively young, well-educated, and at the peak of their working careers, making our area a prime location for talent in a variety of industries.
NOTE: All demographic information represents the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encompasses all the communities within Cass County, ND, and Clay County, MN.
| Population |
2000 Census |
2011 Estimate |
2016 Projection |
| Total Population |
174,367 |
215,811 |
244,948 |
| Median Age |
31.6 |
31.4 |
33.2 |
| US Total Population |
281,421,906 |
311,873,842 |
325,105,102 |
| US Total Median Age |
35.3 |
36.9 |
37.8 |
| Households |
2000 Census |
2011 Estimate |
2016 Projection |
| Number |
69,819 |
88,024 |
95,959 |
| Median Household Income |
$38,249 |
$48,690 |
$55,057 |
| Average Household Income |
$48,711 |
$64,735 |
$74,633 |
| Per Capita Income |
$19,540 |
$26,674 |
$29,512 |
| Households by Income |
2000 Census |
2011 Estimate |
2016 Projection |
| $0 - $14,999 |
11,279 (16.2%) |
12,641 (14.4%) |
13,085 (13.6%) |
| $15,000 - $24,999 |
10,447 (15,0%) |
9,609 (10.9%) |
9,264 (9.7%) |
| $25,000 - $34,999 |
10,204 (14.6%) |
10,439 (11.9%) |
10,397 (10.8%) |
| $35,000 - $49,999 |
12,433 (17.8%) |
12,354 (14.0%) |
12,068 (12.6%) |
| $50,000 - $74,999 |
14,174 (20.3%) |
16,656 (18.9%) |
17,598 (18.3%) |
| $75,000 - $99,999 |
5,878 (8.4%) |
11,665 (13.3%) |
14,478 (15.1%) |
| $100,000 - $149,999 |
3,582 (5.1%) |
9,943 (11.3%) |
13,050 (13.6%) |
| $150,000 + |
1,822 (2.6%) |
4,718 (5.4) |
6,019 (6.3%) |
| Educational Attainment (Age 25+ Population) |
2000 Census |
2011 Estimate |
2016 Projection |
| Less than High School |
9.9% |
6.0% |
4.7% |
| High School or Equivalent |
91.1 |
94.0 |
95.3 |
| Some College - more than 1 year, no degree |
26.5 |
21.6 |
19.6 |
| Associate Degree |
9.4 |
12.2 |
13.3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree |
29.5 |
35.1 |
37.0 |
| Graduate Degree |
8.0 |
9.6 |
10.1 |
| Source: Decision Data Resources (2012) |