Real Estate Directory - North Dakota

Population: (634,366) (2004 figure)
Capital city/population: Bismarck 56,344 (2003 figures)
Largest cities/population:

  • Fargo -91,484
  • Bismarck - 56,344
  • Grand Forks - 48,618

North Dakota is the 19th largest state with a total area of 70,704 square miles. Residents enjoy a dry, continental climate and four seasons. Average winter temperature is 12ºF, with summer temperatures averaging 65ºF. Precipitation varies from 14” – 20”. North Dakota achieved statehood on November 2, 1889. The town of Rugby is the geographical center of North America, marked by a rock obelisk 15’ tall, with poles flying the United States and Canadian flags on either side. Also in Rugby is a funeral home boasting a 30’ tower which holds 13 bells. The largest bells are 40” in diameter and weigh 1,300 pounds each.

HOUSING

Fargo – The city has over 16,000 housing units, with an average home price of $129,014. Of these units, 47% are owner-occupied, and 49% are rental units. There is a diverse selection of homes, with buyers able to choose from nice first-time homes, luxury homes, or new construction. This community has great educational opportunities, shopping, and entertainment; employment opportunities remain strong.

Bismarck – Average home price for 2005 was $124,016. Over 60% of the city’s 13,300 homes are owner-occupied, with rentals comprising 31% of the total, renting for an average of $394. New construction prices are expected to rise due to increased fuel and supply costs during winter, but in general, the market remains active due to low interest rates.

Grand Forks – This is a small community with less than 10,000 homes. Average price of these homes is $121,071, with a balance between owner-occupied and rental units. Despite the town’s size, the real estate market remains strong, with homes selling near to full list price.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Principal industries include agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy. Manufactured goods include farm equipment, processed foods, fabricated metals, and high tech electronics. Crops include spring wheat, durum, barley, rye, flaxseed, oats, potatoes, honey, soybeans, and sunflowers. Total state product for 2004 was $21 billion, with a per capita income for that year of $28,922.

SCHOOLS

North Dakota has many programs designed to help students at all levels. Among them are Adult Education and Literacy, Bilingual Acquisition, Credentialing/Paraprofessional, General Management, Native American Education, Title I Programs, and Schools for the Blind, Deaf, and Special Needs.

In the K-12 levels, programs of Standards and Achievement have been established to monitor student progress. Also in this sector, the student-teacher ratio for 1994 was 15:3, with an average annual teachers’ salary for 1995 of $26,969.

State-supported higher-education schools include the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks and Williston, and North Dakota State University – Fargo and Bottineau. There are also four other state colleges, three junior colleges, and a school of science. Jamestown College is the oldest private college in the state, chartered in 1884.

HISTORY

Native Americans inhabited this area for thousands of years prior to European contact. Trading arrangements between tribes meant that their contact with explorers was minimal; however, by the time of Lewis and Clark, these tribes were aware of the encroachment upon their land, and of outside claims to it.

The state was not settled much until the late 1800s, when railroads were developed, bringing with them settlers and ranchers. Early governments were corrupt, and a spirit of lawlessness sometimes prevailed.
Early in the 20th century, different leadership brought about social reforms. A farm crisis in the early 1920s preceded the Great Depression, which was difficult on the state’s economy.

Projects in the years to follow included the Garrison Dam and the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force bases in the 1950s. Later years saw an oil boom, as rising petroleum prices encouraged development and settlement. Since then, a slight economic and demographic has taken place, with population leveling out to levels experienced in the 1920s.

RELIGION (2004)

  • Lutheran: - 35%
  • Catholic: - 30%
  • Methodist:- 7%
  • Baptist:- 6%
  • Assemblies of God: - 3%
  • None: - 3%
  • Christian: - 2%
  • Muslim: - 2%
  • Protestant: -1%
  • Mormon/LDS: - 1%
  • Jehovah's Witnesses: - 1%
  • Buddhist: - 1%
  • Other: - 1%
  • Refused:- 6%

DEMOGRAPHICS (2004)

  • White - 91.7%
  • Native American - 4.9%
  • Hispanic - 1.2%
  • Asian - 0.6%
  • Black - 0.6%
  • Mixed race - 1.2%